New York – If 2025 proved anything, it’s that Rihanna remains the undisputed queen of footwear. From sold-out Fenty x Puma drops to rare vintage Barbara boots and gravity-defying Amina Muaddi collaborations, the billionaire mogul, singer, and mother of two turned every public appearance into a masterclass in bold, luxurious shoe style. WWD’s year-end roundup of Rihanna’s best shoe moments has fans calling it “the most iconic footwear run ever,” with each pair sparking instant trends, resale frenzy, and endless paparazzi flashes.

The year kicked off strong in January when Rihanna stepped out in Paris wearing the Amina Muaddi x AWGE Lupita glass-heeled sandals in crystal-clear PVC with a towering 120mm heel. Paired with an oversized vintage Alaïa coat, the look went viral overnight, causing the limited-edition heels (retailing at $1,600) to sell out globally in under four hours. Muaddi herself reposted the photos, writing, “When Ri wears it, the world stops.” By February, street-style photographers caught her in New York rocking the Fenty x Puma Avanti in a never-before-seen metallic silver colorway—months before its official release—prompting Puma to fast-track the drop and watch it sell 200,000 pairs in the first week.

Spring brought archival heat. At the Fenty Hair launch in Los Angeles, Rihanna revived a pair of Barbara Bui thigh-high python boots from the designer’s ultra-rare 2003 runway collection. Estimated at $8,500 on the resale market, the boots hadn’t been seen publicly in nearly two decades. Fashion historians hailed it as “museum-level styling,” while resale platforms like The RealReal reported a 400% spike in Barbara Bui searches.

Summer was all about comfort-meets-luxury. Spotted in Barbados celebrating Crop Over, Rihanna debuted the Fenty x Puma Creeper Phatty Earth Tone in a sandy beige suede, complete with chunky rubber soles perfect for festival dancing. Priced at $140, the style became the season’s must-have, outselling even classic sneakers like the Adidas Samba. She later switched it up in Monaco with Amina Muaddi holographic Begum pumps, reflecting yacht lights in rainbow hues and instantly inspiring dozens of celebrity copies.

Fall belonged to statement boots. During New York Fashion Week, Rihanna arrived at the Alaïa show in custom Fenty thigh-high leather boots with crystal-embellished creeper soles—combining her signature punk edge with high-fashion polish. The boots reportedly took 120 hours to handcraft and sparked a waiting list of over 5,000 names. In October, she brought back ’90s nostalgia in rare Barbara platform sandals from 1998, pairing them with a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress for a Savage X Fenty pop-up event.

December delivered holiday magic. At the Fenty Beauty holiday party, Rihanna stunned in Amina Muaddi Dalida crystal slingbacks in emerald green, perfectly matching her emerald silk slip dress. The $1,950 heels sold out in 47 minutes, crashing the designer’s website. She closed the year in Aspen wearing Fenty x Puma Inhale sneakers in a festive red colorway, proving she can make even sneakers look red-carpet ready.

Beyond the glamour, Rihanna’s shoe choices carried deeper meaning. Every pair highlighted Black and women designers—Muaddi, herself, and emerging talents—while blending high fashion with accessibility through Fenty drops. Mothers everywhere related to her “real-life” moments, like pushing strollers in comfy Creepers or chasing RZA and Riot in practical yet stylish flats.

As 2025 ends, Rihanna’s footwear legacy is clear: she doesn’t follow trends—she sets them, one fearless step at a time. From $140 sneakers to $10,000 vintage treasures, every shoe told a story of confidence, creativity, and cultural impact. Fashion insiders are already predicting 2026 will be even bigger.

Until then, one thing’s certain: when Rihanna walks, the world watches—and immediately wants those shoes.