Men in heels the focus of new Toronto exhibit

Elton John's Ferradini Platforms are shown in a photo from the Bata Shoe Museum.

TORONTO — The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto is hosting a new exhibit opening May 8 called "Standing Tall: The Curious History of Men in Heels."

The show looks at men's footwear from the early 17th century to the present, including its history, variety, function and significance. The exhibit will be on view through June 2016.

The show also serves to celebrate the museum's 20th anniversary.

Exhibits will range from military boots to cowboy and biker boots to footwear worn by John Lennon and Elton John, along with footwear from the musical "Kinky Boots" and current heeled fashions for men. Some early examples of men's heeled footwear were heeled riding boots that helped men secure their feet in stirrups.

Men's riding shoes from Uzbekistan, dating back to 1850, are shown in this Bata Shoe Museum photo.

A pair of Canadian boots, designed and made by Master John in 1973, are shown in this Bata Shoe Museum photo.