Philippines Gets More Wear Out of Imelda Marcos’ Fetish for Shoes

MARIKINA, Philippines —  Imelda Marcos touched her lacy gold-and-black pumps for the first time in 15 years Friday, reminiscing as she inaugurated a museum paying tribute to the legendary collection she had to so hastily ditch.

The Shoe Museum, a monument to Marcos’ reputation as the world’s most insatiable shoe collector, opened Friday--displaying 220 of the 1,220 pairs officials found when a popular revolt forced her and the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to flee into exile in 1986.

“They went into my closets looking for skeletons, but thank God all they found were shoes, beautiful shoes,” said the former first lady, 71.

Museum officials hope the display will draw tourists to Marikina, the Manila-area city known as the nation’s shoemaking capital. Up to 40% of the city’s 550,000 residents make shoes.

The walls of the small, two-story building show shiny high heels, strappy pumps, soft leather moccasin-style shoes and other size 8 1/2 footwear from Christian Dior, Givenchy, Chanel and Ferragamo.

A few dozen pairs from former President Fidel Ramos and other celebrities also are displayed, alongside other exhibits outlining Marikina’s century-old shoemaking industry.

Sandal Street, Slipper Street and other roads attest to the industry’s importance. A pedestrian bridge in the city is covered with two giant steel shoes. A shoe statue stands before City Hall.

But officials admit the museum owes its existence to the reputation of Marcos, the city’s best-known customer and an enthusiastic supporter of the project.

Received warmly Friday, she said the museum on Shoe Street will mark a turning point in her reputation for extravagance.

“This museum [is] making a subject of notoriety into an object of beauty,” said Marcos, wearing a traditional pink dress, large emerald-green earrings and locally made silver shoes.

“More than anything, this museum will symbolize the spirit and culture of the Filipino people. Filipinos don’t wallow in what is miserable and ugly. They recycle the bad into things of beauty.”

At the height of Ferdinand Marcos’ power, the first lady gained notoriety for shopping trips to the world’s swankiest boutiques, glitzy parties and lavish beautification projects in the midst of the Philippines’ extreme poverty.

Her shoes astounded the world and became a symbol of excess.

Ferdinand Marcos’ successor, Corazon Aquino, accused the former president of stealing billions of dollars during his 20-year rule and ordered many of his assets seized.

Ferdinand Marcos died in Hawaii in 1989, without seeing his homeland again after his hasty flight. His wife returned in 1990 and ran for president twice, unsuccessfully. She is considered a possible contender for mayor of Manila in May 14 elections.

Aquino had Marcos’ shoes displayed in the presidential palace as a symbol of the former first lady’s extravagance. They were removed in 1992, and part of the collection was put on display Friday.

“These are my favorite shoes,” Marcos said with mild surprise as a museum official handed her a pair of blue sandals from behind a glass showcase.

She then told of entertaining official guests as she held a lacy black and gold pump. But she paused, obviously stumped, when handed a pair of pink leather shoes.

“I really can’t keep track anymore,” she said.