An extensive collection of Vivienne Westwood shoes are to go on display in London.

The display, entitled Vivienne Westwood Shoes: An Exhibition 1973-2010, charts the evolution of the iconic British designer’s collection over the last four decades. Going on display at London’s Selfridges department store on Thursday, the exhibition is to showcase almost 200 shoes from the Vivienne Westwood archive, as well as pieces from the designer’s new collection and exclusive designs from her collaboration with cult rubber designer Melissa.

“The exhibition traces the exceptional success of Westwood’s career to date and presents her outstanding artistic individuality. Illustrating her defiance of the rules of wearability and convention, the exhibition is also evidence of her uncompromising quest for superb craftsmanship and attention to detail,” said a spokesperson from the department store.

Vivienne Westwood shoes were the centerpiece of one of the fashion world’s most memorable moments when supermodel Naomi Campbell took a tumble on the catwalk while wearing the Super Elevated Gillie design in 1993. Meanwhile, her iconic Pirate Boots - which were originally designed in 1981 - have remained popular among the fashion elite to the present day.

The designer claims the towering heels on many of her shoes can help women to make the most of their natural beauty: “Shoes must have very high heels and platforms to put women’s beauty on a pedestal.”