Helen Arpels Designer Pumps

These 1970's Helene Arpels vintage shoes came from one of my favorite estates of exceptional designer vintage clothing from the 1940's through the 1970's. This woman owned truly nothing but the best and bought these shoes on a trip to New York in the 70's. These are beautiful, classic leather pumps are a neutral beige color, with nice cut detail at the sides and heels that are just under 2". These vintage shoes are shown with a pair of shown separately) and are labeled a size 8B. Excellent condition, other than the minor sole scuffs shown.

Helene Arpels was half of the famous jewelry marriage duo "Van Cleef and Arpels." Helene was born in Monte Carlo to Russian parents, and was a fashion model who became well known among Paris and New York’s high society. She was known as the image of French elegance, and was voted onto the world’s 10 Best-Dressed List in 1949 and stayed on the list for the next 10 years. People who knew her said that she turned heads wherever she went and was the epitome of elegance and style. She supposedly even liked to wear diamonds on her shoes “After all,” she said, “diamonds go with everything.” Helene Arpels shoes are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume institute.