10 Whimsical Designer Shoe Brands For Weddings, Prom & Special Occasions
It's almost the day you'll be the bride, bridesmaid, birthday girl, prom queen, or maybe just a girl who deservedly celebrates herself. No matter the occasion, there's always room for a little whimsy in our lives (and shoe cabinet). A pair of designer fantasy shoes might do the trick!
We rounded up 10 designer shoe brands that create to-die-for heels that'll bring your wildest dreams to life. Slip on a pair and channel Athena, a mermaid, a fairy, a fierce Bratz doll, or whatever fantasy you like.
#1 Rene Caovilla
Photo from Rene Caovilla
Inspired by the beauty of Venice, designer René Fernando Caovilla created this luxury Italian shoe brand in 1923. Its coveted icon is the heeled sandals with a sensual, snake-like spiral wrapping around the leg. Evocative and luxurious, this shoe has become an emblem of the maison and was even displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1975.
Our picks: Floriane sandals ($3,184), Chandelier sandals ($2,600), Eva sandals ($3,095)
Shop: The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands B1-86/87, renecaovilla.com, farfetch.com, avenueon3.com
#2 Manolo Blahnik
Photo from Manolo Blahnik
The 2010s were dominated by the Hangisi, the Spanish luxury shoe brand's famed it shoe. Deliberately simple in silhouette, it's embellished with a touch of drama with ornate crystal buckles. The label is also a celebrity red carpet stalwart for its sleek, timeless and romantic stilettos.
Beyond the classic designs, Manolo occasionally springs up intriguing capsule collections such as the Rococo-inspired Marie Antoinette line.
Our picks: Clementel Silk Criss-Cross Mules ($ 1,590), Hangisi Jewel Buckle Pumps ($2,490), Palissot Silk Rosettes Sandals ($2,490)
Shop: The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Galleria Level B1-80A, Takashimaya Level 2, manoloblahnik.com, farfetch.com, net-a-porter.com
#3 Alameda Turquesa
Photo from Alameda Turquesa
If mermaid royalty existed, they'd be donning Alameda Turquesa right after exchanging their tails for feet.
This independent family-owned brand from Portugal handcrafts summer-ready shoes with meticulously detailed ocean-inspired embellishments like stones, pearls and shells. The label's shoes and bags were also recently featured in Emily in Paris and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Our picks: Aquamarine Heels (~$935), Coralie Heels (~$697), Delphine Mules (~$832)
Shop: alamedaturquesa.com, farfetch.com
#4 Mach & Mach
Photo from Mach & Mach
The ultimate shoe label for the baddies who like a bit of bling, Mach & Mach was created by sisters Nina and Gvantsa Macharashvili in Tbilisi, Georgia, and made in Italy.
A shoe that has reached cult status is the signature Double Bow heels that have a sleek, sculptural shape, an intensely sparkling crystal "outline" around the toe box and ankle strap, and the iconic crystal-encrusted bow. Other shoe designs feature similarly glamorous details such as oversized lace bows, "suspended" pearls, crystal-lined grommets, corset-like lacing and more.
Our picks: Double Bow Satin Pumps (~$1,617), Le Cadeau Pink Lace Sandals (~$1,260), Floating Pearl Slingbacks (~$1,336)
Shop: Avenue On 3 at Paragon Orchard, machandmach.com
#5 JW Pei
Photo from JW Pei
Designer look without the designer price tag, that sums up this Los Angeles fashion label. The bags may be the main star, with its cutting-edge yet practical designs, but the label's shoes deserve some of the spotlight too. Styles range from the avant-garde with oversized sphere heels, to dainty femininity with embroidered orchid and flower appliqués.
Our picks: Sofia Orchid Sphere Heel Mules ($314.99), Sofia Sphere Heel Mules ($293.99), Haidi Artificial Crystal Pumps ($293.99)
#6 Aquazzura
Photo from Aquazzura
Going on a The White Lotus-style resort getaway or attending a lavish tropical destination wedding? Your feet deserve to be dressed by Aquazzura for the occasion.
A relatively fresh face in the designer shoe world, created in 2012, this Florence-based label quickly came into vogue. The playful and vividly colourful shoes appeared in films like No Time to Die and House of Gucci, and made its way to celebrity closets including those of Rihanna and Sarah Jessica Parker. Its defining aesthetic is in its meticulous raffia detailing crafted in shapes of flowers, leaves, and fruits.
Our picks: Calypso Sandals ($1,445), Rio Flirt Sandals ($2,090), Papillon Sandals ($1,457)
#7 Sophia Webster
Photo from Sophia Webster
We can't think of a more fabulous way to go from single to wifey than with Sophia Webster's eclectic heels. Founded in 2012, the British luxury accessories brand is one of the most desired for wedding shoes.
Signature designs include the pearl-stacked heel and flamingo heel, but its most sought-after shoe is the butterfly heel featuring a 3D butterfly perched atop the heel with wings up. This stunning shoe comes in a myriad of colours, along with a bridal version that's set on watercolour-printed satin covered in delicate pastel embroidery, complete with 'Wifey For Lifey' marked across the soles.
Our picks: Chiara Sandal ($1,644), Flo Copacabana Mid Sandal (~$513), Rosette Mules ($1,644)
#8 Cult Gaia
Photo from Cult Gaia
This Los Angeles-based label creates art first, then moulds them into wearable forms such as ready-to-wear and accessories.
Founder and designer Jasmin Hekmat draws inspiration from women and Mother Nature, and it reflects in her work beautifully. Cult Gaia shoes, for instance, are head-turning works of art with bold sculptural elements, organic curves, and unexpected details like realistic-looking fruits and flowers.
Our picks: Cassidy Sandals ($794), Grape Sandals ($1,384), Kiera Sandals ($794)
Shop: cultgaia.com, farfetch.com, net-a-porter.com
#9 Amina Mauddi
Photo from Amina Mauddi
If you like your whimsy on the understated side, Amina Muaddi heels are your match. Created by the eponymous Romanian-Jordanian fashion designer, the brand designs minimalist shoes that can stand on their own without stealing the thunder from the rest of your ensemble. It's no wonder it's a firm celebrity favourite for the Met Gala, coupling seamlessly with the theatrical attire.
Deceptively simple at first glance, the label's creations reveal subdued yet striking details like embellished buckles and mirrored buckles on a transparent PVC base, and the Signature Plexi Heel.
Our picks: Begum Glass Sling ($1,600), Gilda Sandal 95 ($1,550)
Shop: aminamuaddi.com, farfetch.com, theoutnet.com
#10 Giuseppe Zanotti
Photo from Giuseppe Zanotti
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes are anything but subtle. Sexy, provocative and oozing with attitude, the label's heels are arresting enough to bring you to a powerful new state of mind like, say, your queen or goddess era.
Boldly decorating each shoe are grandiose ornaments such as a crystal-encrusted fishbone, baroque-style leaf motifs, and chunky chains with pavé-set rhinestones.
Our picks: Slim 2.0 ($3,530), New Cruel ($3,440), Gz Dafne ($3,570)
Shop: The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands B1-86, giuseppezanotti.com, farfetch.com
Bonus: Betsey Johnson and Jessica Simpson
Photo from Betsey Johnson, Jessica Simpson
Betsey Johnson is a maximalist's dream with feminine punk vibes, while Jessica Simpson is having a comeback as gen Zs on TikTok discover its glamorous y2k-style heels that are also easy on the feet. Sadly, these two honourable mentions do not ship to Singapore, but it's worth keeping in mind if you ever holiday in the US or opt for a forwarding service.
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