Actress Tabu and other models walk barefoot at Lakme Fashion Week

Is this the end of heels and shoes on the fashion runway?

By Diya

12-10-2025 | New Delhi

Is this the end of heels on the fashion runway? While the transition of models from high heels to wedges and sneakers was natural, something totally unexpected happened at this year's Lakme-FDCI Fashion Week in Delhi. Runway not just avoided heels, but during some shows, models totally shunned footwears.

Bollywood actress Tabu was the first to show the courage to walk the runway without wearing shoes. Tabu, who was the showstopper for designer Mohit Rai's 'Noor' collection, walked onto the stage gracefully. The collection featured bridalwear designs beautifully enhanced by the traditional mirror work technique called 'Sheesh Pashida Jaal'.

When Tabu, dressed in an emerald green Banarasi brocade anarkali, twirled the flare of her outfit in front of the audience, many noticed that the star walked the runway barefoot.

In the Nexa Spotlight show held on Sunday evening, none of the models presenting designer Naushad Ali's 'Continuum' collection wore shoes. They walked the runway barefoot.

Recently, there has been an increasing trend of distinct experiments, including the exclusion of heels, even on international fashion runways. Models walking in slippers instead of heels no longer raise eyebrows.

Such experiments are only natural in the era of a generation rewriting the definition of fashion as comfort. However, it is doubtful how much such practices should be encouraged at serious venues like a fashion week. When an outfit reaches the runway, it is presented as a complete look, including accessories.