Willow Shields’ Cinderella Premiere Look Proves the Power of the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist”

On March 1, 2015, at the Hollywood premiere of Disney’s Cinderella at the El Capitan Theatre, Willow Shields stepped onto the red carpet in a look that reflected the experimental edge of mid-2010s event dressing—anchored, above all, by her footwear.

Willow Shields arrives at the Cinderella premiere with a polished beauty look, wearing her hair swept back to spotlight softly defined brows and luminous skin in Hollywood on March 1, 2015 (Credit: WENN / Brian To)

Best known at the time for her role as Primrose Everdeen in The Hunger Games, Shields paired an Alfredo Villalba Spring 2015 striped PVC dress with gold Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals, a choice that quietly grounded the bold silhouette.

Framed against the film’s backdrop, Shields’ black-and-white floral bodice highlights the intricate detailing and structured craftsmanship of her red-carpet ensemble

With their barely-there straps and gleaming metallic finish, the heels elongated the leg line and brought balance and restraint to an otherwise statement-driven ensemble.

More than a decade later, the styling still reads clearly: when a look leans directional, a precisely chosen shoe can provide proportion, polish, and red-carpet clarity without competing for attention.

Often called the “Little Black Dress” of shoes, the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandal became iconic almost immediately after its 2013 debut because it solved a specific problem for Hollywood stylists: finding a heel that works with virtually any outfit without competing with the garment itself.

The actress poses confidently in a striped PVC skirt and embroidered top, letting the bold textures take center stage while keeping the overall silhouette youthful and modern

Unlike many red-carpet staples from houses such as Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin—where prices often climb well past the four-figure mark—the Nudist launched at a considered mid-luxury price point, typically around $395–$450.

That balance of design integrity and relative accessibility helped cement its status as an aspirational yet attainable investment, a rare opportunity for fashion fans to own a genuine piece of red-carpet history.

More than a decade on, updated renditions remain readily available through retailers like Zappos and Nordstrom, underscoring the style’s lasting relevance rather than trend-driven appeal.

A close-up of her gold Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals shows the barely-there straps and metallic finish that elongate the leg and quietly anchor the statement look

At just 14 years old at the time, Shields’ appearance also sparked conversation—not about excess or spectacle, but about how young actresses were styled during a period when minimalist, leg-lengthening heels like the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” were widely treated as red-carpet defaults.

Some observers felt the footwear skewed mature for her age, while others viewed the choice as consistent with the era’s emphasis on clean lines and proportion rather than embellishment.

Why the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” Remains a Red-Carpet Essential

Willow Shields’ choice of the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals places her firmly within a long lineage of celebrities who rely on the style as a red-carpet constant.

Designed to disappear visually while doing the structural work of elongation and balance, the Nudist has earned its reputation as a stylist’s go-to—equally effective with experimental silhouettes, classic gowns, and everything in between.

Below, explore how other stars have used the iconic sandal to anchor their most memorable shoe and fashion moments.