TAKE FIVE: LIBERACE’S SHOES COME OUT OF THE CLOSET

Friday, Sept. 1, 2006 | 7:17 a.m.

The Liberace Museum reached into the late entertainer's closet this summer, dusted off 30 pairs of shoes and is displaying them in its first new exhibit in 10 years.

Some of the kicky slides were left behind when Liberace's costumes were auctioned. The shoes were in horrendous condition and had been retired after tours. Fashion designer Karan Feder - the name behind the campy pop-heavy purses and T-shirts in the museum's gift shop - led a small group in dolling up the custom-made footwear.

But researching the shoes' history wasn't always easy. Darrin Hollingsworth, executive director of the Liberace Foundation, says photos of the late performer were often taken from the knees up.

"While the shoes were created to the nth degree, there was so much going on up top that the shoes didn't always get their day in the sun," Hollingsworth says.

So how many rhinestones are on them? "I don't think we counted," he says.

Catch the shoes Sept. 10 through the end of the year at the museum's costume gallery at 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. (798-5595)