Since 2010, MIAMI Shoe Museum (MSM) founder Luis Valenzuela has curated a collection of iconic historical shoes that reflect his innovative vision. While Valenzuela's artistic journey prioritizes innovation over tradition, he recognizes history as a vital and respected tool. According to Valenzuela, studying history helps us understand how past events shape the present. 

Valenzuela's curiosity and involvement in fashion, art, and education have enabled him to amass one of the world’s finest and most exciting private shoe collections. This collection provides invaluable information for historical research across various aspects of humanity. In 2022, Valenzuela established the MSM as a virtual resource, making his historic shoe collection accessible online. The MSM now hosts over 800 shoes and related objects, all thanks to Valenzuela's dedication to preserving history through footwear. 

In 2014, during Miami Art Basel, sponsored by Art Miami, Luis Valenzuela was commissioned to curate the "All about shoes" exhibition at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Peacock Studio. With only 150 footwear pieces then, the event brought over 10,000 visitors worldwide, impressed by the collection and its historical significance. 

In 2024, Valenzuela and his team decided it was time to put all their research and knowledge to work. We opened the MSM Research Center, which is dedicated to advancing the study and technology of shoe design and sustainability.

Here at the MSM, we believe that shoes, even those made before the nineteenth century by unknown makers, offer essential insights into dramatic changes in personal taste and style. They reveal much about technological advancements and societal shifts. Footwear reflects ways of life, environmental conditions, moral viewpoints, the evolution of skills, and changing attitudes toward gender and social status. 

In the twentieth century, footwear professionals introduced groundbreaking innovations in design and materials, becoming a cornerstone of the MSM Collection. As a result, the collection has grown significantly, reflecting the evolution of modern footwear. The mid-century debut of the steel-reinforced stiletto heel marked a pivotal moment in fashion. At the same time, designers began incorporating new materials like plastics, zippers, Velcro, and advanced fibers into their creations.

The MSM Collection showcases shoes from legendary designers and manufacturers, including André Perugia, Roger Vivier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, Herbert Levine, Manolo Blahnik, and Charles Jourdan. Additionally, it features innovative works by designers like Martin Margiela, Alexander McQueen, and the House of Balenciaga, who challenge conventional forms and concepts in footwear.

Sneakers and their creators also play a vital role in the MSM Collection, highlighting their social impact and the continuous innovation in materials and design that have transformed this style over the decades.