Introduction
Raymond Massaro was a master shoemaker whose work with Chanel produced the beige-and-black elasticated slingback introduced in 1957. The design refined an earlier two-tone idea into a repeatable shoe that optically extended the leg while protecting the toe.
The relationship between Chanel and Maison Massaro continued for decades, and the shoemaker entered the Paraffection network through acquisition in 2002. Massaro’s role belongs to both the founder’s post-war wardrobe and the later institutional preservation of specialist footwear knowledge.
Design ethos
Massaro’s approach joined visual correction to practical engineering. Colour division altered the apparent proportion of the foot, while the elasticated strap allowed a stable fit without adding visual weight.
The shoe was conceived as part of a total silhouette rather than an independent statement. Its restraint made it compatible with couture, daywear and the house’s later ready-to-wear system.
Disclaimer
Career history
1957
Raymond Massaro engineered Chanel’s beige-and-black elasticated slingback in 1957. The colour division altered the apparent proportion of the foot, while the practical strap completed the movement-led logic of the post-war wardrobe.
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