Phoebe Gates Proves Nude PVC Heels Are the Ultimate Leg-Lengthening Secret in Fendace

Phoebe Adele Gates has quickly emerged as a fashion force to watch, moving beyond her title as the youngest child of tech icons Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.

While her older siblings, Jennifer Catherine and Rory John, have largely stayed out of the sartorial spotlight, Phoebe’s public appearances often double as masterclasses in high-end Gen Z styling.

A definitive moment in her style evolution occurred in June 2022 at the TIME 100 Gala in New York City. Attending alongside her father, the then-Stanford student (who graduated in 2024) and trained ballerina proved her fashion mettle by opting for a piece from one of the decade’s most talked-about collaborations.

Bill Gates attends the 2022 TIME 100 Gala alongside his daughter Phoebe, who grounds her shimmering Fendace metal-mesh gown with minimalist high-heel sandals, letting the sleek footwear quietly complement the statement dress at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City on June 8, 2022, in New York City (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / Instarimages)

Phoebe’s choice for the evening was a shimmering metal-mesh slip dress from the Fendace collection—a rare creative swap between powerhouse labels Fendi and Versace.

The garment featured a delicate interplay of the “FF” monogram and the Versace Greek key, appearing in a liquid-silver finish that picked up pink hues from the surrounding carpet.

The Fendace metal-mesh gown showcases a subtle blend of Fendi’s “FF” monogram and Versace’s Greek key motif, rendered in a shimmering pink-silver finish (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / Instarimages)

She grounded the look with barely-there nude heels finished with clear PVC straps—a leg-lengthening choice that reflects her fashion education and evolving philosophy around style, favoring timeless silhouettes that hold their value and transition easily into a more circular, secondhand-friendly wardrobe.

Love Phoebe Gates’ leg-lengthening nude heels with clear PVC straps? She’s in stylish company—Your Next Shoes has spotted the same barely-there, “invisible” footwear trend on plenty of red carpets, from Katy Perry’s Aquazzura So Nude PVC-and-leather sandals to Kim and Kourtney Kardashian’s clear/PVC heel moment at the 2019 amfAR Gala.

For a designer deep dive into transparent detailing, see celebrities wearing Christian Louboutin “Nosy” PVC pumps, or explore how the look evolves with statement sparkle in Sophia Webster’s crystal-embellished sandals with clear PVC straps.

And if you want a fresh, current example of the same elongating effect, our roundup of the best shoes at the 2025 amfAR Las Vegas Gala highlights nude heels with transparent vamp straps that deliver that sleek, barely-there finish.

Her polished beauty look—sleek center-parted hair, winged eyeliner, and diamond-accented jewelry—complements the sculptural lines of the Fendace design (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / Instarimages)

How Fendace Redefined Modern Shoe & Fashion Collaborations

From red-carpet heels to statement accessories, the Fendace collaboration marked a rare moment when two powerhouse fashion houses merged their distinct identities into a single, instantly recognizable aesthetic.

On Your Next Shoes, we’ve tracked how celebrities have embraced this hybrid of Fendi craftsmanship and Versace boldness—often anchoring the look with standout footwear that elevates the entire ensemble.

Seen beyond the red carpet, the Stanford student’s poised presence reflects a new generation of understated luxury, where craftsmanship and restraint take precedence over excess