Blake Lively’s Guide to Maternity Style: Why the Jimmy Choo Hesper is a Red-Carpet Icon

Blake Lively’s appearances at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival in France remain a masterclass in maternity red-carpet styling.

While in town to promote the film Café Society, the actress paired bold advocacy with high-fashion footwear, notably at a photo call and a press luncheon, where she spoke out against insensitive industry commentary.

Blake Lively flashes a relaxed smile as her windswept hair catches the breeze while departing Nikki Beach during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival on May 12 (Credit: WENN / Radoslaw Nawrocki)

Beyond the headlines, Lively’s wardrobe choices—specifically her preference for Italian craftsmanship—solidified her status as a style icon. On May 12, 2016, she made a memorable exit from Nikki Beach restaurant, showcasing a gold Valentino ensemble grounded by one of the year’s most sought-after sandal silhouettes.

During the festival’s opening ceremony, French actor Laurent Lafitte sparked controversy with a joke regarding director Woody Allen. Blake spoke to Variety in an interview to voice her disappointment.

“I think any jokes about rape, homophobia, or Hitler is not a joke,” she said. “I think that was a hard thing to swallow in 30 seconds. Film festivals are such beautiful, respectful festivals of film and artists, and to have that it felt like it wouldn’t have happened if it was in the 1940s.”

Blake Lively steps through the Cannes crowds in a flowing gold Valentino dress, her look finished with minimalist silver Jimmy Choo sandals that subtly peek out beneath the hem during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival (Credit: WENN / Radoslaw Nawrocki)

“Not in the room, but after the show, I was told that there were strong reactions,” Laurent Lafitte later told THR, clarifying that his comments were intended as a critique of American puritanism rather than a personal slight.

Shifting the focus to the fashion, Blake opted for a flowing gold dress from the Valentino Fall 2016 collection, featuring a peplum bodice and crystal-encrusted hem.

She accessorized the look with an abstract-print patent leather Christian Louboutin clutch and a pair of Jimmy Choo “Hesper” sandals.

The “Hesper” is a quintessential minimalist sandal. Handcrafted in Italy, the design features slender, “barely-there” straps in mirrored silver leather, supported by a sharp stiletto heel. Its clean lines make it a timeless choice for formal events.

Blake Lively shows off a soft pink pedicure in sleek, strappy silver Jimmy Choo sandals, the minimalist design highlighting both her polished toes and the sandal’s barely-there elegance (Credit: WENN / Radoslaw Nawrocki)

Part of what makes the Jimmy Choo “Hesper” ankle-strap sandal a perennial red-carpet favorite is its ability to disappear visually while doing the heavy lifting stylistically—elongating the leg, grounding statement gowns, and reflecting light like fine jewelry.

On Your Next Shoes, Gabrielle Union demonstrated the sandal’s power with sharp tailoring, pairing metallic Hesper heels with a tuxedo-inspired premiere look, while Victoria Justice relied on the same minimalist silhouette to balance a crystal-embellished Pamella Roland gown at amfAR.

The design is equally effective with high-impact sparkle—Dakota Fanning anchored her Monique Lhuillier sequin mini with silver Jimmy Choo Hesper sandals at The Neon Demon premiere—and with modern suiting, as Kate Mara styled her metallic suit with the same barely-there sandals at the Hollywood Film Awards. Across gowns, sequins, and tailoring, the Hesper’s clean straps and razor-sharp stiletto explain why it remains a stylist-approved staple for major red-carpet moments.

While originally part of the 2016 collections, you can often find the Hesper and similar Jimmy Choo staples in various colorways at Farfetch and Mytheresa.

Jimmy Choo ‘Hesper’ Ankle Strap Sandal Details

The criss-cross straps meet in a delicate buckle at the ankle, creating a secure and elegant fit

Blake Lively’s Enduring Shoe Legacy on the Red Carpet

Whether navigating Cannes in minimalist stilettos, embracing off-duty luxury in designer flats, or anchoring dramatic gowns with razor-sharp heels, Blake Lively consistently proves that footwear is the foundation of her fashion storytelling.

Her ability to balance statement dressing with carefully chosen shoes has made her a perennial reference point for red-carpet style—and a rich source of inspiration for shoe lovers tracking how luxury heels perform across seasons, silhouettes, and settings.