On The Ball
Photo: Ferragamo.
Ferragamo creative director Maximilian Davis has taken the brand’s iconic Gancini and propelled it to higher levels with the Elina sandal. First seen on the spring/summer 2023 runway, the Gancini is now a singular geometric heel. The rounded end acts as the grounding support element—an ingenious creative decision given its shape and adequate surface area. Although it looks precarious, the Elina sandal’s construction, including an ultra-slim padded square toe, is designed for maximum comfort.
Knotted Up
Bottega Veneta is inextricably linked with its signature Intrecciato, the leather-weaving technique that has persisted throughout the brand’s many creative directorship changes. Another design element synonymous with the brand is the knot. The intertwining of metal hardware has given the equally iconic Knot clutch its name since the 1990s. While leather knot detailing is common at Bottega Veneta, the brand has taken it up a notch with the Knot mule, featuring a knotted brass heel that fully displays the detail in a slightly oversized proportion.
Twists And Turns
Photo: Loewe.
Loewe’s dabbling in surrealism-inspired collections has seen a variety of objects transformed into heel substitutes. From a broken egg to a seemingly fragile balloon, the brand has experimented with kitschy heels. Its Anagram logo—a curly motif modified from the archives—is a more conservative heel element. While maintaining its sinewy lines, the Anagram heel is rendered in a 3D form with the logo visible from the side with every step.
The Classic
Photo: Saint Laurent.
The Saint Laurent Opyum is now a beloved classic. Much like Ferragamo’s Elina sandal, the Opyum’s signature heel looks anything but supportive. The YSL-shaped heel made its debut as part of creative director Anthony Vaccarello’s first Saint Laurent collection in 2017 and was an instant sensation. At almost 11.5cm in height, it is the tallest heel on this list and probably not the best to invest in if you’re not used to living in high heels. It is, however, definitely the sexiest.
