As the air gets brisk and the leaves turn colors, we at shoeblog want you to know that you can face the new season with confidence. Get ready to put away your sandals and tie on some booties because it’s contest time! This season we are giving away a pair of deliciously smart booties with built-in comfort and a fascintating history, to boot: the Bernardo Sahara Booties (retail value of about $169)

Check out other colors and fabrics for this divine bootie here.

Owning these shoes is like owning a piece of history. We have discussed Bernardo’s rich history of shoeblog before, but I’ll recap for you a little bit. The company was founded by Bernard Rudofsky in 1947. Bernard was actually an architect, as well as a designer who insisted that the shoe and clothing trends of the day were not rational. He believed that (and this may shock you!) shoes should actually be designed with the shape of a person’s foot in mind! To recognize how revolutionary this is, think of all the times you have tried on a shoe that seems to have no available space for your little toe or that curves in at the back to cut into your heel. These are just small examples of the issues Bernard wanted to rectify.

His shoes rapidly became celebrity favorites and were widely featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar througout the 60s and early 70s. Here are some Vintage images:

Bernardo Vogue 1

Vogue September 1st 1967, Bernardo ad p.164.

Bazaar Bernardo 1Bazaar Bernardo 2

Harper’s Bazaar June 1965, product placement page 50, and page 51.

And my absolute favorite:

Bernardo Vogue Sandal Dress

Vogue May 1st 1968, Bernardo “The Sandal Dress”. One piece that reaches from shoulders to toes, made to order. Product placement p.252.

As you can see, Bernardo brought class, style, and comfort to the fashion mavens of the 60s and the company is still doing so today. For a chance to win the Bernardo Sahara Booties, all you have to do is comment on this post. That’s it! No forms to fill out, no strings! Imagine the joy of wearing a little piece of history on your feet all through the winter. The winner will be able to choose from an array of colors and fabrics (based on availability of course. If it says “sold out” look to another color).

You’ll have until Tuesday, November 11th to comment; we’ll announce the winner shortly after. Good luck and get to commenting!