When it comes to iconic footwear in film, Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from 1939’s The Wizard of Oz stand out as some of the most recognizable. These sparkling red shoes have become a symbol of fashion’s role in the film industry, inspiring luxury brands like Prada and Marc Jacobs to create their own interpretations, as noted by WWD.
But while the phrase “Dorothy’s shoes” immediately evokes images of the iconic red slippers, they’re noticeably absent in the 2024 musical film Wicked. Based on the Broadway hit and Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked explores the sympathetic origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West. In doing so, it reimagines several elements from The Wizard of Oz, including Dorothy’s footwear.
READ: Why Dorothy Doesn’t Wear Ruby Red Slippers in “Wicked”
As fans of The Wizard of Oz know, Dorothy’s shoes are a pivotal part of the story. In the 1939 film, the young girl’s journey along the yellow brick road—and her ultimate return home—is tied to the sparkling red slippers, famously worn by Judy Garland. However, readers of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz may be surprised to learn that Dorothy’s shoes were originally silver!
The decision to change the shoes to ruby red in the MGM production was driven by the advent of Technicolor’s three-strip film process. The vibrant red provided a striking contrast to the yellow brick road, creating an unforgettable visual that cemented the slippers’ place in cinematic history.
Another factor behind the ruby red slipper’s rarity in adaptations is copyright. MGM retains the rights to the specific design seen in the 1939 film. This is one reason why other adaptations, including the Broadway version of Wicked, opt to use silver shoes instead.
LOOK: Dorothy’s Silver Shoes in “Wicked”
For the 2024 film, Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell returned to L. Frank Baum’s original novel for inspiration. He crafted a stunning silver pair that feels iconic in its own right while fitting seamlessly into the world of Wicked.
“They needed to resonate in an iconic way, like the ruby slippers,” the costume designer explained to WWD. “I wanted them to not just be another ruby slipper, but to be specific to the world we were creating.”
The result is a pair of sparkling silver shoes with a swirling, wave-like design made from intricate overlapping curves. Hand-jeweled with 1,165 Preciosa crystals, the shoes evoke the tornado that carries Dorothy to Oz. “I have the heel starting as a tornado of jewels that swirls up, wraps over the foot, and spirals around,” Paul revealed in the same interview.
This distinctive design was influenced by several sources, including the movement of spirals, industrial structures like girders, and even the 1910 Boucheron Wave Tiara, lending the shoes a jewelry-like elegance. To bring the design to life, the shoes were 3D-printed by artisan Guberinic, who recently crafted wings for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
While Dorothy’s silver shoes in Wicked depart from the ruby red slippers of MGM’s classic, they have the makings of an icon in their own right. With their intricate craftsmanship, symbolic design, and a touch of whimsy, these shoes encapsulate Wicked’s fresh take on a timeless tale.
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