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1957 | Before & after | The Cyrano last (left)
Source: LIFE magazine | January 21, 1957
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A NEW POINTED-TOE PUMP LOOKS ODD BUT FEELS GREAT
Although it seems to have been conjured up from a chiropodist’s nightmare, this startling new mum is simply the logical culmination of a trend in shoe styles. The toe, which has been steadily narrowing, now ends in the sharpest possible point.
Unlike constricting pointed shoes of 40 years ago, these are as long on confort as they are on looks. A special last allows for width at the ball of the foot, puts the point past the wearer’s toes (right).
Somewhat longer than an ordinary shoe of the same size, the new pointed-toe pump makes both the foot and the ankle look slimmer.
LIFE magazine
January 21, 1957
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1957 | Sharpened Shoes
Beth & Herbert Levine in LIFE magazine
Source: LIFE magazine | January 21, 1957
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A full page spread on LIFE magazine is an opportunity not to be missed, so the retailers were quick to capitalise on it:
We’ve been telling you the fashion importance of our Herbert Levine pointed toe pumps … now LIFE tells the facts behind our sharpened shoes.
Joseph Salon Shoes advertisementSource: Los Angeles Times | February 6, 1957
A successful example of the Cyrano last is the model “Anemone”, other noteworthy are “Madame Bowary” and “Black Rose”, both here below.
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1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
At Joseph Salon Shoes | Beverly Hills
Source: Los Angeles Times | February 6, 1957
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1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
The model “Madame Bovary” center stage
Source: The Times (Shreveport, Louisiana) | September 8, 1957
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1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine | The Cyrano Last
The model “Madame Bovary”
Source: Goldstein Museum of Design (dated 1955 - 1965)
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1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine
The model “Black Rose”
Source: Star Tribune (Minneapolis) | November 17,1957
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1957 | Beth & Herbert Levine | The Cyrano Last
The model “Black Rose”
Source: 1stdibs
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I N D E X
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1959 | Uncredited Beth & Herbert Levine's "Madame Bowary"
Photograph: Ben Somoroff
Source: Esquire magazine | January 1959
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