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The gold knee-high boots Kylie Minogue spun around the MCG in on Saturday afternoon could outshine her iconic gold hot pants in the fashion stakes after one of the most memorable AFL grand final performances of all time.
Though Minogue wore three custom outfits from Dolce & Gabbana during her celebrated pre-game performance, it was her choice of boots from the Melbourne label Bared Footwear that we can’t get out of our heads.
Like her clothing choices, Minogue’s boots were custom-made. Bared founder Anna Baird travelled to her factory in China and personally brought them back for the big event.
When the grand final performance was announced, Baird, who founded the footwear label 18 years ago, contacted Minogue’s stylist, Frank Strachan, to see if they could work with the Grammy winner.
“She was really happy to be in an Australian brand,” Baird said. “We ended up getting her seven different pairs and I brought them back myself from the factory.”
Another reason for the customer order: Minogue’s special specifications. “She’s got tiny feet … She actually ended up in a size 34, which is our smallest size,” Baird said.
Ultimately, Minogue opted for three pairs of Bared boots on game day, as well as a lower pair for rehearsals. The shoes had to be able to not only withstand rainy weather, but also hold firm as Kylie shimmied her way around the stage.
“She’s so iconic,” Baird said. “It was pretty awesome seeing her up there, and the shoes stood out so much.”
The 58-year-old star is one of a handful of A-list entertainers who have worn the label’s shoes recently. Meryl Streep and BlackPink popstar Jennie Kim are among fans of the brand.
“It’s quite cool that all these people are actually wanting to perform and be comfortable in shoes,” Baird said. “It makes a massive difference rather than teetering around in stilettos.”
Though Baird said the true test of success was if a celebrity asked for another pair, Minogue is now well stocked with seven pairs.
A trained podiatrist, Baird created the brand to fill what she saw as a gap in the market for shoes that were comfortable and wearable, but also stylish.
“Now we are very much a fashion brand that makes shoes that are comfortable, and I think the desirability is very much there,” she said.
Minogue opened her performance in a Dolce & Gabbana cotton mesh tank top embellished with her name, a belt hung with red, white and black ribbons and Swarovski crystals, fishnet stockings and knee-high Bared boots in black.
She then changed into a mini-dress made from a vintage jersey T-shirt with lace-up details and the word “Melbourne” in gold lettering on the back, donned the gold knee-high boots and launched into the unmistakeable sounds of her dance floor anthem Spinnin’ Around.
To close the performance, Minogue emerged from a giant Sherrin football and soared above the crowd wearing a chiffon and chantilly lace gown with crystal mesh details – and opted for another pair of black boots.
Over the years, Kylie has used fashion to anchor each era as a pop chameleon, and told Vogue Australia her grand final outfits were carefully considered.
“Performing in the round at the MCG means every piece had to work from every angle and speak to the 100,000 [people] in the audience – as well as everyone tuned in at home,” she said. “All the looks are playful nods to signature looks that mean a lot to us, while also tying in the football theme.”
Baird is thrilled that Minogue has brought her shoes to a new audience, and hopes the gold boots will achieve the same cult status as Kylie’s gold hot pants – which are housed in the Australian Performing Arts Collection at the Arts Centre and rumoured to be worth $10 million.
“Hopefully people will remember these boots in 20 years when they look back on her grand final performance” Baird said. “That is pretty cool.”
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