The mold or pattern for a shoe is called a "last."
For general modeling possibilities, there is a Maya nurbs video of creating a shoe: http://lesterbanks.com/2011/02/maya-nurbs-tips-tricks/
Scanning: http://www.qualup.com/download/Shoe%20Last%20Digitizing%20RhinoPhoto%20Chile.pdf
ShoemasterQS6.2 is a free program. (use server2)