Footwear is a necessity for every person, but the most expensive designer shoes in the world will only be seen on a millionaire’s foot. The sky-high price on these objects of feet covering are attributed to their exclusiveness in design and materials, making them highly desirable amongst the wealthiest fashion advocates. From diamond-encrusted stilettos to satin pumps with detailed decorations, these shoes are more than just fashion, they’re artisan masterpieces.
For the 7 most frugal billionaires in the world, which we covered in an earlier article, spending a fortune on shoes won’t be in the cards. However, rich collectors are more than willing to spend $1 million for one of the items on our list. But what could possibly make a piece of footwear so pricey? Well, let’s take a look at the most expensive designer shoes in the world and discover what makes them so unique (and expensive).
9. Stuart Weitzman Diamond Dream Stilettos
Price: $500,000
Created for actress Anika Noni Rose to wear at the 2007 Academy Awards ceremony, these glamorous stilettos are quite noteworthy. The sandals feature two bands encrusted with 1,420 diamonds (30 carats in total), formed into circles, giving them a sense of symmetry. However, they are considered one of Weitzman’s “cheaper” Oscar creations.
This is not the last appearance on the list by Weitzman; in fact, he pretty much dominates it. Keep reading to see which of the eight most expensive designer shoes in the world are his creations, and whether he could nab the top spot.
8. Stuart Weitzman “Marilyn Monroe” Shoes
Price: $1 million
These evening sandals were crafted out of leather and adorned with a satin rose. However, their real value comes from the Swarovski crystals webbed into the rose, which were once Marilyn Monroe’s earrings. After being worn by Regina King at the Oscars in 2005, Weitzman replaced the original earrings with replicas and auctioned off the shoes to one very wealthy buyer.
7. Stuart Weitzman Retro Rose Pumps
Price: $1 million
Are you starting to see a pattern yet? Weitzman’s 2008 footwear creation was assigned to “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody, who refused to show off the diamond-clad retro heels because of its publicity value. Nonetheless, the 1940’s style shoes are quite the stunner, with rose ornaments on the toes carrying 100 carats worth of Kwiat diamonds (1,800 in all) and another 400 diamonds incorporated in the shoe itself.
6. Stuart Weitzman’s “Ruby Slippers”
Price: $1.6 million
These ruby red stiletto sandals are the brilliant combination of satin and 642 Burma rubies that boast a total carat count of 123.33. Furthermore, the settings required half a pound of platinum, which surely add to the expensive price tag (and weight of the shoes).
5. Stuart Weitzman Platinum Guild Stilettos
Price: $1.9 million
As the first pair of shoes to ever be custom made for an Oscar night, these stilettos are quite sassy. Made out of platinum fabric, the straps are adorned with a total of 464 round and pear-shaped diamonds. Their unique quality: the diamonds can be removed and worn as jewellery. Actress Laura Harring was the lucky gal to present these shoes, although she had to be accompanied to the ceremony by three bodyguards to protect the footwear from harm.
4. Stuart Weitzman Tanzanite Heels
Price: $2 million
Clearly, Mr. Weitzman has a knack for creating outer-wordly expensive shoes, and as the prices on our list keep growing, so does the carat count. This silver leather masterpiece required the helping hand of jewellery designer Eddie Le Vian, who helped create the opulent ankle strap décor. 200 carats of Tanzanite gems form a mesmerizing blue ensemble that resembles a royal necklace, while 28-carat diamonds cover the front strap.
3. Stuart Weitzman Cinderella Slippers
Price: $2 million
Much like the Disney princesses’ glass slippers, these Italian leather sandals made their appearance for only one night at the 2004 Academy Awards ceremony. With 565 Kwiat diamonds laid out on the two front straps to resemble lace, this glittery piece of art is quite the spectacle. However, its scandalous price is due to the 5-carat amaretto diamond placed on the strap, which is valued at $1 million.
2. Stuart Weitzman Rita Hayworth Heels
Price: $3 million
Inspired by yet another Hollywood diva – Rita Hayworth – these classy peep-toe pumps are dressed completely in chocolate brown satin and feature a delicately crafted satin flower. But their real perk is, once again, the centre of the flower: one of Hayworth’s earrings, made out of rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. It seems only right that the diva’s daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan holds ownership over these shoes.
1. Harry Winston Ruby Slippers
Price: $3 million
1989 was a special year in many regards, but in this case it was the 50th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz” which made the headlines. In homage to the movie, Ronald Winston (jewelry design Harry Winston’s son) decided to create a replica of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, but using real stones instead of sequins. The result was an outstanding shoe creation, featuring 4600 rubies and 50-carat diamonds, which took a total of two months to complete. For all his hard work, dedication, and vision, these slippers take the crown as the most expensive designer shoes in the world.
