Blake Lively was feeling the Oz fever along with the rest of the world this week. On December 3, the actress joined “Wicked” stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for a screening of the blockbuster in New York City. Lively, who famously styles herself, chose a white blazer and jeans for the look. She carried a white Chanel shoulder bag featuring floral embroidery that matched the embroidery on her shirt. But for shoes, Lively went for something special.
Lively’s shoes were a special style. They were the product of Marc Jacobs celebrating the 85th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz.” So to fete the milestone, Jacobs took his Kiki boot and rendered it in a relatively demure Mary Jane style. This featured one Mary Jane strap in place of the sometimes 11 that can come on the Kiki boots. It kept the sculpted block heel the Kiki silhouettes are known for.
In addition, he covered the red shoes in red rhinestones. The shoe is still available at various retailers for $450. Lively wore it with blue socks as Dorothy wore in the 1939 “Wizard of Oz” film.
Some were confused that the slippers do not appear red in “Wicked.” The shoes, which were originally worn by Elphaba’s mother before being given to her sister Nessarose are studded in crystals but are not red. The choice goes back to the original 1900 book “The Wizard of Oz.” In that original text, the slippers were silver. In the film they are red to take advantage of Technicolor, layering them over blue socks.
Of the red slippers made for the film, only four pair are known to have survived. One of them was stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in Minnesota but found by the FBI in 2018. They were reportedly covered in 2,300 red sequins. last month, they went up for auction. They are still up for auction with the current bid at $1,550,000. After the buyer’s premium is applied the anonymous bidder will pay $1,910,000.
Lively’s wear for “Wicked” makes her the latest in an ever-growing group of celebrities wearing Marc Jacobs Kiki styles. These are generally the company’s knee-high boot or the shorter bootie.
