15.09.2010- Shoes, shoes and more shoes

September 23rd sees the launch of the much anticipated shoe galleries at Selfridges on Oxford Street. Re-imagined by architect Jamie Fobert, the new space is home to several designer 'apartments' where you can browse shoes designed by Christian Louboutin, Prada, Chanel, Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Fendi. Complimenting these beautifully envisaged boutiques are the designer rooms, which house the creations of designers including Rupert Sanderson, Nicholas Kirkwood and Isabel Marant. The galleries are completed by exclusive footwear concessions from high street favourites including River Island and Topshop, as well as go-to shoe shops including Office and Kurt Geiger.

As if that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, Fobert has also incorporated a restaurant into his design. Aubaine, the contemporary French bistro, takes up residence alongside the most extensive (and expensive) shoe department in the world, and, to celebrate the launch, the head pâtissier has created a limited edition ballet shoe madeline, which sounds too cute for words. The windows of Selfridges on Oxford Street have also been transformed to further showcase the shoe-mania:

Pretty cool, no? I'll be sure to have a good nosey when I'm next in Selfridges, as the space sounds like it really does have to be seen to be believed. You can find out more about the shoe galleries by visiting selfridges.com.

And, as if you needed further proof that shoes really are worth worshipping, Sadler's Wells today announced that Shoes, a dance piece based entirely on our obsession with footwear will be transferring to the West End early next year. The production, directed by Stephen Mear, has received some outstanding reviews, and one of my best friends Liz went to see it last week; she really enjoyed it, so I'll definitely be booking to see it soon.

What do you think of the Selfridges shoe galleries? Will you be visiting? And will you be seeing Shoes?

(Image credit: Selfridges on facebook.)