by Celebrities have often entered the business world in the course of their careers. One of their most successful ventures is shoe lines, which sell millions of pounds a year.
Donald Trump is the latest high-profile figure to put his (hopefully) best foot forward and enter the shoe game. The 2024 US presidential candidate and former president, apparently not happy with his video game, steak line and trademark baseball cap, launched his basketball-inspired footwear at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia last week.
The shoes have nothing to do with Trump’s bid for re-election as president. Instead, they will be sold alongside their brand merchandise.
So what were the famous and surprising celebrity shoe launches?
This is your ultimate guide.
Donald Trump and Don’t Surrender
A day after a New York judge sentenced him to pay $354.9 million (£280m) in penalties for falsely misrepresenting his net worth to deceive lenders, Trump introduced his line of trainers on February 18.
The shoes, called Don’t Surrender High-Tops, are priced at $399 (£316) on a new website. They are shiny gold high top shoes with an American flag accent on the back.
Kanye West and Yeezy
Well known for his passion for style, rapper Kanye West first introduced Nike Yeezy shoes in 2009 after working with Louis Vuitton on a shoe line.
After some disagreements, West moved to Adidas in 2015 and built a company empire that made him a billionaire. His shoe brand surpassed $1.5 billion (£1bn) in revenue in 2019 and accounted for 10 per cent of Adidas’ annual revenue.
In addition to footwear, the Yeezy brand expanded to include clothing collections, which included clothing items such as hoodies, jackets, and tracksuits.
However, in 2023, the German brand said it was cutting ties with the rapper and donating part of its partnership’s money to charity after West’s anti-Semitic remarks.
Beyoncé and Adidas
Beyoncé’s athleisure brand, Ivy Park, began a partnership with Adidas in 2019, with the singer becoming its creative partner. Adidas stock rose 1.5 percent after the move was announced.
In addition to her collaboration with Adidas, the singer is known to wear and endorse different brands and styles of footwear in her public appearances, music videos and performances. Her footwear choices often reflect her versatility and ability to seamlessly blend high fashion with streetwear and athletic influences.
Beyoncé’s influence in the fashion world extends beyond footwear, as she is also known for her collaborations with luxury fashion houses and her House of Deréon fashion line (co-founded with her mother Tina Knowles).
Serena Williams and Nike
Tennis legend Serena Williams teamed up with Nike in 2022 to create a purple Nike Air Force 1 called Lapis.
The 23-time grand slam champion, who will retire in September 2022, has also co-founded the Serena Williams Design Team. This focuses on creating innovative and stylish designs across various categories, including fashion and footwear.
In addition, Williams has collaborated with Off-White, a luxury fashion label founded by Virgil Abloh, who was the artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear at the time. The result of this collaboration was a three-way collection featuring Serena Williams, Off-White, and Nike, showcasing the intersection between sports, fashion and design.
Michael Jordan and Nike
It would be remiss to discuss celebrity footwear partnerships without mentioning basketball icon Michael Jordan. On October 26, 1984, Jordan signed a five-year contract worth $2.5m (£2m) with Nike, the largest contract in the National Basketball Association (NBA) at the time.
The first Air Jordan shoe, the Air Jordan 1, was released in 1985.
The Air Jordan line was more than just a basketball shoe; it became a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion and popular culture around the world.
Jordan’s partnership with Nike has endured for many years, with new Air Jordan models being released regularly. The brand remains highly sought after by collectors and sports and fashion fans alike.
Cardi B and Reebok
Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B collaborated with Reebok, the footwear and athletic apparel company, on a partnership that included a signature collection of shoes and apparel. The collaboration was announced in November 2018.
The partnership aimed to blend Cardi B’s bold and vibrant style with Reebok’s heritage as a brand known for its athletic designs and street-inspired apparel. The collaboration produced a collection of footwear and apparel items that reflected Cardi B’s personality and fashion sense.
One notable release from the Cardi B x Reebok collaboration was the Club C sneaker, which received a makeover with bold colorways and unique design elements. The collection also included clothing items such as tracksuits and tops, all with Cardi B’s signature flair.
