In September 2023, the Prudential Center in New Jersey became the epicenter of a defining moment in pop-culture fashion. Taking the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards, Olivia Rodrigo delivered a performance that was as much a theatrical statement as it was a musical one.
While her “staged” equipment malfunction during a mashup of “Vampire” and “Get Him Back!” left the audience—including a visibly stunned Selena Gomez—momentarily confused, it was her transition from punk-rock stage wear to high-fashion glamour that solidified her status as a red-carpet heavyweight.
Performing in a custom Sandy Liang red two-piece set paired with high-top sneakers and white leg warmers, Rodrigo embraced the “Guts” era’s signature grunge-meets-preppy aesthetic. However, it was her arrival in a sculptural, light-catching gown that truly captured the attention of footwear enthusiasts and fashion critics alike, proving that the “Guts” artist knows exactly how to pair world-class couture with the perfect platform.
Shimmering Precision: Olivia Rodrigo’s Ludovic de Saint Sernin Look at the 2023 VMAs
Arriving at the 2023 VMAs as a six-time nominee, the “Drivers License” hitmaker made a shimmering entrance that stood the test of time.
For her walk down the carpet, the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star collaborated with Paris-based designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin and her longtime stylist Danielle Goldberg to create a look that was pure, radiant luxury.
Olivia Rodrigo dazzles in a custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown, hand-embellished with 150,000 Swarovski crystals, at the 2023 Video Music Awards on September 12, 2023 (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
A Crystal Masterpiece: Inside Olivia Rodrigo’s 150,000-Swarovski Gown
The custom gown was perfectly tailored to flatter Rodrigo’s enviable figure, with shoulder straps, a sexy low back, a floor-length skirt with a center rear slit, and a low-cut plunging neckline to show off her perky cleavage.
Made by hand in Paris with 150,000 Swarovski crystals, Ludovic de Saint Sernin called the stunning creation “a dream” and “a fantasy.”
“This is LdSS at its best!” he captioned his Instagram post of Olivia Rodrigo wearing the Swarovski crystal gown.
Olivia Rodrigo pairs her backless, crystal-embellished Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown with metallic silver Roger Vivier platform sandals, adding sculptural height and balance to the shimmering silhouette (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Grounded in Glamour: Roger Vivier Platform Sandals Complete the Look
Goldberg, who also dresses the likes of Kaia Gerber, Lily Aldridge, and Laura Harrier, amplified the Filipino-American singer’s already striking look with metallic silver platform sandals by Roger Vivier.
Her shoes are made of glittered fabric and feature a distinct silhouette with squared platforms and 5.5-inch hourglass-shaped heels.
These dazzling heels also have a flower strass buckle, an adjustable strap with a mini crystal buckle, and a heart-shaped leather insole.
She also accessorized the singer with an $8,475 Large Pear Diamond Orbit Earring by Anita Ko. She adorned her glossy black manicured hands with a selection of silver letter rings that spelled out the word GUTS, first seen on the cover of her latest album.
Olivia Rodrigo styles her look with an Anita Ko diamond earring and silver letter rings, first seen on her GUTS album cover (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Polished to Perfection: Olivia Rodrigo’s Minimal VMAs Glam
As for her glam, Nina Park used NARS makeup to create Olivia’s natural, radiant glow.
She applied the Light Reflecting Foundation in L5 FIJI, Radiant Creamy Concealer in Light 2.3 Madeleine, and the Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder in Creek to her face, then added the Afterglow Liquid Blush in Orgasm, Blush in the same iconic shade, and The Multiple multi-stick makeup in Copacabana to her cheeks.
Her eyes were enhanced with Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Laguna Quad Eyeshadow, Climax Liquid Eyeliner, and Climax Mascara Explicit Black. At the same time, her lips were painted with the Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick in 200 Breathless and the Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil in 180 Walkyrie.
Clayton, meanwhile, rounded out Olivia’s stunning red carpet look by styling her sleek brunette hair straight with a center parting.
Olivia Rodrigo opts for a minimal beauty look, with neutral makeup and straightened brunette tresses (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
From Pop-Punk Platforms to Couture Classics: Olivia Rodrigo’s Footwear Legacy
While the 2023 VMAs showcased Olivia Rodrigo’s ability to command a room in Swarovski crystals and Roger Vivier shoes, her style evolution is defined by a fearless approach to footwear.
Whether she’s reviving ’90s grunge in chunky combat boots or elevating a minimalist silhouette with architectural Gucci heels, Rodrigo has mastered the art of using shoes to anchor her most iconic looks.
Explore the highlights of Olivia’s style journey and her signature shoe favorites below:
👠 Explore Olivia Rodrigo’s Best Shoe Moments:
- 📏 Standing at 5’4″ (162.6 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 7, Olivia matches the U.S. average height but often uses sky-high platforms to command the red carpet.
- ✨ Minimalist Elegance in Silver Gucci: For the Planned Parenthood Gala, Olivia paired a sleek white column dress with Gucci Bamboo sandals, featuring a unique bamboo-shoot heel.
- 🖤 The ’90s “Naked” Dress & Miu Miu: At the 2023 Grammys, she leaned into the sheer trend with a custom Miu Miu slip dress and classic black open-toe heels.
- 🎀 Crystal Socks & Nodaleto Mary Janes: Blending school-girl nostalgia with high fashion, Olivia styled Wolford x Amina Muaddi crystal socks with chunky velvet Nodaleto pumps.
- 👢 Punk-Rock Heights at the Met Gala: For her Met debut, she opted for a Saint Laurent lace jumpsuit paired with 4-inch “Jodie” suede platform sandals.
- 💜 Dazzling in David Koma & Jimmy Choo: Accepting her New Artist of the Year AMA, she shimmered in a sheer purple sequined dress and metallic Jimmy Choo ‘Mori’ sandals.