Ruby Red Slippers

The world’s most iconic footwear is getting a makeover from top designers. In celebration of the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Swarovski Crystallized Elements invited the world’s top shoe designers to reinterpret Dorothy’s iconic Ruby Slippers for modern times. These designers were granted creative license — and access to unlimited CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements — to re-imagine Dorothy’s design with their own vision of the sparkling Ruby Slipper.

The shoes will be on display at the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Store in Soho from September 15 to 23, giving the public one final chance to be enchanted by the Ruby Slipper Collection.

Following the showcase, the Collection will be auctioned at Warner Bros. Entertainment’s “Emerald Gala” at Tavern on the Green on September 24, 2009, to benefit long-term philanthropic partner, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.  The auction — open to global bidders — will be held online on www.rubyslipperauction.com starting September 10, with final bids closing and tabulated the evening of September 24, 2009.  Each pair of designer Ruby Slippers in the Collection will be auctioned off individually.

The “Emerald Gala” will feature special performances by Grammy Award winner Ashanti and Lorna Luft, the daughter of Judy Garland, as well as appearances by the original Munchkins and the Wizard of Oz National Tour cast.