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When Sophie Grégoire Trudeau joined Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and First Lady Akie Abe at a cocktail event in Kashikojima, Japan, on Thursday, her metallic gold shoes made quite an impression.

Within hours, the Canadian-designed heels had a lengthy pre-order list.

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“We have a growing waitlist. I won’t give you the number, but it’s significant enough that I’m smiling,” said Elle AyoubZadeh, owner of the Toronto shoe line Zvelle.

“Sophie is Canada’s style icon.”

The shoes that are making AyoubZadeh smile are a $425 per pair, handcrafted line of leather high heels called the “Ava.” Grégoire Trudeau first wore the style during her visit to the White House in March, and sported two different colours of the heel in Japan this week. Since then, AyoubZadeh says the demand for the Ava has soared.

“Whatever she does the world is watching, and as a result the benefits come back to Canada,” AyoubZadeh said.