9 Best Celebrity Heels at the 2014 Met Gala: Bold, Daring, and Unforgettable

In 2014, the Met Gala was once again the fashion event of the year—daring, theatrical, and often more exciting than the Oscars. While the Academy Awards tend to lean classic and refined, the Met invites celebrities to go bold, push boundaries, and embrace couture creativity.

The 2014 gala took place on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and while we were eager to see what the A-listers would bring, we were slightly underwhelmed by the overall turnout. There were far fewer jaw-dropping looks than we’d hoped for.

Taylor Swift, Emmy Rossum, Blake Lively, and Karolina Kurkova scored high fashion-wise on the red carpet of the 2014 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 5, 2014 (Credit: Andres Otero / Alberto Reyes / Rob Rich / Michael Carpenter / WENN)

Still, a handful of stars delivered unforgettable fashion moments—Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Suki Waterhouse, Rihanna, and Emmy Rossum stood out among the crowd.

But surprisingly, some red carpet regulars, such as Kate Bosworth, Diane Kruger, and even Nicole Richie, missed the mark this time.

Nicole Richie, Kate Bosworth, and Diane Kruger opted for simplicity and elegance at the 2014 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 5, 2014

That’s not to say the red carpet was a total letdown—many celebrities were dressed reasonably well. But compared to the high bar set in previous years, we couldn’t help but expect more. Even Beyoncé’s head-to-toe Givenchy ensemble, while elegant, didn’t quite deliver the wow factor we’ve come to associate with the Met Gala. It may have been the theme—“Beyond Fashion,” a tribute to legendary designer Charles James—that encouraged a more subdued take on glamour.

Still, we enjoyed soaking up the style parade. While most attendees opted for dramatic, floor-length gowns that covered their shoes, a few let their heels shine. Some footwear choices impressed, others missed the mark—but all stood out enough to warrant a closer look. Below, we’ve rounded up nine celebrities who made a statement with their shoes at the 2014 Met Gala.

1. Cara Delevingne’s Monochrome Met Moment: Stella McCartney Suit & Platform Pumps

Cara Delevingne turned heads in a sharply tailored black-and-white ensemble, pairing sleek high-waisted trousers with bold cutouts and contrasting platform pumps for a striking twist on red carpet suiting

Cara Delevingne wore a custom Stella McCartney outfit that stood out for its bold, unconventional take on red-carpet fashion.

Her look featured high-waisted white trousers paired with a black, strappy cut-out crop top that bared her midriff, perfectly capturing her signature edgy-meets-glam style.

Cara Delevingne added edge to her monochrome look with black-and-white platform pumps featuring a glossy croc-embossed finish and sharply pointed toes

She completed the daring ensemble with black-and-white platform pumps from Stella McCartney’s Fall 2012 collection, adding a sleek, architectural finish to the modern monochrome look.

Stella McCartney Scott Pumps, Fall 2012

2. Emma Stone’s Fresh Take: Pink Thakoon Two-Piece & Metallic Miu Miu Sandals

Emma Stone brought a pop of color to the red carpet in a custom two-piece ensemble by Thakoon.

The bold look paired a fuchsia crop top with a crisscross back with a vibrant hot-pink wrap skirt featuring a thigh-high slit and a short train—fresh, modern, and unmistakably youthful.

Emma Stone embraced modern elegance in a custom Thakoon look, pairing a fuchsia crop top with a hot-pink wrap skirt and metallic accessories for a fresh, youthful red carpet moment

She styled the outfit with metallic ankle-strap sandals from Miu Miu, a coordinating Tod’s clutch in metallic magenta, and delicate jewelry from Graziela Gems and EF Collection. While the look felt polished, some might argue it played things a little too safe for such a fashion-forward event.

Emma Stone completed her vibrant look with sleek metallic Miu Miu ankle-strap sandals

3. Georgia May Jagger Goes Bold: Mugler Gown & Sergio Rossi Heels

Georgia May Jagger embraced daring elegance in a plunging, strappy Thierry Mugler gown with a thigh-high slit, pairing it with sleek Sergio Rossi ankle-strap pumps and soft, vintage-inspired curls

Georgia May Jagger made a bold statement in a striking black halter-neck gown by Thierry Mugler.

The daring design featured a deep plunging neckline that extended to her navel, connected by five slim horizontal straps. It was lined with pink silk and had a dramatic thigh-high slit that revealed her legs and back.

The look balanced Old Hollywood glamour with a distinctly edgy, risqué twist, perfectly in line with her role as the face of Mugler’s Angel perfume.

Georgia May Jagger’s Sergio Rossi pumps featured a sharp pointed toe and delicate ankle strap, adding a refined edge to her sultry Mugler gown

She styled the gown with sharp, ankle-strap pointy pumps from Sergio Rossi and wore her signature blonde waves in soft curls, keeping the makeup minimal to let the gown do the talking.

4. Kim Kardashian in Midnight Blue: Lanvin Dress & T-Strap Pumps

Kim Kardashian wore a custom midnight-blue Lanvin gown designed by Alber Elbaz. The strapless silk-satin dress featured a plunging neckline, structured bodice, and a dramatic high-low hemline with a sweeping train.

A black sash with gold hardware cinched her waist, adding a touch of contrast and edge. While the gown had bold elements, the overall silhouette didn’t quite flatter her figure—it added volume in ways that felt unbalanced.

Her footwear choice, a pair of black strappy T-strap pumps, was elegant but didn’t fully harmonize with the gown’s modern structure.

Kim Kardashian wearing Lanvin with her t-strap heels at the 2014 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 5, 2014

5. Marion Cotillard’s Retro-Futurism: Dior Couture & Embellished Silver Heels

Marion Cotillard embodied effortless French elegance in a strapless Christian Dior Haute Couture gown. The navy blue dress featured a structured bodice and a voluminous, pleated floor-length skirt with a soft sheen reflecting the theme’s classic couture tribute.

Marion Cotillard turned heads in a navy Christian Dior Haute Couture dress with a geometric cutout overlay, pairing the sculptural silhouette with silver retro-futuristic heels and a sleek chignon

True to Dior’s refined aesthetic, the silhouette was timeless and sophisticated. She kept her accessories minimal with Chopard earrings and styled her hair in a sleek, low chignon.

Her retro-inspired yet undeniably modern standout heels added a gleaming, futuristic twist to the otherwise classic ensemble.

Marion Cotillard’s statement heels combined crystal embellishments, metallic accents, and a bold red detail, blending retro glamour with futuristic edge for a truly standout finish

6. Leighton Meester Channels Old Hollywood: Pucci Gown & Jimmy Choo “Deny” Sandals

Leighton Meester exuded vintage-inspired glamour in a shimmering gold gown by Emilio Pucci.

The floor-length dress featured a plunging V-neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and subtle cut-out details at the waist, striking a balance between classic elegance and modern sophistication.

She paired the look with metallic Jimmy Choo sandals that perfectly echoed the gown’s golden tones.

Keeping the focus on the dress, Meester styled her hair in soft, romantic waves and chose minimal accessories—a small clutch and understated jewelry—while a bold red lip added a touch of old-Hollywood allure.

Leighton Meester at the 2014 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 5, 2014

Leighton’s strappy heels are called the “Deny” from Jimmy Choo. These sandals feature ruched nude suede straps trimmed with gold at the edges.

Jimmy Choo “Deny” Sandals

7. Lupita Nyong’o’s Flapper Fantasy: Beaded Prada Dress & Jeweled Sandals

Lupita Nyong’o embraced bold fashion in a custom Prada ensemble that ranked among the evening’s most daring looks. Her jade-green outfit featured a beaded, feather-trimmed netted dress layered over a coordinating bikini-style top and shorts, channeling a flapper-inspired aesthetic with a modern twist.

Lupita Nyong’o embraced bold, flapper-inspired fashion in a jade-green Prada ensemble adorned with beads, feathers, and fringe, pairing the daring look with gold accessories and Cartier jewels

The sheer, fringed skirt and 1920s references sparked debate, with some applauding the risk and others questioning its fit for the formal occasion.

She completed the look with gold Prada ankle-strap sandals, a matching box clutch, and Cartier jewelry, including statement earrings and a bracelet. With her hair styled in a sleek updo and fresh, minimal makeup, Lupita let the vibrant, theatrical ensemble take center stage.

Lupita Nyong’o’s gold Prada sandals featured jeweled green embellishments and ankle straps, echoing the vibrant texture and color of her beaded flapper-inspired dress

8. Rita Ora’s Dramatic Edge: Donna Karan Gown & Thigh-High Casadei Boots

Rita Ora made a dramatic entrance in a custom Donna Karan Atelier gown that fused Old Hollywood glamour with fierce, modern edge.

The strapless, champagne-hued dress was crafted from antiqued matte gold sequined silk tulle and featured a daring low-cut neckline, thigh-high slit, and an asymmetrical sculpted train that added movement and boldness.

She amped up the look with custom over-the-knee Casadei boots embroidered in matching gold sequins, giving the ensemble a striking, gladiator-inspired finish.

Rita accessorized with diamond rings by Lorraine Schwartz and kept her beauty look polished with sleek, side-parted hair and soft, understated makeup.

Rita Ora wearing striking strappy thigh-high pumps at the 2014 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 5, 2014

Rita’s look definitely pushed boundaries—some may find it over the top, but there’s no denying her commitment to making a statement. At this point, we’ve come to expect bold, theatrical fashion from her, and she consistently delivers red carpet moments that get people talking.

While her thigh-high Casadei boots might not be to everyone’s taste, they were a daring and memorable choice that perfectly matched the gown’s high-impact drama. Love it or not, we admire her fearless approach to fashion.

9. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s Power Look: Balmain Mini & Gladiator Heels

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley closed out the evening’s standout shoe moments in a showstopping custom Balmain gown. The bronze, form-fitting design featured structured shoulders, a plunging neckline, and intricate detailing that highlighted Balmain’s signature fusion of strength and glamour.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley turned heads in a custom Balmain mini dress featuring bold leopard print, gold embellishments, and structured leather accents, styled with gladiator heels and oversized statement earrings

The shimmering fabric hugged her statuesque frame, with a slight train adding just the right touch of red carpet drama. Rosie kept the focus on the dress with minimal accessories—delicate earrings, a sleek low bun, and softly smudged eye makeup paired with a nude lip. From head to toe, the look was polished, powerful, and effortlessly on-brand.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley completed her fierce Balmain look with black gladiator-style heels featuring gold hardware and intricate strap detailing for a bold, architectural finish