30
THE SHOES
Step into the world of John Fluevog and discover
some of his most iconic footwear.
31
32
In fifty years we have created more than
three hundred shoe families and thousands
of different shoe styles. That’s a lot of funky
footwear. Each year, I start a new sketchbook.
I come up with the initial sketch, the feeling
of the season. My ideas are like a clear, pure
stream that trickles down a mountain and
across the desert floor. Then the design
team gathers that stream of ideas and makes
them into shoes. I also write the messages—
I call them “the thoughts of the season”—
and put them on some of the shoes. It’s these
messages that are the essence of the brand.
PREVIOUS PAGE A display of shoes at the Ottawa store, just steps away from the centre of government,
the House of Commons
33
34
FIVE KEY KICKS
1
Pilgrim
This super-pointy-toed, buckled
T-strap loafer was the first shoe I
designed for women, back in 1986.
It was based on a Victorian design
with cowboy boot influences.
It’s still one of our best sellers
thirty-five years later, although
it has updated features like the
rubber sole plate and 1.25-inch
leather-wrapped heel. Today it’s
part of the Truth family, which
is full of straight-up winners like
the Eileen, a zip-up ankle boot
with ornate buckles. “Truth and
integrity since 1970.”
2
Munster
You know the Munster. It’s the
platform shoe with the sexy,
oversized Louis XIV heel that was
made famous first by Lady Miss
Kier, who wore them on the cover
of Deee-Lite’s 1990 debut album,
World Clique, then by Madonna
who flaunted them in the 1991
movie Truth or Dare. It was the
first shoe I made completely from
scratch, from sketch to mould,
back in 1988, and it became the
symbol of the 1990s house/club
underground DJ scene. Now known
as the Mega Munster, the Original
is best remembered in classic
suede and special edition glitter,
and has been joined by variations
like the T-strap Elektra and Clique.
“Groove is in the heart.”
3
Swordfish
As dangerous as it is dashing, the
Swordfish dates back to the late
1980s, a rebellious, pointed-toe
shoe that’s been reimagined with
a distinctive toe bump. These are
the rock star royalty of the Fluevog
lineup, with descendants like the
Imperial and Marquess lines. Comes
in every style from dagger-sharp
lace-up shoes to chukka and
knee-high boots. Alice Cooper has
rocked the Swordfish for decades,
and Lady Gaga sported the
Cubist Cupcake version, a smooth
women’s lace-up boot with buckle,
in fall 2016. “Stay sharp!”
35
4
Mini
Small in name but huge in impact,
the Mini was the shoe that turned
everything around for Fluevog
Shoes in the early 2000s. It’s
cute, but it’s also tough and
comfortable, the favourite choice
of women who have to be on their
feet all day and want to make a
statement while they do it. The
Mini and its clan can be identified
by their sturdy medium-height
hourglass heel and, as often as
not, bright, whimsical colours
and patterns. The Gorgeous, for
instance, is a durable, round-toed
Mary Jane, while the Babycake is
an adorable buttoned boot named
for our baker friend who makes
the best cupcakes in Canada.
“Go on, fall in love. We dare you!”
5
Angel
One thing we know for sure, Angels
walk among us. The original Angel
sole, designed around 1992, has
begat many cherubs, all handcrafted,
clean-lined and floating on all-natural
latex soles that have been called the
most comfortable on the planet. In
fact, it’s the sole that makes this shoe
an Angel, because there are many
different styles. There are Angels
for