When it comes to fashion, luxury knows no bounds. From solid gold heels to diamond-encrusted designs, the world’s most expensive shoes are a sight to behold.
In this article, WoK delves into the top 10 most opulent footwear creations that transcend conventional fashion boundaries.
Moon Star Shoes by Antonio Vietri – $19.9 million
In October 2019, Italian designer Antonio Vietri debuted what was then the world’s most expensive shoe.
These shoes are crafted with solid gold, embellished with 30 carats of diamonds, and adorned with a meteorite dating back to 1576.
These extravagant heels also feature a solid-gold heel shaped like the world’s tallest building, adorned with 30 carats of diamonds.
The shoes have gained attention not only for their luxurious materials but also for their artistic and innovative approach to footwear fashion.
They were a tribute to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and were delivered via helicopter to buyers.
Diamond Shoes by Jada Dubai x Passion Jewelers – $17 million
The Passion Diamond Shoes, a collaboration between luxury footwear designer Jada Dubai and Passion Jewelers, are among the most expensive pairs of shoes in the world, valued at a staggering $17 million.
These exquisite stilettos, unveiled in 2018 at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, embody the pinnacle of luxury and craftsmanship.
Crafted from pure 24-karat gold, the Passion Diamond Shoes are adorned with nearly 240 flawless diamonds, each carefully selected for its exceptional brilliance and clarity.
The shoes feature a captivating design that seamlessly blends elegance with extravagance, making them a true masterpiece of jewelry art.
Beyond their breathtaking beauty and unparalleled value, the Passion Diamond Shoes also hold a unique distinction.
They are the first pair of shoes to be featured in the Guinness Book of World Records, cementing their place as the most expensive shoes ever created.
Debbie Wingham Heels – $15.1 million
Designed by British designer Debbie Wingham, these shoes are the second most expensive pair of footwear in the world.
These opulent stiletto heels are adorned with rare pink, blue, and white diamonds, setting them apart as a true marvel of luxury footwear.
The shoes had been commissioned by an unknown family.
They were made using 24-carat gold-painted leather, sewed with 18-carat gold thread, and adorned with very rare diamonds.
Wingham had previously created a $64 million cake and a $15.5 million dress.
Tom Ford Custom by Jason Arasheben – $2 million
These shoes are completely strewn with diamonds, made from exceptionally expensive materials, and require hundreds of hours of painstaking handwork.
The Tom Ford shoes, which were worn by Nick Cannon were custom-made by Jason Arasheben, the founder of Jason of Beverly Hills.
The loafers underwent an artistic creation process, starting with a pair of leather Tom Ford shoes, resulting in a unique and personalized design.
The shoes feature high-quality materials and impeccable craftsmanship, contributing to their luxurious appeal.
The limited availability of these shoes adds to their desirability and, consequently, their high price tag.
Louis Vuitton Manhattan Richelieu – $10,000
These luxurious shoes are made with supple alligator skin, have a hand-painted sole, and a ruthenium-finish Louis Vuitton cube fitted into the heels.
They are the most expensive LV shoes ever made.
The shoe is named after the Manhattan district of New York City, and it is designed to be a sophisticated and stylish option for men who want a classic Oxford shoe that can be dressed up or down.
The Richelieu is also notable for its use of Blake construction, which is a traditional shoemaking technique that results in a lightweight and flexible shoe.
Kathryn Wilson’s Diamond-Encrusted Pumps – $418,450
The diamond-encrusted pumps designed by Kathryn Wilson are considered to be the most expensive shoes in the world.
They are valued at approximately $420,000 and are adorned with 21.18 carats of diamonds.
The shoes were created for the Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charity Auction and were inspired by Cinderella’s glass slippers.
The shoes are so expensive because of the high cost of the materials and the labor involved in creating them.
The diamonds alone are worth over $200,000, and the lace and satin are also very high quality. The shoes are also very delicate and require careful handling.
Michael Jordan’s 1984-85 Rookie Year Jordan 1s – $420,000
Michael Jordan’s 1984-85 Rookie Year Jordan 1s are widely considered to be one of the most iconic sneakers of all time.
They were the first signature shoe for Michael Jordan, and they were released in 1985, the same year that Jordan was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.
The shoes were originally designed by Peter Moore, and they were inspired by the Nike Air Force 1.
The Jordan 1s were released in three colorways: red/white/black, blue/white/black, and white/black/red.
They were originally sold for $65, and they quickly became one of the most popular sneakers in the world.
The Jordan 1s were a revolutionary shoe at the time, and they helped to popularize the sneaker culture.
Passion Diamond Shoes – $17 million
The Passion Diamond Shoes are a pair of stiletto heels created by Jada Dubai in collaboration with Passion Jewellers.
They are made of gold, leather, and silk, and are embellished with two round 15-carat D-flawless diamonds.
The shoes were first showcased in Burj Al Arab in Dubai in 2018, and are currently for sale for $17 million.
The shoes are made from 236 grams of 18-karat gold, and the diamonds are said to be the largest flawless diamonds ever used in a pair of shoes.
The shoes also feature a leather lining and a silk insole.
Nike Air MAG Back to the Future BTTF – $58,000
The Nike Air MAG Back to the Future BTTF is a high-top sneaker that was released in limited quantities in 2011 and 2016.
It is a replica of the shoe worn by Marty McFly in the film Back to the Future Part II. The shoe features a self-lacing system, electroluminescent Nike logos, and glowing LED panels.
The 2011 release of the Nike Air MAG was limited to 1,500 pairs and was auctioned off to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
The 2016 release of the Nike Air MAG was also limited to 89 pairs and was auctioned off to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
The shoes sold for an average of $75,000 per pair, raising a total of $6.75 million for the foundation.
Air Jordan 4 Retro Eminem Carhartt – $19,984
The Air Jordan 4 Retro Eminem Carhartt is a limited edition sneaker that was released in 2015. It was a collaboration between rapper Eminem, workwear brand Carhartt, and Nike.
The sneaker features a black Carhartt canvas upper with metallic silver accents.
The heel tab features Eminem’s trademark hockey mask and the backward “E” logo of his record label, Shady Records.
The sneaker was originally released exclusively for Eminem’s friends and family, but a limited number of pairs were also sold at auction to benefit the Marshall Mathers Foundation.
The Air Jordan 4 Retro Eminem Carhartt is a highly sought-after sneaker and is often sold for well above its original retail price of $210.
