Cardi B sent out a PSA to the footwear industry on Instagram. Not mincing words, the rapper went on a brief rant about what she deems to be a lack of “It” shoes and boots coming from the major fashion houses.
The rapper shared a video to her Instagram Story earlier this week to deliver the message, captioning it: “Y’all better come strong with the shoes next season.” In the video, Cardi shared her thoughts on there not being a trending shoe this year, mentioning the Christian Louboutin Cassia platform ballerina pumps as the only exception. Cynthia Erivo wore the shoes to perform at the 2025 Grammy Awards in February.
“To all you fashion houses out here, I’m going to give y’all a little warning. I’m going to tell you a little something. I feel like last year or like this summer there is not a shoe that is gagging. There’s not a shoe that is that trend that everybody wants,” Cardi said in the clip. “Except for them Christian Louboutin big ballerina shoes, the big heel ones. Those were something.”
In terms of what style of shoes she’s looking for, the rapper was detailed saying exactly what she’s hoping to get from footwear designers next season. While it’s currently summer, the Grammy winner says people are still looking for a pair of boots that will leave them amazed.
Cynthia Erivo wearing the Louboutin Cassia platform heels at the Grammy Awards in February.
Christopher Polk
“Other than that, we want good boots. Last year, there wasn’t a lot of good boots. We want good boots,” she continued. “We want big, tall boots. We want big, long, heeled boots. I feel like there hasn’t been a boot that gags us.”
Most recently, Cardi was spotted attending a Knicks game with boyfriend Stefon Diggs wearing a pair of Courrèges’ Oblique wedged leather boots, which are a mix of sandals and boots. Earlier this year, while in Miami she wore a pair of brown leather strappy sandals hailing from Vivienne Westwood circa spring 2009. She has been wearing Marc Jacob’s ever-popular Kiki boots, as well as other vintage platform Vivienne Westwood designs, including pumps and boots.
Cardi B wearing vintage Vivienne Westwood platform heels at Balmain RTW Spring 2025 as part of Paris Ready to Wear Fashion Week held at Palais de Chaillot on Sept. 25, 2024 in Paris.
River Callaway
In the clip, the rapper said she has been digging in the fashion archives for the right shoes because of the lack that she has experienced in the footwear market. “That’s why we keep buying vintage shoes, because y’all are not coming,” she said. “I’m telling you the truth, the shoes haven’t been gagging.”
Fans responded to the post after it recirculated on X. Some agreed with her sentiment, with one person adding, “She isn’t lying. I’m not impressed with any of it.” Another user added: “That’s why everybody wearing vintage pieces now.”
Other fans chimed in, mentioning designers and brands that they believe are delivering awe-worthy shoes. “Jennifer Le answering the call right now! Her skill set is iconic!!” one fan wrote, naming the Canadian shoe designer whose boots were worn by Ashanti onstage at the 2025 BET Awards earlier this week. Other brands that were named were Alaïa, Loewe, Steve Madden and Luar.
Myha’la Herrold attends the 2025 Met Gala.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/
“Luar’s last show had some beautiful boots,” one wrote. Another referenced the custom high-heel Timberlands Luar’s Raul Lopez designed for “Industry” star Myha’la to wear to the 2025 Met Gala. “The Laur boots that were worn at the Met by bbygrl from ‘Industry’ were cute,” the fan wrote.
One fan explained that some fashion houses like Dior and Balenciaga have been in a state of flux as they select new creative directors, and now that they are in place, fashion fans can expect to see new designs hitting the runways soon.
While they may not fit Cardi’s taste, other footwear designers have released highly coveted collections this year and last year. Amina Muaddi’s “Drop 24/25” collection, which she dropped earlier this year, featured new footwear styles, including the Anok line named for Anok Yai, alongside a range of boots, heels, and her signature flared-heel designs. French fashion houses, Maison Margiela and Christian Louboutin, also joined forces earlier this year to create their first capsule shoe collection.
Christian Louboutin by Maison Margiela’s Xrismarteen shoe.
The collection included seven shoe designs across two capsules: Maison Margiela by Christian Louboutin and Christian Louboutin by Maison Margiela, each featuring three and four styles, respectively, including some with Margiela’s signature Tabi style. They also included the Xrismarteen, a knee-length boot with a 100-mm heel, which features draped strips of leather along its shaft, unveiling the lining of the shoe. The boot and the collection have already been worn by celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Teyana Taylor.
Cardi’s message may inspire some designers to deliver exactly what she’s looking for in the coming seasons. However, some fans urged her to take the opportunity to design her own styles, following in the footsteps of other stars like Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker, who have released collaborations with designers or their own shoe lines.
Since her debut in the spotlight, the “Bodak Yellow” star has established a name for herself in fashion by collaborating with renowned designers and stylists, and is now a staple at major fashion events, including the Met Gala and fashion week.
