1957 | THE HAREM SANDAL AND THE HALTER PUMP BY BETH & HERBERT LEVINE

1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
The Harem Sandal (top) and the Halter Pump
Source: The Times | October 13, 1957


NEW HERBERT LEVINE SATINS … DIVERSE AND EXCITING!

Devastating, dramatic white satin evening slippers (dyeable of course); new pace setters in the social scene, with the after-dark eloquence for which Herbert Levine is so famous.

The Harem Sandal, it’s rhinestone delineated T-strap an upturned continuation of the sole. 32.95

The Halter Pump, its entire pointed toe a myriad of rhinestones. 34.95

Source: The Times (Shreveport, Louisiana)
October 13, 1957



1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
The Harem Sandal
Source: Beth Levine Shoes (Stewart Tabori & Chang, 2009)

1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
The Harem Sandal


THE HAREM SANDAL: IS THAT THE ACTUAL NAME?

We don’t know; this is a rare case of too many sources (that’s why it’s rare) saying different things. An older ad (April 1957) calls it “T-scroll” and explains that the strap can be worn over or under the vamp; the thumbnail drawing by Ruthie Ballin (Beth’s sister) on the shoe box says “T-Square” (this must be it); Helene Verin in her book calls it “T-Flap”, and finally, the well known Saul Steinberg ad doesn’t calls it at all but makes clear we’re talking about the “Harum-scarum silhouette”.




1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
TOP LEFT: T-scroll (Clarion Ledger | April 17, 1957)
TOP RIGHT: Ruthie Ballin thumbnail drawing
BELOW: Saul Steinberg ad (detail)


1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
The Halter Pump
Source: Etsy


Besides being delightful, not much can be said about the Halter Pump; we’re still looking for additional information regarding the rhinestone work. Could it be Arpad’s like the Sea Mist or the 3,000 rhinestones pump?


BETH & HERBERT LEVINE



1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
The Halter Pump


 

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