The Long Island Museum in Stony Brook celebrates famed shoe designer, Beth Katz Levine (1914-2006) with an exhibit continuing to January 3, 2016. Beth Levine was born in Patchogue, lived on a dairy farm in Holtsville and also at 25 West Avenue in Patchogue. She graduated from Patchogue High School in the early 1930’s.
Beth Levine is one the most influential and visionary shoe designers. Many museums and glitterati such as Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin collect her shoes. First Ladies Jackie Kennedy, Pat Nixon and Lady Bird Johnson wore Levine designed shoes. Famous clients include Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, Liza Minnelli and Cher. Barbra Streisand wore her shoes in “Funny Girl” and Nancy Sinatra’s famous white boots in “These Boots Were Made For Walkin” were Levine creations.
The exhibit features iconic footwear, photographs, memorabilia, accessories and film footage from public and private collections from her early days living in Holtsville and Patchogue to the pinnacle of the fashion world. The book “Beth Levine Shoes” by Helene Verin is available at the Patchogue-Medford Library.