By Joy Ndubueze

From diamonds and gold to unique designs by legendary fashion houses, the most expensive shoes in the world embody opulence and exclusivity.

In this article, we delve into the realm of luxury footwear to explore the top 10 most expensive shoes ever created, each pair a testament to the artistry and extravagance that define the pinnacle of fashion.

World’s Most expensive shoes

The Moon Star Shoes by Antonio Vietri – $19.9 million

The “Moon Star Shoes,” showcased in 2019 during the MIDE Fashion Week in Dubai, are the world’s most expensive shoes. Made from solid gold and adorned with 30 carats of diamonds, they also feature a piece of a 1576 meteorite from Argentina. Designed by Antonio Vietri, known for creating the first 24k gold shoes in 2017, these shoes pay tribute to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

Passion Diamond Shoes by Jada Dubai and passion jewellers – $17 million

The “Passion Diamond Shoes,” created by Maria Majari of Jada Dubai and Hemant Karamchandani of Passion Jewelers, epitomize luxury footwear. Made from real gold and adorned with nearly 240 diamonds, including two 15-carat D-flawless diamonds at the toe, they command a high price. These shoes were first showcased at the Burj Al Arab, the world’s only 7-star hotel.

Debbie Wingham High Heels – $15.1 million

Unveiled in 2017, the Debbie Wingham high heels rank among the world’s most expensive shoes. Designed by British designer Debbie Wingham and Florida artist Chris Campbell, these heels were commissioned by a Dubai family as a unique birthday gift. They feature 3-carat pink and 1-carat blue diamonds, four 3-carat diamonds, and 1,000 pointer diamonds set in platinum. The shoes include solid gold zippers and plaques, 18-carat gold thread stitching, 24-carat gold paint, rose gold accents, and a leather Iranian jasmine flower centerpiece.

Shoes thrown at President George W. Bush – $10 million

On December 14, 2008, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a Baghdad press conference, shouting, “This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog!” in protest of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Bush managed to dodge the shoes. Al-Zaidi became a hero in the Arab world, inspiring a statue in Tikrit and earning recognition as one of the world’s most powerful Arabs. Despite serving six months in prison for assault, he expressed no regrets. The incident led to online shoe-throwing games and a spike in sales for the Turkish company that made the shoes, with 300,000 pairs ordered in a week.

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Harry Winston Ruby Slippers – $3 million

Created in 1989 to mark the 50th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz,” the Harry Winston Ruby Slippers differ from Judy Garland’s original sequin-adorned pair. These slippers feature 1,350 carats of rubies and 50 carats of diamonds, with 4,600 rubies meticulously placed over two months.

Rita Hayworth Heels by Stuart Weitzman – $3 million

The Stuart Weitzman Rita Hayworth Heels, designed by renowned American shoemaker Stuart Weitzman, are among the priciest shoes in the world. Named after the iconic Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth, known for films like “Gilda,” these heels feature earrings that once belonged to Hayworth herself. The heels are owned by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Hayworth’s daughter, who is notable for her Alzheimer’s awareness advocacy.

Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Sneakers – $2.2million

In 1998, Michael Jordan wore black and red Air Jordan 13 sneakers during Game 2 of his final NBA championship. These sneakers became the most expensive ever sold at auction, fetching $2.2 million at Sotheby’s in New York. They are significant for being worn during “The Last Dance,” Jordan’s farewell season with the Chicago Bulls, which is also the subject of a popular ESPN and Netflix documentary.

Stuart Weitzman’s “Cinderella Slippers” – $2 million

The Stuart Weitzman Cinderella Slippers, among the world’s most expensive shoes, were famously worn by Alison Krauss at the 2004 Oscars. Crafted from fine Italian leather, these slippers are adorned with 565 Kwiat diamonds and feature a rare 5-carat amaretto diamond valued over $1 million. The design includes a clear 4-inch stiletto heel to make the shoe’s structure “disappear,” creating a true “Cinderella moment” for its wearer.

Stuart Weitzman’s Tanzanite Heels – $2 million

The Stuart Weitzman Tanzanite Heels are among the world’s most expensive shoes. Created in collaboration with Eddie Le Vian of Le Vian Jewelry, these heels feature straps adorned with 185 carats of tanzanite and 28 carats of diamonds. The 4.5-inch heels are encrusted with 595 carats of Kwiat diamonds set in platinum.

Tom Ford Custom by Jason Arasheben – $2 million

The Tom Ford Custom shoes, designed by Jason Arasheben for Nick Cannon, feature over 14,000 full-cut round white diamonds set in white gold, totaling 340 carats. Crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, the customization took over 2,000 hours and nearly a year to complete.

This article and images were culled from Forbes India.

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