Damesschoen van goudtorrenleer met enkelband afgebiesd met gouddraad c. 1925

These elegant women’s shoes with ankle straps trimmed with gold thread, made by Kogels, are like a sculptural study in texture, sheen, and form. I imagine Kogels in the workshop, carefully selecting each material, attuned to the interplay of light and shadow on the metallic surfaces. The beetle leather shimmers, catching the light like a painting. Each pair probably demanded a unique process. You can see the careful stitching, the way the gold thread catches and reflects. It’s a tactile experience, even just to look at them. I wonder if Kogels was thinking of an earlier pair of shoes, or experimenting with a new technique? It’s as if they are in conversation with generations of shoemakers, riffing on tradition while pushing the boundaries of their craft. It strikes me that these shoes are much more than functional objects: they're a celebration of craft, a site of material investigation, and a testament to the transformative power of art and adornment.