In a twist of irony that even the most skilled cobbler couldn’t stitch together, the Marikina Shoe Museum has reopened its doors, welcoming none other than Imelda Romualdez Marcos as a guest of honor.

Yes, the very same former First Lady whose vast shoe collection became a symbol of opulence and extravagance. It seems fitting, then, that she would grace the halls of a museum dedicated to the industry she inadvertently — or purposely spotlighted.

Visitors can now marvel at around 700 pairs of her once-ridiculed shoes, alongside those of past Philippine presidents. The museum offers a fascinating tutorial on traditional shoe-making, a nostalgic nod to an era before designer labels hijacked our soles and wallets.

For a minimal entrance fee, you can step into history—literally—while pondering the curious case of how shoes can tread the fine line between fashion statement and historical artifact.