Beth Levine: First Lady of Shoes

Bellevue Arts Museum showcases the divine designs of the shoe goddess 

Forget Blahnik and Choo and Ferragamo—one of the world’s most influential shoe designers is someone whose name most people have never heard before. Beth Levine (1914–2006) started out as a shoe model in New York City, and in the 1950s began designing footwear under her husband’s name (Herbert Levine, with whom she owned a shoe factory). In the fashion industry, Levine is considered a true visionary—attributed with popularizing high fashion mules, boots (including Nancy Sinatra’s white go-go boots from “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’”) and stilettos (thanks a lot, Beth). Herself a teensy size 4 (!), she designed shoes for Jackie O and Bette Davis, among other famous fashionistas. The Bellevue Arts Museum is the only U.S. venue to host Beth Levine: First Lady of Shoes, an extensive exhibit of her work (organized by the Dutch Leather and Shoe Museum) featuring more than 100 designs. Are you ready, boots? Start walkin’. 2/18–6/6. Times and prices vary. Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue; 425.519.0770