Hans Christian Andersen used the red shoe as a symbol of wealth and vanity in his morality fairytale The Red Shoes.

FORBES: Christian Louboutin, YSL And What's So Special About Red-Soled Shoes

But red also carries connotations of wealth and power, particularly in the history of fashion and footwear.

FORBES: Christian Louboutin, YSL And What's So Special About Red-Soled Shoes