Greatest Shoes of All Time: A Look at the Icons of Footwear

Welcome back to a special edition of FN Daily, where we break down the biggest stories happening in footwear and retail.

Today, we are delving into our August print issue and our special package highlighting the greatest shoes of all time.

How we chose them? The list was compiled with the help of a diverse range of sources including input from editors and industry experts. Additionally, data and other relevant metrics were analyzed to ensure a well-rounded and authoritative selection across categories and markets — including sneakers, luxury, comfort, contemporary, along with men’s and women’s. The alphabetical lineup is meant to reflect historical significance but also current trends. Take a look.

Here's a look at some of the highlights from the list:

Christian Louboutin So Kate

The Christian Louboutin Kate heel was released in 2012 and the So Kate in 2013, with over 500,000 pairs of the Kate and its variations sold since its launch. Said the designer: “Kate is a sharp style, simple and very complex at the same time. If the line is not very perfect, you do not have any embellishment to hide it. It sounded so much like Kate Moss, simple yet very sophisticated. I felt this pump just had to be named after her, because it was so Kate.”

Dr. Martens 1460

The Dr. Martens 1460 boot launched on April 1, 1960, and soon became a mainstay of the counterculture. Its fame continues with today’s generations. Between 2015 and 2024, the brand sold 30 million pairs. And last year, Dr. Martens reached 1 billion British pounds ($1.25 billion, based on current exchange) in annual revenue for the first time.

Nike Dunk

“Outside of the overall simplicity, countless retro revivals and agreeable price point, it’s the chameleon aspect of the Dunk that has stood the test of time. It transcended multiple sports, all genres of music, all while continuing to evolve. It has been signed off by every organism within streetwear — Zoo York, Futura, Levis, De La Soul, Heineken, Alphanumeric, Supreme, Virgil, Iron Maiden, Stussy. Quite possibly the most thorough list of collaborators in history. That, coupled with some of the most legendary color schemes to date, and it is easy to see why it is so coveted.” — Deon Point, creative director at Concepts

DEEP DIVE: How Crocs, Birkenstock and Manolo Blahnik Have Kept Their Icon Products Hot and Relevant Throughout the Years

Some shoe brands have been lucky enough to strike gold with iconic silhouettes. Birkenstock has its Arizona, Timberland has its 10061 wheat boot, Converse has its Chuck Taylor, Christian Louboutin has the So Kate, to name a few.

But in an-ever evolving fashion world, how do these core silhouettes withstand the test of time? According to market watchers, executives and brands, it all comes down to controlling distribution, staying true to design codes and innovating new ways for the brand to show up.

Read more about the how brands can keep their shoe icons hot and relevant in our deep dive, here.

Need more shoe news?

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• All the Intel on the Upcoming FFANY, Micam, Magic and Dallas Trade Shows

• Givenchy Opens West Coast Flagship in Historic Frank Lloyd Wright Building

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