There are shoes you wear, and then there are shoes you remember. A CC toe cap, the crystal sparkle of a Manolo Hangisi, a flash of Louboutin red, — some styles are simply unforgettable. Following last year’s The Book of Iconic Bags, FASHIONPHILE and Assouline are turning their attention to footwear with The Book of Iconic Shoes, celebrating 25 pairs that have made their mark on fashion and popular culture.

Chanel

Chanel’s two-tone slingbacks are a perfect place to start – a style as synonymous with the House as the 11.12 is in its handbag universe. First introduced by Gabrielle Chanel in 1957, the classic is defined by its beige body and contrasting black grosgrain toe cap, a clever combination said to lengthen the leg while visually shortening the foot. The silhouette has been reimagined countless times over the decades, and Matthieu Blazy is now giving it a contemporary spin with squared toes and bolder colorways and finishes, proving that even the most familiar fashion icons can have a new chapter. 

Few shoes have quite the pop-culture credentials of Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolo Blahnik Hangisi. Forever associated with Sex and the City, the crystal-buckled pumps became more than a fixture in Carrie’s wardrobe, even earning their own moment when Big surprised her with a custom closet designed to house her beloved shoe collection. First introduced in 2008, the Hangisi has since been reimagined across a range of silhouettes, from its classic pointed-toe pump to flats, mules and sandals, while that instantly recognizable crystal buckle remains the star of the show.

Christian Loubotin

That same kind of recognition extends to Christian Loubotin’s So Kate, which has enjoyed plenty of memorable red-carpet moments of its own, including on Zendaya, styled by Law Roach. Named after Kate Moss, Louboutin’s sleek, sharply pointed pump combines an impossibly high stiletto with its signature red sole — proof that a relatively simple silhouette can become an icon.

Maison Margiela

Not every icon plays by the same rules, however. Maison Margiela’s Tabi has been turning heads since its debut in 1988, with its split-toe silhouette inspired by the traditional Japanese sock. Love it or hate it, you’ll know a Tabi when you see one.

Balenciaga

And it’s not just heels and flats that have earned cult status. Sneakers have plenty of icons of their own. Balenciaga’s Triple S took a decidedly chunkier route to cult status, helping usher the “ugly sneaker” into the luxury fashion conversation when it debuted in 2017. With its exaggerated proportions, layered sole and instantly recognizable shape, it quickly became one of the defining sneakers of the era.

These are just a few of the 25 silhouettes explored in The Book of Iconic Shoes, which spans everything from ballet flats and slingbacks to statement boots and cult sneakers. 

So, did your favorite make the cut? Or is there another shoe you think deserves a place among fashion’s icons?

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