Nicholas Kirkwood’s Custom Shoes Turned the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Runway Into a Footwear Showcase

On November 7, 2012, in New York City, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show wasn’t just a parade of wings and lingerie—it was a full-scale footwear showcase, with Nicholas Kirkwood creating custom shoes to match each themed runway segment.

Instead of treating heels as an afterthought, the show used footwear as a styling “anchor,” shaping how each look read from the ground up.

What makes this shoe moment worth revisiting is its range: Kirkwood designed everything from crystal-bright sandals and slick lace-up booties to high-impact thigh-high boots that stole the spotlight even in a maximalist setting. The designs were built to photograph—high shine, bold proportions, and theme-specific details that made each step part of the story.

The show’s six sections—“Circus,” “Toy Pink,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “Silver Screen,” “Calendar Girls,” and “Angels in Bloom”—essentially functioned like mini-collections, giving Kirkwood a runway-wide brief for shape, texture, and attitude. Below, we’re breaking down the standout pairs by model, so you can see exactly how each shoe was styled on the catwalk.

Adriana Lima’s “Circus” Moment: Nicholas Kirkwood Black Embellished Boots

Brazilian model Adriana Lima walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City (Credit: Jeff Grossman / WENN / Rob Rich / Ivan Nikolov /Andres Otero / Nicholas Kirkwood)

Adriana Lima wears black embellished boots by Nicholas Kirkwood

Adriana Lima came in 4th place on the Forbes top-earning models list in 2012, estimated to have earned $7.3 million in one year

Adriana Lima displayed her pretty toes in green sandals

Alessandra Ambrosio’s “Circus” Pair: Nicholas Kirkwood Glittering Red Heels

Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio shows off her feet in glittering red heels

Alessandra Ambrosio was chosen as one of People magazine’s annual 100 Most Beautiful People in the World in May 2007

Alessandra Ambrosio’s hot feet in garden-inspired sandals

Barbara Fialho’s “Circus” Rotation: Kirkwood Ankle Boots + PVC Wedges

Brazilian model Barbara Fialho walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Barbara Fialho rocks Secret Circus ankle boots

At the age of 15, Brazilian model Barbara Fialho started working as a model for São Paulo Fashion Week and Rio Fashion Week

Barbara Fialho shows off her feet in PVC wedges

Barbara Palvin’s “Calendar Girls” Look: Nicholas Kirkwood Black Latex Boots

Hungarian model Barbara Palvin walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Hungarian model Barbara Palvin rocks black latex boots

Behati Prinsloo’s “Angels in Bloom” Shoes: Leaf Sandals + Lace-Up Wedges

Namibian model Behati Prinsloo walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Namibian model Behati Prinsloo shows off her feet in leaf-embellished sandals

Behati Prinsloo became a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2009

Behati Prinsloo shows off her feet in plastic lace-up wedges

Bregje Heinen’s “Dangerous Liaisons” Heels: Nicholas Kirkwood Stilettos

Dutch model Bregje Heinen walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Dutch model Bregje Heinen rocks Nicholas Kirkwood stilettos

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Cameron Russell’s “Calendar Girls” Twist: Nicholas Kirkwood Yellow Rain Boots

American model Cameron Russell walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

American model Cameron Russell rocks yellow rain boots

Candice Swanepoel’s Shoe Story: Red Ankle Boots + Leaf Sandals by Kirkwood

South African model Candice Swanepoel walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

South African model Candice Swanepoel wears glittering red ankle boots

Candice Swanepoel became a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2010

South African model Candice Swanepoel shows off her pretty feet in leaf-embellished sandals

South African model Candice Swanepoel flaunts her legs in sexy red lingerie

South African model Candice Swanepoel shows off her hot feet

Constance Jablonski’s “Dangerous Liaisons” Pair: Nicholas Kirkwood Statement Heels

French model Constance Jablonski walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

French model Constance Jablonski wears a stunning pair of heels

Doutzen Kroes’ “Circus” Finish: Nicholas Kirkwood Glittering Black Shoes

Dutch model Doutzen Kroes walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Dutch model Doutzen Kroes wears glittering black shoes

Elsa Hosk’s “Toy Pink” Heels: Nicholas Kirkwood’s Glossy, Girly Take

Swedish model Elsa Hosk walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Swedish model Elsa Hosk flaunts her legs in heels by Nicholas Kirkwood

Hilary Rhoda’s Green-Heel Moment: Nicholas Kirkwood Color Pop

American model Hilary Rhoda walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

American model Hilary Rhoda wears green heels

Ieva Lagūna’s “Toy Pink” Lift: Nicholas Kirkwood Towering Heels

Latvian model Ieva Lagūna walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Latvian model Ieva Lagūna wearing towering heels by Nicholas Kirkwood

Isabeli Fontana’s “Dangerous Liaisons” Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood Black Heels

Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana wears black shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood

Izabel Goulart’s “Circus” Sparkle: Nicholas Kirkwood Crystal Heels

Brazilian model Izabel Goulart walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Brazilian model Izabel Goulart shows off her feet in crystal heels

Jacquelyn Jablonski’s “Toy Pink” Boots: Nicholas Kirkwood White Statement Pair

American model Jacquelyn Jablonski walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

American model Jacquelyn Jablonski wearing white boots

Jasmine Tookes’ “Angels in Bloom” Heels: Nicholas Kirkwood’s Barely-There Finish

American model Jasmine Tookes walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

American model Jasmine Tookes shows off her pretty feet

Jessica Hart’s “Toy Pink” Pair: Nicholas Kirkwood Runway Shoes

Australian model Jessica Hart walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

You gotta love Jourdan Dunn’s Neon Genesis Evangelion plugsuit–inspired costume. We’ll also be covering shoes from the show’s pink carpet and after-party, so stay tuned.

Joan Smalls’ “Circus” Power Step: Nicholas Kirkwood Thigh-High Boots

Puerto Rican supermodel Joan Smalls Rodriguez walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Joan Smalls wears thigh-high boots

Puerto Rican supermodel Joan Smalls Rodriguez shows off her sexy feet

Jourdan Dunn’s Crystal Heels Moment: Nicholas Kirkwood Black Sparkle

English supermodel Jourdan Dunn walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

English supermodel Jourdan Dunn wearing black crystal heels

Karlie Kloss’ “Calendar Girls” Standout: Transparent Fringe Booties by Kirkwood

One shoe that caught my eye was the transparent fringe bootie model Karlie Kloss wore with her tribal “chieftain” look.

Victoria’s Secret was accused of cultural appropriation after Karlie Kloss wore a Native American-inspired outfit

On a side-note, Victoria’s Secret caught flak from the Native-American community by outfitting Karlie with the headdress that is said to be treated with respect as they should only be worn by war chiefs and warriors!

American model Karlie Elizabeth Kloss walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Never fear though, VS has already apologized for the unintended disrespect and has pulled the headdress out of any future broadcast and marketing materials.

Karlie Kloss wears fringe shoes inspired by Native Americans

Lily Aldridge’s “Calendar Girls” Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood Plastic Sandals

American model Lily Aldridge walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

American model Lily Aldridge shows off her feet

Lily Donaldson’s “Silver Screen” Pair: Crystal-Embellished Black Sandals

English model Lily Donaldson walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

English model Lily Donaldson shows off her sexy toes

Lindsay Ellingson’s “Silver Screen” Heels: Bow + Crystal Sandals by Kirkwood

American model Lindsay Ellingson walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

American model Lindsay Ellingson shows off her feet

Liu Wen’s “Circus” Lace-Up: Nicholas Kirkwood Black Sandals

Chinese model Liu Wen walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Chinese model Liu Wen shows off her feet in black heels

Magdalena Frąckowiak’s “Dangerous Liaisons” Pair: Blue Lace Heels by Kirkwood

Polish model Magdalena Frąckowiak walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Magdalena Frąckowiak shows off her feet in blue lace heels

Maud Welzen’s “Toy Pink” Lineup: Yellow Wedges + Stiletto Boots by Kirkwood

Maud Welzen walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Maud Welzen displays her toes in yellow platform wedges

Maud Welzen was discovered in Paris while on a school trip at the age of 13

Maud Welzen wears towering stiletto boots

Miranda Kerr’s Two-Shoe Highlight: Red Lace-Up Heels + Gold Platform Boots

Miranda Kerr walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Miranda Kerr flaunted her legs in a forest green corset featuring magical silver stars

Miranda Kerr shows off her feet in glittering red shoes

Miranda Kerr’s cleavage in a Fantasies push up bra

Miranda Kerr flaunts her long legs in gold booties

Miranda Kerr wears gold-colored platform boots

Shanina Shaik’s “Angels in Bloom” Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood Green Sandals

Shanina Shaik walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Shanina Shaik shows off her feet in green sandals

Sharam Diniz’s “Toy Pink” Boots: Nicholas Kirkwood White Embellished Pair

Angolan-Portuguese fashion model Sharam-Sharam Diniz walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Angolan-Portuguese fashion model Sharam-Sharam Diniz rocks white embellished boots

Shu Pei Qin’s “Dangerous Liaisons” Boots: Nicholas Kirkwood Animal Print

Model Shu Pei Qin walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Model Shu Pei Qin rocks animal print boots

Toni Garrn’s Blue-Ankle-Boot Moment: Nicholas Kirkwood Color Hit

Model Toni Garrn walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret 2012 Fashion Show on November 7, 2012, in New York City

Model Toni Garrn wears blue ankle boots by Nicholas Kirkwood

Why Nicholas Kirkwood’s Victoria’s Secret Shoes Still Matter

More than a decade on, Nicholas Kirkwood’s work for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show stands as a reminder of what happens when footwear is treated as a creative driver rather than a finishing touch. Each themed segment functioned like a micro-collection—using height, texture, shine, and proportion to shape how the lingerie read on the runway.

Whether through crystal-studded sandals, sculptural boots, or experimental materials, the shoes didn’t just support the looks—they defined them.

If you’re interested in revisiting how Kirkwood’s designs continue to influence runway styling, off-runway moments, and Victoria’s Secret’s broader legacy, the stories below offer a focused place to continue.