Rita Ora’s rise to global stardom began in 2012, though her “first” song is a matter of geography.
Rita Ora performing songs from her debut album at Estádio do Dragão, an all-seater football stadium in Porto, Portugal, on May 18, 2012 (Credit: Will Alexander / WENN / Rui M Leal / Will Alexander)
While she spent 2011 building a digital following through YouTube covers, her breakout moment came on February 13, 2012, as the lead vocalist on DJ Fresh’s drum-and-bass hit, “Hot Right Now.”
This collaboration set the stage for her debut studio album, Ora, which was released on August 24 via Roc Nation.
English musician DJ Fresh asked Rita Ora to be the female vocalist for his song “Hot Right Now” after seeing her videos on YouTube
Her chart-topping success in the United Kingdom was spearheaded by the single “R.I.P.” (released May 6, 2012), whereas audiences in the United States and Australia were introduced to her via the party anthem “How We Do (Party)” in March of that same year.
The song “R.I.P.” was released as the lead single from Rita Ora’s debut album in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2012
Beyond her discography, the ShoeDazzle footwear designer is frequently cited for her eccentric street style.
A prime example of her “high-low” fashion philosophy occurred on December 24, 2015, when she was photographed arriving at London’s Heathrow Airport following a performance in Hong Kong.
Rita Ora ditches the makeup and hides her hair under a hat as she arrives at London’s Heathrow Airport on December 24, 2015
Ditching her stage makeup for a relaxed travel look, Ora leaned into a streetwear aesthetic that remains a reference point for luxury utility wear.
She wore a full camouflage ensemble from A Bathing Ape’s 1st Camo line, balancing the bold pattern with high-end accessories, including Christian Dior sunglasses.
Rita Ora arrives at the airport in a head-to-toe A Bathing Ape camouflage tracksuit, grounding the bold streetwear look with chunky black platform boots
The centerpiece of her travel outfit was a pair of Louis Vuitton “Palm Canyon Desert” boots. These $1,270 shoes featured a rugged silhouette with monogram canvas accents, perfectly bridging the gap between a military aesthetic and Parisian luxury.
A close-up highlights the rugged black platform boot, featuring a thick lug sole and block heel that add height and edge to Rita Ora’s travel outfit
Rita Ora isn’t the only star to treat Louis Vuitton’s tougher, lug-sole boot moment as the ultimate “airport armor”—Your Next Shoes has also spotted Ashley Tisdale in the exact Louis Vuitton “Palm Canyon Desert” boots, proving the silhouette’s cult status beyond a single street-style sighting.
For the same confident, stomp-ready energy in different LV iterations, bookmark Diane Keaton’s dapper take on Louis Vuitton “Star Trail” lace-up boots, Kendall Jenner’s sleek Louis Vuitton “Republic” ankle boots at LAX, and Selena Gomez’s cozy-chic Louis Vuitton Pillow ankle boots on a winter NYC set—then swing back to the runway-to-red-carpet pipeline with Alicia Vikander’s chunky lug-sole Louis Vuitton boots at the Met Gala and Chloë Grace Moretz in Louis Vuitton “Berlin” knee-high boots at Paris Fashion Week.
Rita Ora wears an all-camouflage outfit with a pair of “Palm Canyon Desert” boots at London’s Heathrow Airport
While no longer available at retail, these boots are still highly sought after on luxury consignment platforms like The RealReal.
The Louis Vuitton “Palm Canyon Desert” boot is shown in detail, combining smooth leather and suede panels with wraparound straps, metal eyelets, and a heavy-duty platform sole
More Rita Ora Shoe Moments Worth Bookmarking
From sky-high red-carpet heels to off-duty airport boots, Rita Ora’s footwear choices continue to define her fearless approach to fashion. If this Louis Vuitton moment caught your eye, explore more of her standout shoe and style appearances below—each one spotlighting how Ora uses footwear to anchor her bold, ever-evolving looks.
👠 Explore Rita Ora’s Best Shoe & Fashion Moments on Your Next Shoes:
- ✨ Rita Ora’s Red Carpet Style: From Stuart Weitzman to Zanotti Wedges — a deep dive into her most iconic red carpet shoe moments.
- 🛫 Rita Ora Turns Heads at Heathrow in Neon Fendi Sock Boots — fearless travel fashion with eye-catching boot energy.
- 💖 Rita Ora & Emma Bunton’s Shoe Moments at the Music Industry Trust Awards — bold pink Russell & Bromley slingbacks take center stage.
- 👢 Rita Ora’s Distressed Prada Antiqued Pumps Steal the Show — a contemporary editorial moment blending “ugly-chic” footwear with fall aesthetics.
- 🏙️ Rita Ora Turns NYC Into Her Runway With 3 Bold Looks — edgy street style and statement boots in Downtown NYC.
- 🔥 Rita Ora Dazzles in Red Over-the-Knee Boots at the Make Some Noise Gala — dramatic, high-impact boots anchoring her performance look.