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Got Shoes on the Brain? Honor Your Passion With the 45th Edition of ‘Shoes A–Z’ — How to Buy the Bestselling Book Online

Just like us, this multilingual tome is shamelessly obsessed with the most influential shoe designs in history. Waste no time in scoring the hardcover gem today.

By Stacia Datskovska Plus Icon

Stacia Datskovska

Senior Commerce Writer for WWD

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January 16, 2026, 9:27pm

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cover of the hardcover book "shoes a-z" over a background of red heels in a pattern

Courtesy Taschen, Mensent Photography/Getty Images

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The secret is out: We’re footwear evangelists around here, constantly praising the latest and/or most iconic releases across shoe categories like celebrity-worn pumps, award-winning sneakers, and everything in between. While we write about shoes day in and day out, none of us has actually produced a full-fledged book on the topic — which is where the “Shoes A–Z” release from German publishing house Taschen, behind other popular titles like “Ultimate Collector Watches” and “Costume Jewelry,” comes in to save the day.

Offering up a detailed, image-rich journey through the shoe collection at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s museum in New York City, the tome is Footwear News–approved and already occupies prime real estate on our editors’ coffee tables. The book’s 45th edition is out on Amazon and has secured the #4 spot in the retailer’s “New Releases in Fashion History” section — beating out the “Little Book of Ralph Lauren” and the explainer on Charli XCX’s fashion evolution that’s available to pre-order now.

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‘Shoes A-Z’ by Daphne Guinness

$30

Buy Now at amazon

Price upon publish date of this article: $30

No matter if you own dozens of the world’s most coveted heels or are simply interested in augmenting your knowledge of this fashion category, know that the 512-pager will enlighten and delight in equal measure. It’s penned by Daphne Guinness, after all, who is a designer (having collaborated on collections with Comme des Garçons and consulted for Gucci), a fashion muse, a proponent of all things avant-garde, and, yes, the heiress of Guinness’ brewing empire. Alongside custom portraits by German illustrator Robert Nippoldt, Guinness walks readers through what the work’s description calls “four centuries of fashion’s hardest working accessory.”

A Roger Vivier devotee? You’ll learn all about his original “Belle Vivier” pump and other silhouettes that arguably changed the course of fashion history — spotted on the feet of everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Melania Trump. So too will the Manolo Blahnik fanatics among us be treated to depictions and explanations of styles that Carrie Bradshaw would never have dreamed of, displayed next to never-before-heard quotes from the Spanish fashion legend himself.

Inside “Shoes A-Z.” Courtesy Taschen

What’s curious is that the chapters are not all written in English (hence the edition being deemed “multilingual”). You’ll catch up on Blahnik’s best in German and flip to an examination of other pivotal designers in French. In other words, there’s never a dull moment in “Shoes A-Z,” which pays homage to the likes of Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Christian Louboutin — immortalizing the fashion houses’ legacies and expounding on their cultural impact beyond the industry. So too are words here contributed by Valerie Steele, fashion historian and director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as the institution’s senior curator of costume, Colleen Hill, and other leading curators. Close-ups of studded, ahead-of-their-time Alaïa booties and gravity-defying creations from the hand of Alexander McQueen are interspersed with sketches, vintage advertisements, and other surprises.

More than 400 styles from the FIT Museum’s archive are granted the spotlight in “Shoes A-Z,” and the progress of luxury shoes — all the way up until the present day — is traced with care and impressive expertise.

Ready to brush up on your foreign language skills and learn the origin story behind your favorite pair of going-out stilettos? You can now do so for just $30, with free, two-day shipping attached for footwear aficionados with a Prime membership.

Sign up for WWD Shop’s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

‘Shoes A-Z’ by Daphne Guinness

$30

Buy Now at amazon

Price upon publish date of this article: $30

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Why Trust Footwear News

For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.

More About WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska frequently covers iconic footwear and its relevant literature.

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Got Shoes on the Brain? Honor Your Passion With the 45th Edition of ‘Shoes A–Z’ — How to Buy the Bestselling Book Online

Recent Articles by Stacia Datskovska

Related Articles

‘Shoes A-Z’ by Daphne Guinness

‘Shoes A-Z’ by Daphne Guinness

Shop Modern-Day Bestsellers From the Featured Shoe Designers

Christian Louboutin Rosa Z Crystal Embellished Transparent Slingback Sandal

Alaïa Shearling Mule

Roger Vivier Viv Rangers Crystal Buckle Loafer

Dolce & Gabbana Portofino Patch-Detail Leather Sneaker

Ferragamo Varina Leather Ballet Flat

Why Trust Footwear News

More About WWD

Meet the Author

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WWD Recommends

Ferran Torres Talks World Cup and That Hat

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