Andy Warhol | Shoe Illustrations.
March 2, 2019 § Leave a comment
When most people think of Andy Warhol they think of his Campbell Soup cans or his Marilyn Monroe portrait, but when I think of Andy Warhol I think of his shoe illustrations and that he was the chief illustrator in the 1950s for I. Miller shoes when my grandfather was the General Manager. I like to think they may have worked together, but lately, I look at this shoe ad of one of my grandfather’s designs and I have to wonder did he illustrate it? The photos below were taken at The Whitney Museum of Art. The Warhol exhibit is running through the end of March. I was struck by how prolific he was as an artist and how at the time he was creating his pop art many didn’t think it was art and I assume there are some now that still don’t, but regardless of what you think about his art, he captured the 20th century creating a better time capsule for future generations than one could ever have imagined through his portraits, illustrations, and films.
The Historialist Of Shoes And Shoemakers: Ben Benjamin I. Miller
Freed Pointe Shoes
August 12, 2018 § 1 Comment
My sister, former dancer turned television writer Liz Benjamin shared with me a video circulating on social media on how Freed pointe shoes are made. She reminded me that our grandfather, Ben Benjamin always wanted to inspect her point shoes, especially when she had switched from Capezio to Freed. She said he was fascinated by the workmanship. Watch the short video above and you’ll see why!
Pain, satin and paper towels: What it takes for ballerinas to dance on their toes Washington Post May 26, 2017
Heavenly Bodies At The Met Cloisters.
July 30, 2018 § Leave a comment
I finally made it to see the rest of the Met Fashion exhibit Heavenly Bodies at The Met Cloisters today and wanted to make sure I posted some of the pictures right away before I get too busy again and forget. It doesn’t disappoint. Again this is one of the most beautiful fashion exhibits I’ve ever seen at The Met. The scope and sheer magnitude of it is incredible. The exhibit like the one at the 5th Avenue Met is infused throughout with music creating a cinematic mood. Here is just a small sampling of what’s there.
Thinking Of Spring.
April 27, 2018 § Leave a comment
Ben Benjamin, 1934 & Salvatore Ferragamo, 2015.
April 14, 2018 § Leave a comment
Steve Madden Buys Schwartz and Benjamin.
December 20, 2017 § Leave a comment
For the record.
Steve Madden Snaps Up Schwartz & Benjamin FN 1/30/17

Ben Schwartz with daughter Bebe

Ben Benjamin (Left)
Labor Day, Saying Goodbye To Summer.
September 4, 2017 § 1 Comment
For most of us Labor Day marks the end of Summer, the beginning of the school year and a time to get together with our family and friends, but for some it’s the last day you can wear white. Raised in casual Florida I never understood when my Southern friends would start wearing their white pants in May and then put them away after Labor Day. I love the look and there’s no hard and fast rule anymore. White clothes tend to be made of lighter fabrics so it just makes sense that we wouldn’t wear them in the Winter, unless of course you’re some place warm.