The most iconic shoes of all time
In celebration of the V&A's major summer shoe exhibition, we name fashion's most iconic shoes, as worn by some of the world's most stylish women:
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Rex FeaturesCinderella’s glass slipper
Living proof that the right shoes do make dreams come true is Cinderella’s glass slippers. Magical footwear has cropped up in fairytales throughout history, offering transformative powers, both good and bad.
GettySpice Girls’ Buffalo platforms
The Spice Girls sparked many trends – Union Jack dresses, bunches and leopard print anything – but none were as ubiquitous as the platform Buffalo trainers they all wore. Every girl under 15 wanted a pair whether they could walk in them or not. You can, in fact, still
buy the original 10cm-high platforms for $219 (£138).
WennAlexa Chung’s hunter wellies
In truthfulness, it was Kate Moss, not Alexa Chung, that made Hunter wellies a venerable festival fashion favourite, but Alexa still wears them well. The brand was established in 1856 and aimed to create boots to shield “pioneers from the elements and the bleakest of landscapes”. Pretty much Glastonbury then.
Rex FeaturesAudrey Hepburn in ballet flats
The footwear of choice for feminine, elegant girls who want to be comfortable as well as stylish, ballet flats were first worn by ballet dancers in the 16th century. In Medieval times, they fell out of fashion as heels became a favourite with the wealthy, but they returned again after Audrey Hepburn wore them in Funny Face in 1957.
Rex FeaturesDuchess of Cambridge’s nude LK Bennetts
The Duchess of Cambridge’s nude LK Bennett’s court shoes are a quintessential part of her style, reflecting her understated, timeless approach to fashion. Since her unofficial patronage of the brand began, LK Bennett has expanded internationally and its nude pumps are now a best-seller.
Rex FeaturesDaphne Guinness’s Armadillo heels
There aren’t many shoes as extreme as the claw-like Armadillo shoes designed by Alexander McQueen and first worn by heiress Daphne Guinness, who maintains that the 12inch heels were “were actually very light and comfortable”. The only other star to have worn them is, of course, Lady Gaga.
Rex FeaturesDorothy’s ruby red slippers
Arguably one of the most iconic shoe styles of all time, Dorothy Gale’s ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz are the stuff of shoe folklore and protected the lead from the Wicked Witch of the West. The shoes were in reality silver – the colour was changed to red later on. Created by Gilbert Adrian, the slippers were made using 2,300 sequins, butterfly-shaped bows, Swarovski crystals, red glass beads and sparkling organza.
PACelebrities all over wearing Louboutins
Christian Louboutin idea to colour the bottom of his shoes red has ensured that his designs are among the most recognisable in the world. In 2012, he won a lengthy legal battle with Yves Saint Laurent after claiming the brand copied his scarlet soles. He has since trademarked the signature and his creations are worn by the great and good of celebrities, from Sarah Jessica Parker to Kate Moss.
Rex FeaturesKate Moss in pirate boots
Vivienne Westwood knew long ago that dressing like a rock ‘n’ roll pirate was a chic thing to do and henceforth created the slouchy suede pirate boots in 1981, which became firm favourites of Kate Moss and Sienna Miller. What we wouldn’t give to own a pair of these perennially cool boots.
Rex FeaturesThe Vivienne Westwood platforms that nearly broke Naomi Campbell
Falling over on the catwalk is far from ideal, but who could blame Naomi Campbell when she toppled over in 1993 when wearing Vivienne Westwood’s treacherously high platforms? The heels are a staggering 30.5cm high.
GettyPatti Smith's Converse
Nothing gives an air of pared-down cool like a pair of Converse, a favourite of rock 'n' roll poet Patti Smith.
Rex FeaturesRun DMC’s Superstar trainers
We hate to generalise, but rappers love trainers and there is no footwear pairing greater than Run DMC and their Adidas Superstar trainers. The classic basketball was worn without laces, a look that allegedly peeved Adidas at the time, but the brand execs soon changed their minds when the hip-hop group asked a sea of fans at a concert to hold their three striped sneakers high in the air. A long-term partnership followed suit.
Rex FeaturesSienna Miller's UGGs
We’ve got to hand it to Sienna Miller for turning Aussie-born sheepskin boots into something everyone wanted to wear. They may not be as widely worn now, but back in 2004 when Sienna wore them with a ruffled mini dress, everyone was desperate to own a pair. They’re still among the snuggest, comfiest boots we own.
PACarrie Bradshaw’s wedding slippers
Manolo Blahnik was far from a small time designer when Carrie Bradshaw hit our screens in his glorious shoes, but the brand’s frequent appearance on Sex and the City made him an international renowned fashion superstar. There are a million pairs that we lusted over, but most famous are the blue jewelled courts that she wore when she finally married Mr Big.
Rex FeaturesTaylor Swift’s brogues
Ok fine, Taylor Swift didn’t make brogues iconic – Diane Keaton as Annie Hall did, but we love the way she wears them anyway. Brogues give everything an androgynous, tougher edge, which works well for anyone whose style is as girly as Swift’s.
Rex FeaturesAgyness Deyn’s Dr Martens
Dr Martens have been the boot of choice for all grunge and punk kids for decades. Its popularity begun with Pete Townsend, Kurt Cobain and Sid Vicious; it became a uniform for the rebellious and young. Now, they have a wider appeal but still have a similarly tough, defiant appeal, worn by Agyness Deyn, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus.
