At 5, 500 years old, the well preserved cow-hide shoe pre-dates Stonehenge by 400 years and the Pyramids of Giza by 1, 000 years.

BBC: 'Oldest leather shoe' discovered

Some of the more out-there runway shows, like Etro's "friendly cow"-themed hide-fest, are, beneath the production values, statements about talent and dexterity.

FORBES: Editor's Note