Buzz
Stuart Weitzman, a legendary name in luxury footwear, has crafted some of the most extravagant shoes in history.
Michael Tran/FilmMagicRenowned for his opulent designs and use of rare materials, Stuart Weitzman has become a staple on Oscar red carpets and among celebrities. He is credited with designing eight of the top 10 most expensive shoes globally. The remaining two pairs are iconic in their own right—one being the most famous shoes in the world, and the other a tribute to the legendary heels of a Hollywood star. Adorned with diamonds and precious gemstones, these shoes are as breathtaking as they are costly. Imagine reading this in your best Robin Leach voice for maximum impact.
10: Stuart Weitzman Diamond Dream Stilettos
Anika Noni Rose dazzled at the 2007 Oscars in the Diamond Dream stilettos, which boast an impressive 30 carats of diamonds.
Vince Bucci/Getty ImagesIf diamonds truly are a girl's best friend, these stunning shoes seem to have leaped straight out of Marilyn Monroe's fantasies. Designed for the 2007 Oscars and worn by "Dreamgirls" star Anika Noni Rose, Stuart Weitzman's Diamond Dream stilettos are a perfect blend of elegance and extravagance. Priced at $500,000, the least costly among Weitzman's Oscar creations, these shoes are adorned with 1,420 dazzling diamonds. The sandal-style heels feature two bands of diamond-studded circles at the top, inspired by Kwiat's timeless collection, where the 30 carats of diamonds were sourced. A sleek silver band across the toes enhances the delicate charm of these sparkling masterpieces, making them utterly mesmerizing.
9: Original Ruby Slippers from "The Wizard of Oz"
Only three pairs of the legendary ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz still exist today.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty ImagesThe iconic ruby slippers, which clicked their way into history, rank ninth on our list. One of the three surviving pairs, Judy Garland's famous shoes from "The Wizard of Oz," sold for an astounding $612,000 at Christie's auction house. Another pair was listed at the Icons of Hollywood Auction in late 2011 with a starting bid of $2 million but received no offers. The third pair is proudly displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of History in Washington, D.C., where visitors can admire them for free. A fourth pair, once housed at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minn., was stolen in a daring heist in 2005 and remains missing.
8: Stuart Weitzman "Marilyn Monroe" Shoes
The Swarovski crystal earrings once owned by Marilyn Monroe are now embedded in these $1 million Stuart Weitzman heels.
Todd Williamson/FilmMagicThese sophisticated nude evening shoes feature a satin rose embellished with a cluster of sparkling Swarovski crystals. These crystals are no ordinary gems—they were once cherished earrings belonging to Marilyn Monroe. Actress Regina King wore these heels to the 2005 Oscars, where she was nominated for her role in "Ray." After the event, Weitzman replaced Monroe's earrings with replicas and auctioned the shoes at the Celebrity Rags 4 Charity Riches auction, where they fetched an impressive $1 million.
7: Stuart Weitzman Retro Rose Pumps
Screenwriter Diablo Cody declined the opportunity to wear these $1 million shoes to the 2008 Oscars.
Toby Canham/Getty ImagesWeitzman's retro-inspired pumps, designed in a 1940s style with a classic t-strap, are valued at $1 million. The toe features rose ornaments crafted from 100 carats of 1,800 Kwiat diamonds, with an additional 400 Kwiat diamonds embedded in the shoes. These heels sparked controversy at the 2008 Oscars when Weitzman chose Diablo Cody, nominated for best original screenplay for "Juno," to wear them. Cody, who won the Oscar that night, declined, calling the offer a "cheesy publicity stunt."
6: Stuart Weitzman Platinum Guild Stilettos
Laura Harring made a glamorous entrance at the 74th Oscars in 2002, wearing these luxurious heels.
Vince Bucci/Getty ImagesThese stunning strappy stilettos were crafted from platinum fabric and embellished with 464 dazzling diamonds from Kwiat. The round and pear-shaped diamonds were designed to be detachable, allowing them to double as jewelry. These were the first million-dollar shoes created for an Oscar nominee to wear on the big night, and Laura Harring, star of "Mulholland Drive," was the fortunate recipient. With a price tag of $1.09 million, stepping on her toes would be a costly mistake.
5: Stuart Weitzman Ruby Slippers
These exquisite red slippers were also showcased in Tokyo in 2003.
Koichi Kamoshida/Getty ImagesPriced at $1.6 million, these "Wizard of Oz"-inspired heels are a masterpiece of luxury far beyond Kansas. The elegant stilettos feature a cherry red insole, a delicate red satin upper, and are adorned with 642 exquisite Burma rubies. The settings alone use half a pound of platinum, with a total gem weight of 123.33 carats. Originally planned for a 2003 red carpet debut, their unveiling was postponed due to the somber mood during the Iraq War. Later that year, they were displayed at Harrod's in London.
4: Stuart Weitzman Tanzanite Heels
These breathtaking shoes are the result of a collaboration between Stuart Weitzman and renowned jewelry designer Eddie Le Vian. The evening sandals are made of silver leather, with an ankle strap resembling a royal necklace rather than a simple accessory. Adorned with 185 carats of vibrant blue tanzanite and 28 carats of diamonds, the strap features a stunning 16-carat tanzanite pendant. A toe strap embellished with tiny diamonds completes the design. For $2 million, these luxurious heels could be yours.
3: Stuart Weitzman Cinderella Slippers
Valued at $2 million, these slippers may not be glass, but they are packed with dazzling gemstones.
KMazur/WireImageInspired by Cinderella's rags-to-riches tale, these dazzling shoes are crafted from Italian leather. The intricate lace-like design on the ankle and toe straps features 565 Kwiat diamonds set in platinum. The right slipper boasts a rare 5-carat amaretto diamond, valued at over $1 million, adding a subtle touch of color. Country singer Alison Krauss had the honor of wearing these slippers to the 2004 Oscars. The 4-inch transparent stiletto heels were designed to blend seamlessly, ensuring the spotlight remained on the shimmering diamonds.
2: Stuart Weitzman Rita Hayworth Heels
Singer Kathleen "Bird" York graced the 2006 Oscars in these luxurious heels.
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesNamed after the iconic Rita Hayworth, these heels were inspired by a pair of earrings cherished by the late actress. The open-toed design features rust-colored satin (akin to burnt sienna) and is adorned with rubies, sapphires, and diamonds set in a satin ruffle at the toe. Valued at an astonishing $3 million, these heels are not for sale—they belong to Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Rita Hayworth's daughter.
1: Harry Winston Ruby Slippers
In 1989, Ronald Winston, son of renowned jeweler Harry Winston, sought to commemorate the 50th anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz" in grand style. After meticulously setting 4,600 rubies over two months, the House of Harry Winston revealed their extravagant take on the iconic ruby slippers. These lavish shoes feature 1,350 carats of rubies and 50 carats of diamonds, placing them in a league of their own. Priced at $3 million, they far surpass the original slippers, which were adorned with simple red sequins. However, their value could one day be eclipsed by an authentic pair of the film's ruby slippers.
Recall the original ruby slippers we mentioned earlier, which were listed for auction in late 2011 with a starting bid of $2 million? Although they didn't sell, the auction house noted they were in "mint condition with minor circular scuffs on the red soles," suggesting they might have been worn during close-up scenes of Judy Garland clicking her heels and saying, "there's no place like home." If these slippers return to auction, the right collector could pay $2 to $3 million. Indeed, we believe Dorothy's ruby slippers are the ultimate contenders for the title of the world's most expensive shoes.
