Pink and Red Color-Blocking: The Best Celebrity Shoes and Gowns from the 2019 Emmy Awards

While pink and red were once considered a color clash, the combination has become a recurring staple of high-profile red carpets.

The duo first gained modern momentum around 2016 when Taylor Swift wore a color-blocked ensemble to the Grammys, and Zendaya made her runway debut in a similar palette. Even Meryl Streep later embraced the look, proving the pairing’s longevity.

The trend reached a definitive peak at the 2019 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, where several attendees coordinated in shades of crimson and fuchsia. From satin sandals to metallic pumps, the event served as a case study in anchoring this bold color palette with the right footwear.

Mandy Moore Anchors Pink and Red With Brandon Maxwell Satin Heels

Mandy Moore in a custom Brandon Maxwell look at the 2019 Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 22, 2019 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

At the forefront of the evening was Mandy Moore, who arrived at the Microsoft Theater in a custom Brandon Maxwell design featuring a pink off-shoulder blouse and a red cummerbund skirt.

She grounded the look with red satin heels from the Brandon Maxwell Spring collection. The sandals featured a unique hardware detail: two miniature combination locks attached to the double ankle straps.

Mandy Moore’s feet in Brandon Maxwell’s red satin sandals, distinguished by signature combination-lock hardware and sleek double ankle straps, as seen on the Spring 2020 runway (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Marisa Tomei Contrasts Pink and Red With Silver Pointy-Toe Pumps

Marisa Tomei also opted to combine pink and red in a Ralph & Russo Fall 2019 Couture one-shoulder gown.

Though she didn’t bare her armpit hair this time, the actress did flaunt lots of leg, and her Barollo Italy silver pointy-toe pumps through her gown’s hip-high split.

Marisa Tomei stuns at the 2019 Emmy Awards in a pink-and-red Ralph & Russo Fall 2019 Couture one-shoulder gown, where fluid draping and a thigh-high slit spotlight her sharp metallic pumps, adding a bold, high-contrast finish to the look (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Many are finding Marisa’s silver pumps to be too jarring against her gown. Do you think she should have worn different shoes or at least a pair in either pink or red?

Marisa Tomei’s feet in Barollo Italy silver pointy-toe pumps, the mirror-like metallic finish and sharp vamp cutting through the pink-and-red palette with a striking, high-contrast edge (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Taraji P. Henson Softens Sheer Pink and Red With Tan Satin Sandals

If you thought Marisa Tomei’s dress was too sheer, get a load of Taraji P. Henson’s custom Vera Wang Collection pink-and-red dress.

Her dress was so see-through that you could see the tan skirt lining she had to wear underneath.

Taraji P. Henson commands attention at the 2019 Emmy Awards in a custom Vera Wang pink-and-red gown, where sheer layered tulle and a plunging neckline are grounded by delicate ankle-strap sandals that balance the look’s bold, high-contrast drama (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

The sheer layering introduces visual complexity, but Taraji P. Henson’s tan satin ankle-strap sandals provide a refined counterbalance—grounding the look with a soft neutral that tempers the bold pink-and-red palette while keeping the silhouette light and cohesive.

Close-up of Taraji P. Henson’s feet in tan satin ankle-strap sandals, the soft neutral tone and minimal straps balancing the sheer pink layers while subtly grounding the look (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Susan Kelechi Watson Twins the Trend in Red Satin Sandals

Susan Kelechi Watson was practically twinning with her This Is Us co-star, Mandy Moore.

Susan Kelechi Watson stuns at the 2019 Emmy Awards in a pink-and-red Badgley Mischka Couture gown, where voluminous satin sleeves and trailing ribbons soften the sleek, body-skimming silhouette with playful, sculptural drama (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)

The actress wore a Badgley Mischka Couture pink-and-red gown with matching pink off-the-shoulder sleeves. She also had on red-satin ankle-strap sandals that were very similar to Mandy’s.

The two co-stars were able to laugh about it, though, and shared pics of their twinning moment on Instagram.

Susan Kelechi Watson in a Badgley Mischka Couture pink-and-red gown at the 2019 Emmy Awards (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Zoe Kazan Finishes the Pink and Red Trend in a Two-Tone Gucci Gown

Last but not least among our pink-and-red fans is actress and screenwriter Zoe Kazan. The Big Sick star wore a Gucci gown with one pink and one red sleeve that met at a ribbon at her waist.

Zoe Kazan brings sculptural drama to the 2019 Emmy Awards in a Gucci gown, where bold pink-and-red ribboned panels and exaggerated bow detailing frame a sleek black silhouette with striking, architectural contrast (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

More Pink-and-Red Red Carpet Shoe Moments to Explore

The 2019 Emmys made it clear that pink and red can feel just as polished as classic black tie when the shoe choice is right. From Mandy Moore’s red satin sandals to Marisa Tomei’s metallic pointed pumps and Taraji P. Henson’s softer neutral heels, each look shows how footwear can either sharpen the contrast or bring balance to this high-impact color pairing. For more celebrity outfits that prove just how versatile pink and red can be on the red carpet, explore these standout shoe and fashion moments below.