What does the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach have that no other hotel on earth has? An entire wall of shoes. Granted, this is not the most obvious choice when it comes to artwork, but this vision of shoe designer Robert Tabor actually has garnered much attention for the two-bedroom, 2,693-square-foot, oceanfront abode. Given the presidential theme of this suite, Tabor’s Shoe Wall features exquisitely designed shoe sculptures dedicated to various First Ladies throughout history from around the world.
The Hillary Clinton shoe, a blue pinstripe pump, features a heel spiked through a doghouse aptly labeled “Bill.” The cheekiness continues with the Barbara Bush shoe—a classic orthopedic wingtip in signature blue fashion with a red ribbon tie, topped by her famous three-strand pearls. The Jackie Kennedy shoe is a 60s-style square toe, covered in pink wool boucle with a jeweled-trimmed JFK political button on the lapel. The heel reflects her signature hairstyle and pillbox hat. Shoes in honor of Betty Ford, Eve (as in Adam & Eve), Evita Perón, Imelda Marcos, Margaret Thatcher, Marie Antoinette, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth are also on display.
The latest member of this elite ladies’ club is of course Michelle Obama. Her shoe, which will travel to Washington DC then return to Palm Beach, is inspired by the memorable dress she wore to the January 2009 Inauguration. A bright, sleeveless-style shoe in a lemongrass-colored lace with a velvet and jeweled bow and Obama 08 campaign button on the toe, the Michelle Obama will spawn a series of shoe-related events in collaboration with Neiman Marcus, to benefit the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County.
