At the amfAR Gala New York held at Cipriani Wall Street on February 7, 2018, celebrities arrived in everything from crystal-covered couture gowns to minimalist evening dresses, creating a wide range of red-carpet looks united by one common element: statement footwear.
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From Halsey’s towering Jimmy Choo platforms and Heidi Klum’s understated Neil J. Rodgers sandals to Olivia Culpo’s classic Gianvito Rossi Portofinos, the evening offered a snapshot of the shoe styles that continue to appear on red carpets years later.
Below, take a closer look at the outfits and heels that completed some of the event’s most memorable looks.
1. Halsey Stuns in Georges Hobeika Gown & Towering Jimmy Choo ‘Max’ Sandals
The American singer-songwriter showed more than she’d bargained for in a strapless black dress from the Georges Hobeika Spring 2018 Collection featuring a slit that exposed her pelvis.
Halsey has two roses tattooed on her left shoulder and a portrait tattoo on her left upper arm with the word “EVERYTHING” written below it
While the gown attracted attention for its dramatic slit, the American singer completed the look with Jimmy Choo’s Max platform sandals, a design defined by a towering 150mm heel, substantial front platform, and slim ankle strap that creates height without overwhelming the silhouette.
Introduced during the late 2010s platform revival, the Max quickly became a red-carpet favorite. On Your Next Shoes, the style has appeared on celebrities ranging from Zendaya at the 2018 Met Gala and Zoe Saldaña at the Avengers: Infinity War premiere to Hailey Baldwin at Tiffany & Co.’s Paper Flowers event, Jennifer Lopez at the Venice Film Festival, and Jenna Ortega at the Scream VI premiere.
Crafted in Italy in materials ranging from suede and patent leather to glitter finishes, the sandal combines an open round toe with a pin-thin stiletto and elevated platform sole. On Halsey, those proportions balanced the gown’s high slit while reinforcing the elongated, leg-lengthening effect that made the Max one of Jimmy Choo’s signature evening styles.
Halsey wears a black Georges Hobeika gown with a high slit and towering Jimmy Choo ‘Max’ sandals at the 2018 amfAR Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on February 7, 2018 (Credit: WENN / Dennis Van Tine / Future Image / Patricia Schlein)
Halsey accessorized with 18-karat white gold and white diamond bow tie earrings from Lorraine Schwartz and a white diamond dragonfly ring.
With an immaculate pedicure, Halsey shows off the dramatic height of her Jimmy Choo ‘Max’ platform sandals
2. Heidi Klum Glitters in Crystal Zuhair Murad & Chic Neil J. Rodgers ‘Stella’ Sandals
Heidi Klum wore a black asymmetrical gown from the Zuhair Murad Spring 2017 Couture collection, accented with electric-blue crystal embellishments along the high slit.
Models Toni Loba, Heidi Klum, and Barbara Meier attend the 2018 amfAR Gala New York
Heidi Klum completed her look with Lorraine Schwartz sapphire earrings and the Neil J. Rodgers Stella sandals—a minimalist yet elegant design beloved by red-carpet regulars.
Heidi Klum smiles for the camera in a dazzling black Zuhair Murad gown adorned with electric blue crystals at the 2018 amfAR Gala
Handcrafted in Italy from supple nappa leather, the Stella features a sleek single-strap front and a walkable 65-mm (2.5-inch) breasted block heel that blends style with comfort.
Heidi Klum completes her dazzling Zuhair Murad gown with classic Neil J. Rodgers ‘Stella’ sandals at the amfAR Gala
On Your Next Shoes, the style has appeared on celebrities including Jenna Dewan at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards after-party and Mila Kunis during the promotional tour for Bad Moms. In each case, the sandal complemented the outfit rather than competing with it, illustrating why minimalist evening sandals remain a reliable red-carpet choice.
For Heidi Klum, the Stella served a similar purpose. Its streamlined silhouette balanced the crystal embellishments of her Zuhair Murad gown, allowing the dress to remain the focal point while providing a polished finish from head to toe.
3. Olivia Culpo Sparkles in Metallic Redemption Dress & Gianvito Rossi ‘Portofino’ Sandals
Olivia Culpo wears a sleek updo to complement her sparkly, one-shouldered Redemption gown
The American model wore a silver metallic off-the-shoulder dress from the Redemption Fall 2017 Couture collection, pairing the reflective fabric with equally polished accessories.
Olivia Culpo in a Redemption Fall 2017 Couture gown at the 2018 amfAR Gala New York at Cipriani Wall Street on February 7, 2018, in New York City (Credit: WENN / Dennis Van Tine / Future Image / Patricia Schlein)
Olivia Culpo accessorized her metallic Redemption gown with a David Yurman Supernova ring and Gianvito Rossi’s iconic Portofino ankle-strap sandals.
A modern classic since its 2014 debut, the Portofino is celebrated for its minimalist elegance—defined by a slim strap across the toes, a high back, and a rounded ankle buckle often covered in the same material for a seamless finish.
Olivia Culpo shows off her perfect pedicure in classic Gianvito Rossi ‘Portofino’ sandals
On Your Next Shoes, the Portofino has appeared on celebrities including Charlize Theron at the Girlboss premiere, Karlie Kloss during a Marilyn Monroe-inspired appearance, Ciara at Billboard’s Women in Music event, and Eva Longoria during the Cannes Film Festival. The style has also proven versatile beyond the red carpet, appearing in looks worn by Demi Lovato at LAX and again at a summer concert appearance.
That versatility helps explain the sandal’s longevity. More than a decade after its introduction, the Portofino remains one of Gianvito Rossi’s signature designs, offering a clean, unobtrusive silhouette that complements a wide range of outfits without drawing attention away from them. Olivia Culpo’s metallic Redemption gown provided exactly the type of look the sandal was designed to support: glamorous, streamlined, and focused on proportion rather than excess.