LEHMANN-KIERLING, Karl. Schuh-Kunst / Shoe Art.

(Vienna): Advance Shoes Styles / Modell Frank, no date (c.1948-1950). A wonderful collection of over 275 fashion drawings for ladies shoes. The drawings originating from Vienna, the fashion capital of Austria. Whilst Vienna may not be synonymous with fashion like its metropolitan counterparts Paris and Milan, it has always been a fashionable city, one that historically has been structured by changing fashions and fashionable appearances. As can be seen with these designs there is a vigour of artisanship which gives a wink to the French and Northern Italian style. The drawings here comprise colour designs, mixed media on varying paper stock, single colour designs, pencil on paper, and drawings on transparent paper. Most drawings measuring approx. 24cm by 16cm and 20cm by 15cm and are in at least very good condition, housed in a contemporary cardboard portfolio.  Many of the drawings stamped Modell Frank and Advance Shoe Styles Vienna. Its is likely that the illustrations are templates for the Viennese publication ‘Schuh-Kunst’. The Viennese shoemakers and manufacturers advertised their latest models in the magazine, which then could be ordered.  A wonderful insight into the post-war fashion designs of Vienna which highlight the resurgence of haute couture after the austerity of the war years.