The theme for this year’s Met Gala, set to take place on Monday in New York City, is “Costume Art,” and the dress code is “Fashion Is Art.” While the annual charity gala theme is always interpreted in a wide range of ways, this year we can expect guests and their stylists to hone in on the connection between clothing and the artistry and craftsmanship behind it.
In honor of this theme, FN curated a list of shoes which could be considered works of art in their own right.
Zoe Saldaña has worn this design by Christian Louboutin, dubbed the Belle and Jewels pump. The style features a semisheer upper with distressed detailing, a spiraling gold heel, a crystal ankle strap and more fabric encircling the ankle in a balletic manner.
Costume designer Paul Tazewell created the jeweled shoes featured in “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” in partnership with artisan Miodrag Guberinic, taking the place of the iconic ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” movie. The ornate crystal-embellished shoes showcase a spiral design pointing toward the pivotal tornado in the storyline.
Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson and his design director of shoes Nina Christen, who once worked at Loewe together, put lily pad heels on the fall 2026 runway, aligning with the lily pad setting created for the show. The 3D design on the vamp is quite meticulous, down to the details of the pink flower focal point.
Known for releasing creative footwear, Loewe lived up to its own standard with the Origami pump, which features folds inspired by the Japanese paper folding art. The unique silhouette could be seen as part of the brand’s spring 2026 collection presented by creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. Stylist Leon Gray is a fan of this inventive pump.
Last year, Manolo Blahnik made a limited-edition Marie Antoinette collection in alignment with a Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition called “Marie Antoinette Style,” sponsored by the luxury brand. The shoes featured 18th-century-inspired detailing like lacing and bows, and in the style above, a lush color palette with an intricate pattern and column of floral-like embellishments.
