Luxury Starts at the Heels: 15 Fashion Houses Defining Designer Shoes & RTW

Luxury isn’t just about the clothes you wear—it starts from the ground up.

The right pair of heels, loafers, or boots can transform how you walk, how you feel, and even how the world sees you. Your wardrobe is more than fabric and leather; it’s an investment in identity, confidence, and craft.

While trends come and go, luxury fashion houses like Hermès, Chanel, and Dior prove that timeless design never fades. Their pieces—whether a perfectly tailored jacket or a sculptural stiletto—set the tone for seasons ahead. Celebrities, royals, and tastemakers alike rely on these brands for red-carpet moments and everyday polish.

From iconic slingbacks and monogram sneakers to sky-high Italian pumps, these labels define how we dress and, more importantly, how we move.

Luxury giants Dior, Hermès, and Chanel anchor one of Hong Kong’s most exclusive shopping intersections in Tsim Sha Tsui, where high fashion meets urban energy and every corner hints at the craftsmanship behind their iconic shoes and couture (Credit: Sorbis / Shutterstock)

Below, we round up 15 of the world’s most luxurious fashion houses—brands whose influence extends far beyond the runway to the shoes that walk it. Whether you’re building a capsule closet or dreaming of your first designer pair, this guide reveals how each label blends craftsmanship, heritage, and head-turning style.

1. Hermès: Timeless Craftsmanship — From Birkin Icons to Luxe RTW & Sandals

When you hear ‘Hermès,’ clothes may not be the first thing to pop into your head. While the legendary French fashion house is mainly associated with Birkin and Kelly bags, it also has a range of womenswear and menswear.

Almost every product by Hermès is made at their French ateliers, including their clothing. The luxury craftsmanship and attention to detail give Hermès its eye-watering price tag.

A minimalist black cotton-jersey dress and a belted long vest in double-sided cashmere from French luxury house Hermès — paired with sleek black leather sandals that embody the brand’s effortless blend of craftsmanship and everyday elegance

While their clothing is slightly more attainable than their leather goods, you can expect to pay a pretty penny. Be prepared to spend several thousand dollars for one item of clothing.

Explore More Hermès Fashion, Shoe & Luxury Stories

Hermès stands at the intersection of craftsmanship, celebrity influence, and timeless style. From iconic Birkin bags to elegant wedge sandals, these curated YNS features explore the many ways this French fashion house continues to shape luxury culture:

2. Chanel: Tweed Power, Slingback Pumps & Investment RTW

Although Chanel is famous for its classic flap bag and interlocking CC logo, it’s perhaps best known for making us all fall in love with tweed.

One of the most recognizable articles of clothing is a Chanel two-piece suit or tweed blazer. No designer closet is complete without one of these timeless garments.

A printed black dress adorned with colorful Chanel motifs and a turquoise tweed jacket set from the French luxury house Chanel, styled with two-tone slingback heels and white leather ankle boots that showcase the brand’s modern take on its timeless silhouettes

Like Hermès, Chanel manufactures their ready-to-wear clothing primarily at their Paris ateliers. Production is mainly kept in France to maintain the brand’s luxury status and its heritage as a French brand.

Vintage Chanel continues to rise in value, proving that true style never depreciates.

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Chanel embodies timeless elegance and modern allure — a blend of heritage craftsmanship, celebrity glamour, and Parisian sophistication. From its iconic tweed suits to legendary slingback pumps and collectible handbags, these curated YNS features celebrate how Chanel continues to define luxury style across generations:

3. Louis Vuitton: Monogram DNA, Parisian RTW & Celebrity Shoes

Another French fashion house on the list of most luxurious clothing brands is Louis Vuitton. We’ve all lusted after at least one of this brand’s iconic monogram bags, but their clothing is just as irresistible.

Their clothing often incorporates the effortless Parisian chic that the brand is famous for, along with their monogram print.

A sporty zip-up jacket with a rubber Louis Vuitton patch and a Mahina Monogram one-piece swimsuit from the French luxury house — styled with monogram slide sandals and two-tone flats that blend athletic ease with signature LV sophistication

While Louis Vuitton’s leather goods are produced in France, Spain, and the United States, their ready-to-wear is made in France and Italy. Their ready-to-wear is one of the most extensive on this list, including everything from knitwear to swimwear.

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Louis Vuitton is synonymous with innovation, elegance, and red-carpet influence. From celebrity shoe statements to monogram collaborations and signature bags, these curated YNS features highlight how the French maison continues to shape modern luxury fashion:

4. Tom Ford: Sex-Appeal Tailoring, Padlock Heels & Italian-Made RTW

Tom Ford has dressed everyone from Hollywood stars to political royalty. Although an American designer, he primarily has his clothing produced in Italy.

In 2022, Estée Lauder acquired complete control of the Tom Ford company in a deal valued at $2.8 billion.

American fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford, known for redefining modern glamour, founded his eponymous luxury label in 2005 — a brand celebrated for sharp tailoring, sensual elegance, and sleek Italian-made craftsmanship (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

The Tom Ford brand encapsulates glamour, elegance, and modern sophistication. Its status and exclusivity come with a hefty price tag. The fashion house has a reputation for being one of the most expensive clothing brands in the world.

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Tom Ford is where sleek sex appeal meets modern glamour — his signature footwear, bold styling, and celebrity power plays always make headlines. These curated YNS features spotlight how Ford continues to push boundaries in luxury fashion:

5. Marc Jacobs: Playful Couture, Platforms & Pop-Culture Edge

Although Marc Jacobs is an American designer, his eponymous fashion label is owned by the powerhouse that is LVMH. The designer was once at the head of Louis Vuitton, so it’s no surprise that his clothing fetches almost as high a price tag as his one-time fashion house.

Marc Jacobs has described the brand’s ‘it’ girl muse as “young and sweet and innocent and beautiful. The epitome of the girl I fantasize about”. The brand’s clothing is feminine, quirky, and forward-thinking.

A lemon-yellow cotton logo tee and an oversized plaid jacket in purple, pink, and green from American designer Marc Jacobs — pieces that capture his playful contrast of streetwear ease and couture-inspired edge, often styled with chunky platforms or retro heels

While still a luxury brand, Marc Jacobs’ clothing won’t set you back as much as the other brands above.

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Marc Jacobs brings whimsical edge, playful silhouettes, and celebrity-driven statements to the forefront of fashion. From bold platform boots to authentic designer bags, these curated YNS features highlight how the American designer continues to shape contemporary luxury style:

6. Oscar de la Renta: Fairytale Femininity, Red-Carpet Gowns & Heels

If you’re looking for a fairytale gown, look no further than Oscar de la Renta. The iconic fashion house is amongst the most expensive fashion brands in the world, but has a distinctively whimsical and feminine style.

Some of the most recognizable dresses in the world have been created by Oscar de la Renta, who has dressed everyone from Hollywood A-listers to every American First Lady since Jackie Kennedy.

A black silk strapless embroidered ballgown and a pink tweed off-the-shoulder mini dress from Oscar de la Renta — two timeless silhouettes that reflect the house’s signature blend of couture craftsmanship and modern femininity, often paired with metallic heels or jeweled pumps

While an off-shoulder tweed mini dress will cost you $3,035, you can expect to pay almost $20,000 for a silk strapless embroidered ballgown.

Explore More Oscar de la Renta Fashion, Shoe & Luxury Stories

Oscar de la Renta is timeless elegance personified — a house that marries feminine silhouettes, red-carpet moments, and refined accessories. These YNS features spotlight the many ways de la Renta continues to define glamour and modern sophistication:

7. Gucci: Maximalist Heritage — Platforms, Monograms & Street Luxury

Our list of the world’s most luxurious clothing brands sees us traveling back to Europe with Gucci. The Italian fashion house is just as famous for its clothing as it is for its leather goods and sneakers.

The only Gucci products not made in Italy are watches, meaning that part of its high-end price tag comes from its Italian craftsmanship.

A GG-canvas coat with crystal detailing and a playful “Blueberry Gucci” cotton T-shirt from Italian luxury house Gucci — a mix of heritage tailoring and modern whimsy, often styled with chunky boots or platform loafers that define the brand’s bold aesthetic

Gucci’s ready-to-wear clothing offers a range of more accessible pieces to extravagant suits that will set you back thousands of pounds.

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Gucci blends boldness with heritage, transforming its signature motifs into boundary-pushing fashion statements. From platform heels to monogram bags, these YNS features celebrate how Gucci continues to define modern luxury across shoes, accessories, and street style:

8. Giorgio Armani: Understated Power Dressing & Minimalist Heels

Our next luxurious clothing brand is another Italian fashion house. Armani, founded in 1975, offers some of the most expensive clothing for women.

The confusion surrounding Armani’s clothing and its price tag often relates to its diffusion lines.

Woven-stripe single-breasted jacket and contrast-trimmed layered jumper from Italian luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani

The high-end ‘Giorgio Armani’ brand is manufactured in Italy, increasing the price of its luxury garments.

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Armani defines understated elegance — balancing tailored sophistication, red-carpet minimalism, and refined accessories. These YNS features highlight how the Armani aesthetic extends from couture gowns to subtle heels and statement footwear moments:

9. Versace: Medusa-Fueled Glamour — Sculpted Dresses & Sky-High Pumps

Versace is one of the fashion brands that encapsulates the Italian lifestyle and the ‘la dolce vita’ approach to life.

Unsurprisingly, this Italian fashion house is among the most expensive clothing brands in the world. While we’re fans of its leather goods and shoes, Versace is most famous for its clothing.

As an Italian fashion house, the company manufactures over 80% of its products domestically, with 7% produced elsewhere in Europe. A small percentage, approximately 2%, is made in Asia.

A one-piece black swimsuit featuring Versace’s signature Medusa head and Greca belt motif, paired with the house’s iconic silk safety-pin maxi dress — a timeless combination of bold sensuality and Italian glamour, often styled with towering platform heels

Versace is unique as a luxury brand that offers clothing options at various price points, ranging from a few hundred pounds to several thousand.

Explore More Versace Fashion, Shoe & Luxury Stories

Versace is bold, iconic, and unapologetically expressive — a brand built on statement-making design, from Medusa motifs to luxe leather craftsmanship. These YNS features highlight how Versace continues to make waves in footwear, red-carpet styling, and celebrity fashion moments:

10. Ralph Lauren: American Prep — Purple Label Tailoring & Classic Heels

No clothing brand encapsulates the American ‘preppy’ fashion style more than Ralph Lauren. Like Marc Jacobs, this iconic fashion house is known for its extensive diffusion lines.

There’s a range for almost every budget – whether you’re shopping for Polo Ralph Lauren or Ralph Lauren Purple Label.

Ralph Lauren’s high-end clothing is produced exclusively in Italy, while mid-tier items are typically manufactured in Spain, Portugal, and the USA.

A sequined sunshine-yellow strapless gown and a classic black fit-and-flare midi dress from American luxury brand Ralph Lauren — timeless silhouettes that embody the house’s effortless elegance, perfectly complemented by minimalist heeled sandals

One of the most expensive pieces from Ralph Lauren is their Landis sequined evening gown from the Ralph Lauren Collection range, with a price tag of $8,000.

By comparison, the most affordable new season dress within the Ralph Lauren family of brands is their stretch cotton midi dress from the Lauren Ralph Lauren range, priced at a modest $120 at Zappos.

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Ralph Lauren marries American heritage with aspirational elegance — a brand that blends timeless tailoring, equestrian influences, and understated glamour. These YNS features highlight how Ralph Lauren’s vision extends from sophisticated footwear to iconic celebrity style and collectible accessories:

11. Prada: Modern Minimalism, Architectural Heels & Iconic Bags

We’re back in Italy with the 11th fashion brand on this list – Prada. Although a Milan-based company, Prada differs from the likes of Gucci and Versace in its production methods.

While Prada is known for sticking to its classic Italian roots, that’s not where you’ll find most of its production. With its sleek, minimalistic designs and a feminine yet timeless feel, Prada manufactures most of its products outside of Italy.

A floral-print poplin shirtdress, a polka-dot sequin-embellished chiffon dress, and a contrasting-panel short-sleeve midi dress from Italian luxury house Prada — showcasing the brand’s mastery of modern femininity, styled with pointed flats, glossy pumps, and sculptural platform boots

While some clothing is made in Italy, it’s hard to estimate precisely how much. Some clothing is also manufactured in China, Indonesia, Hungary, and Vietnam. That doesn’t lower the price tag you can expect when buying Prada ready-to-wear clothing.

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Prada fuses modern minimalism with bold innovation — a house defined by sharp tailoring, architectural heels, and effortless sophistication. From red-carpet pumps to cult-favorite handbags, these curated YNS features celebrate how Prada continues to shape the landscape of contemporary luxury fashion:

12. Dolce & Gabbana: Sicilian Romance — Jeweled Heels & Opulent RTW

Dolce & Gabbana is an Italian fashion house that embodies all the best of Mediterranean living. While the brand is trying to rebuild its reputation, it’s been working closely with influencers and celebrities to promote its ready-to-wear range.

Known for using feminine detailing and Sicily-inspired prints, Dolce & Gabbana manufactures clothing in France and Italy. The brand produces everything from elegant ballgowns to barely-there lace bralettes.

A dark pink logo-motif sheer top and a blush flower-embroidered tulle gown from Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana — celebrating the brand’s romantic craftsmanship and signature femininity, often paired with jeweled sandals or classic stiletto heels

One of the most expensive ready-to-wear pieces from Dolce & Gabbana is their flower-embroidered tulle long dress, priced at $26,500 on Farfetch. Meanwhile, a logo-motif sheer top will only set you back a more modest $245.

Explore More Dolce & Gabbana Fashion, Shoes & Luxury Stories

Dolce & Gabbana embodies bold sensuality, Mediterranean glamour, and unapologetic drama. From jeweled heels and floral gowns to modern red-carpet icons, these curated YNS features celebrate how D&G continues to define Italian luxury with its signature passion and artistry:

13. Burberry: British Heritage — Trench Icons & Polished Pumps

We’re heading across Europe to the United Kingdom for our next luxury clothing brand. While Burberry is forever associated with its classic plaid print and cashmere scarves, you don’t want to overlook its ready-to-wear collections.

Burberry is in a league of its own when it comes to intricate craftsmanship. Most of the brand’s clothing is produced in Europe, between Italy and the UK, using the highest quality fabrics and the impeccable craftsmanship that Burberry is famous for.

Classic-fit trench coat and diamond-quilted jacket woven with a recycled polyester yarn from British luxury fashion house Burberry

One of Burberry’s most recognizable garments is its trench coats and jackets. While a diamond quilted recycled polyester jacket costs $950, the classic long Kensington Heritage trench coat costs $2,250.

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Burberry epitomizes British sophistication — blending timeless tailoring, heritage checks, and modern street polish. From front-row celebrity moments to iconic handbags and red-carpet styling, these curated YNS features celebrate how Burberry continues to define contemporary luxury:

14. Salvatore Ferragamo: Old Hollywood Craft — Vara Bows & Tailored RTW

One Italian fashion brand that is often overlooked on these lists is Salvatore Ferragamo. No brand encapsulates the classic vintage-inspired look of Italian fashion more than Salvatore Ferragamo.

The brand is famous for its connection to stars like Audrey Hepburn, and its clothing continues to be as timeless as ever.

A classic boxy jacket with red-and-black contrast stitching and cropped tailored pants from Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo — pairing timeless craftsmanship with contemporary ease, styled with chunky ankle boots and signature horsebit loafers

Ferragamo continues to manufacture its clothing in Italy, and their style is the perfect choice for the classic ‘uptown girl’. You can expect to pay under $700 for cropped trousers, while a boxy blazer has a $2,100 price tag.

Explore More Salvatore Ferragamo Fashion, Shoe & Luxury Stories

Salvatore Ferragamo embodies timeless Italian artistry — fusing Old Hollywood glamour with modern craftsmanship. From Vara bows and Rainbow platforms to red-carpet sandals and collectible pumps, these YNS features celebrate the brand’s enduring influence on celebrity style and luxury footwear:

15. Dior: New Look Legacy — J’Adior Slingbacks & Couture RTW

This list of the most luxurious clothing brands in the world wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Dior. It’s one of the most famous French fashion houses and has changed how we look at fashion for generations.

Most of Dior’s products come from its Scandicci, Italy factory, but haute couture pieces are created at their French atelier.

Even today, Dior remains true to its principles of the “new look,” offering clothing that helps us channel our inner Audrey Hepburn while also providing more contemporary styles.

A beige multicolor Mizza-motif mid-length dress, a cornflower-blue Marinière-striped sweater, and a blue-and-ecru Dior Oblique hooded anorak from French luxury house Dior — effortlessly blending heritage prints with modern silhouettes, styled with signature ballerina flats and logo ankle boots

Dior’s ready-to-wear collection artistically reflects the heritage of Dior in every garment, from its athleisure to evening wear. There’s no denying that Dior is one of – if not the most – expensive clothing brands on this list.

Explore More Dior Fashion, Shoe & Luxury Stories

Dior captures the spirit of timeless femininity and modern sophistication — a couture house that continues to shape luxury through architectural silhouettes, refined accessories, and iconic footwear. From J’Adior slingbacks to red-carpet couture, these curated YNS features highlight Dior’s lasting influence on celebrity style and contemporary fashion culture:

Our Take: Why This List Will Never Be Complete

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve taken a deep dive into the world’s most powerful and valuable fashion houses, from the Parisian sophistication of Chanel and Dior to the bold Italian glamour of Versace and Gucci.

But the truth is, a definitive list of the “most luxurious clothing brands” can never truly be complete, because luxury itself is always evolving.

While this list focuses on the legendary fashion houses—the multi-category empires that create ready-to-wear clothing, couture, bags, and shoes (like Louis Vuitton and Hermès)—it necessarily leaves out other titans of the industry. You correctly noted the absence of runway powerhouses like Valentino and Saint Laurent, who absolutely belong in the top tier of apparel.

Furthermore, we haven’t even touched on the specialist luxury artisans who dominate specific categories, which is often where true obsession begins. We’re talking about pure footwear icons like Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo, whose signature stilettos are more recognizable on the red carpet than most gowns.

Ultimately, the most luxurious brand isn’t defined by a ranking; it’s the one piece—whether it’s a Chanel slingback pump, a Dior J’Adior heel, or a pair of Tom Ford padlock pumps—that makes you feel powerful, confident, and utterly you. And that, in the material world, is the only investment that matters.