This May, click your heels three times and say “Toronto,” where The Bata Shoe Museum will unveil a fascinating new exhibition: Standing Tall: The Curious History of Men in Heels. Opening on May 8 as part of the museum’s official launch of its 20th year, the display explores the styles — and reasons for — elevated footwear from the early 1600s to present-day fashions. Turns out the men were ahead of the game when it came to heeled footwear, adopting the trend much earlier than women. Heels designated both power and prestige, and were a visual way of proclaiming masculinity — and still are, including the heeled boots worn by cowboys and rock stars.

The upcoming exhibition includes rare examples of men’s heeled footwear from the 17th and 18th centuries, mid-19th century military boots, 1930s cowboy boots, and biker boots from the 1940s. Also on display: John Lennon’s original 1960s boots from the Beatles era, platform shoes worn by Elton John during the 1970s, and new heels from haute couture collections. Until May 2016, the museum will host a number of 20th anniversary events, including a gala birthday evening, community weekend festival, performances, lectures, workshops and commissioned art installations.