Petite yet powerful at 5 ft 2½ in (158.8 cm), Winona Ryder has always proven that style isn’t measured in inches. Her Christian Louboutin “Simple” pumps may have been understated, but her words that day were anything but.
In September 2016, the Beetlejuice actress—known for her timeless elegance and a U.S. shoe size 7—took the stage in Los Angeles to introduce Tim Burton during his hand-and-footprint ceremony. In classic Winona fashion, she delivered a heartfelt speech that matched her minimalist Givenchy look: thoughtful, refined, and effortlessly chic.
Winona Ryder gives a speech at Tim Burton’s hand and footprint ceremony in Los Angeles on September 9, 2016 (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)
Winona Ryder and Tim Burton: A Creative Legacy
The director was honored for his visionary body of work — including Beetlejuice, the 1988 cult favorite that catapulted Winona Ryder to fame.
After seeing her in the 1986 coming-of-age film Lucas, Tim Burton cast the then-15-year-old actress as Lydia Deetz, a gothic teen navigating life in a haunted home alongside spirits portrayed by Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, and Michael Keaton.
Winona Ryder channels gothic charm as Lydia Deetz in Tim Burton’s 1988 classic Beetlejuice — the breakout role that defined her darkly elegant aesthetic (Credit: Warner Bros.)
Filming for Beetlejuice began in early 1987, when Winona Ryder was just 15. Born on October 29, 1971, in Winona, Minnesota, she was only 16 when the film premiered the following spring—sharing the screen with Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, and Geena Davis.
Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse and Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice (1988), where Ryder’s red tulle wedding dress became one of Tim Burton’s most iconic costume moments (Credit: Warner Bros.)
A Fashionable Tribute: Winona Ryder’s Look
Winona Ryder attends Tim Burton’s hand and footprint ceremony in Los Angeles, wearing a black Givenchy dress with subtle diamond motifs and classic Christian Louboutin “Simple” pumps
Winona, who now has a new lease on her acting career with Stranger Things after her acting hiatus, wore a Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci studded A-line dress.
Winona Ryder Keeps It Classic in Christian Louboutin’s Timeless “Simple” Pumps
The actress styled her look with minimal jewelry — just a few rings and delicate earrings — and completed her outfit with Christian Louboutin’s iconic “Simple” pumps, one of the brand’s most timeless and versatile designs.
A closer look at Winona Ryder’s black Christian Louboutin “Simple” pumps, featuring the brand’s signature red soles and rounded-toe elegance
Unlike the sharply pointed Pigalle or So Kate, the Simple features a rounded toe and moderate vamp for a softer, more classic silhouette. Often released in 85 mm and 100 mm heel heights (with some “New Simple” versions adding a discreet platform), it’s celebrated for marrying elegance with comfort — a reliable choice for red carpets, long ceremonies, and everyday polish alike.
As straight-to-the-point as this look is, we must admit that Winona looked pretty good — she makes us want to turn understated beauty into a trend.
Winona Ryder honors the man who launched her career, Tim Burton (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)
A Heartfelt Introduction: Honoring Tim Burton
In her heartfelt tribute, Winona praised Tim Burton as a visionary she’d “work with again in a heartbeat,” crediting him for shaping her early career through Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands.
“Tim understands the human heart,” she said, “and celebrates the misunderstood in ways that are tender, terrifying, and often hilarious.”
More From Winona Ryder’s Louboutin Legacy
Even though Winona’s classic Christian Louboutin “Simple” pumps are now sold out, her timeless style continues to inspire. Explore more Louboutin moments and celebrity favorites that capture the same blend of sophistication and edge:
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- 👗 Ashley Greene Rocks Louboutin So Kate at Venice Film Festival — an example of how a pointed-toe stiletto makes its red-carpet statement.
- 🩰 10 Must-Have Christian Louboutin Shoes — 2023’s Best Picks — curated designs and style ideas from past seasons.
Christian Louboutin Simple Round-Toe Pumps, $675