Oscars 2024: How Stuart Weitzman’s Architectural Heels Dominated the Red Carpet

The red carpet at the Academy Awards often serves as a definitive gallery for evening wear, where the choice of footwear is as much about architecture as it is about aesthetics.

On March 10, 2024, at the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, the trend toward structural platforms and refined stilettos remained a central theme for the season’s most anticipated arrivals.

Stuart Weitzman has long been a fixture in these settings, favored for silhouettes that balance height with the technical requirements of a long ceremony. At the 2024 event, the brand’s presence was visible through a range of custom dyes and classic leather finishes, supporting everything from avant-garde sculptural gowns to traditional power tailoring.

Below is a look at how specific Stuart Weitzman designs were integrated into the ensembles of the night’s nominees and guests, from the main stage at the Dolby Theatre to the subsequent celebrations.

1. Barbiecore Elevation: America Ferrera in Custom Pink Discoplatform Sandals & Versace Chainmail

The Oscar Best Supporting Actress nominee boosted her petite height by several inches with the Stuart Weitzman Discoplatform sandals, characterized by the staggering 5.1-inch slim block heels and 1.4-inch platforms.

Sleek and modern, these sandals feature the same construction as the brand’s popular Nudistcurve sandals.

America Ferrera wears a pink chainmail dress by Versace with custom pink Stuart Weitzman Discoplatform sandals at the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)

America Ferrera’s Discoplatform sandals were custom-dyed in pink satin to match her Barbie pink chainmail dress, which reportedly took the Versace team 400 hours to create. I love how the dress softly drapes her contours, hugging every inch of her hourglass figure before culminating in a sweeping train.

Adding extra sparkle to the look, Ferrera accessorized with a set of jewelry from Pomellato’s High Jewelry Ode to Milan collection, selected by her stylist, Karla Welch.

These include the “Castello” necklace, encrusted with 28-carat 1,274 hand-set princess-, baguette-, and brilliant-cut diamonds and five reverse-set rubellites. She also wore the matching “Castello” ring with rhodolite garnet and diamonds.

2. Crystal Power Dressing: Gabrielle Union in Nudist Hollywood Platforms & Carolina Herrera Sparkle

Gabrielle Union stood beside her tall husband, Dwayne Wade, in a pair of Nudist Hollywood Platform sandals, considered by Stuart Weitzman as the “boldest” version of their iconic Nudist sandals.

These minimalist shoes feature slim front straps, open toes, and slim buckled ankle straps perched atop a 5.7-inch heel with a leg-lengthening 1.6-inch platform.

Union’s Nudist Hollywood sandals are made of black satin, which went perfectly with her crystal-embellished look, created by Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection.

Gabrielle Union sparkles in a crystal-embellished Carolina Herrera look with black Stuart Weitzman Nudist Hollywood platform sandals as she poses with her husband, Dwayne Wade, at the 2024 Oscars on March 10, 2024 (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

I’m not a fan of her Vanity Fair Oscar Party outfit, as it’s too flashy for my taste, but I think it’s intriguing that she’s actually wearing two separate outfits. The strapless top with a structured peplum is a mini dress, while the bottom part is a column maxi skirt. Considering the all-over crystal embellishments, I’m curious to find out the weight of the outfit.

Apparently, Union’s ensemble isn’t dazzling enough, at least for her stylist Thomas Christos Kikis, who added more glitz to the look with a Tiffany & Co. choker necklace, a few rings, and diamond stud earrings.

3. Barely There Drama: Emily Ratajkowski in White Nudist Hollywood Heels & Sculptural Jacquemus

The New York Times Bestselling Author wore the white version of Union’s Nudist Hollywood heels, enhancing her surprisingly short height and the sensuality of her Vanity Fair Oscar Party ensemble.

Emily Ratajkowski opted for a daring monochromatic white look for the Vanity Fair Party, matching her towering white Nudist Hollywood sandals with a sculpted white gown from Jacquemus’ Spring 2024 collection.

Emily Ratajkowski bares side boobs in a white Jacquemus sculptural gown with white Stuart Weitzman Nudist Hollywood heels at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Perhaps the most daring look of the night, Emily was braless underneath the risque gown with a tilted, asymmetric bodice and an open back. She kept the styling simple, accessorizing with just a pair of Messika Voltage Earrings in her failed attempt to keep an elegant look.

Not a fan of this, but I must admit, Emily looks gorgeous in white.

4. ’90s Revival Glam: Demi Moore in Bronze Nudist Sandals & Cutout Versace Satin

Looking fabulous at 61, Demi Moore put on a busty display as she teetered on a pair of the all-time celebrity-favorite Nudist sandals.

Since its 2013 debut, the Nudist has established itself as a mainstay on the red carpet, adding effortless style and sophistication to any ensemble.

Demi Moore wore the bronze leather Nudist ($475) with her alluring chocolate brown satin gown, which Versace created for the actress. The exquisite ‘90s-style dress featured a strapless bodice with front cutouts held together by bejeweled gold hardware.

Demi Moore stuns in a bespoke ’90s-style chocolate brown satin Versace gown with front cutouts at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

To keep the look cohesive, Demi accessorized with chunky bronze moon-shaped Chopard earrings, a bracelet, and a few rings. She then carried her red carpet necessities in a $2,125 Jeffrey Levinson clutch.

I appreciate the styling, but I’m not exactly enamored with the entire look. Regardless, Demi Moore still looks absolutely gorgeous, as she always has.

Demi Moore teams her brown Versace gown with matching Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandals (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

5. Timeless Precision: Jessica Lange in Stuart 75 Block Pumps & Crystal Dolce & Gabbana Elegance

The 1995 Oscar Best Actress winner looked classy in black as she made a rare red carpet appearance at the 2024 Oscars, where she co-presented the Best Actress trophy to Emma Stone.

Jessica Lange, 74, wore a bespoke Dolce & Gabbana gown adorned with clear and black crystals meticulously placed to resemble fireworks. I like the silhouette—a fitted bodice with long sleeves, a V-neckline, and an A-line skirt with a short train; I think it looks appropriate for the actress and the glamorous event.

Jessica Lange looks classy in her black crystal-embellished Dolce & Gabbana gown, and Stuart Weitzman Stuart block pumps at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Though her heels were not visible, Lange wore the $475 Stuart 75 Block Pumps in black Spazzolato leather. The sharply pointed toes and about 2.9-inch low block heels—comfortable enough for Lange to walk in—gave the classic pump silhouette a modern twist.

Her sparkling Martin Katz sapphire-and-diamond ring and moon-shaped earrings completed her ensemble.

6. Modern Regal Shine: Jodie Foster in Ryder 95 Platforms & Crystal-Embellished Loewe

Jodie Foster, Oscar Best Supporting Actress nominee, gave her 5’3” height a boost with the $495 Ryder 95 sandals. These are designed to provide “high-impact style” and “low-effort comfort” with their 5-inch block heels and 1.4-inch platforms.

Jodie Foster is the epitome of elegance in a navy-blue Loewe crystal-embellished gown at the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

Foster chose the metallic silver version, which I think paired well with her navy Loewe gown. The sleeveless number had a mock neck, a scarf for a regal touch, and a floor-length skirt covered in glittering crystals, resembling light shimmering over water.

I love how classy Foster looks in the bespoke dress, styled with custom Kwiat diamond-and-sapphire earrings that mimic water droplets.

Jodie Foster teams her navy-blue gown with metallic silver Ryder 95 platform sandals (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

7. Power Suit Energy: Kate McKinnon in Patent Stuart 100 Pumps & Tailored Black Suiting

Former SNL cast member Kate McKinnon opted to power-dress at the Oscars, wearing a double-breasted black suit with Stuart 100 pumps in black patent leather.

These classic-contemporary polished pumps have razor-sharp pointed toes and sleek 3.9-inch stiletto heels.

Kate McKinnon opts to power dress at the 2024 Oscars in a black double-breasted suit on March 10, 2024 (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

McKinnon, who plays Weird Barbie in the 2023 Barbie movie, gave her monochrome black ensemble a dash of glitter with dangling silver earrings, a chain necklace, and a ring.

The actress took to the stage with America Ferrera to present the Oscars for Best Documentary Short Film and Best Documentary Feature Film to The Last Repair Shop and 20 Days in Mariupol, respectively.

Kate McKinnon completes girl-boss vibe with black patent Stuart Weitzman Stuart 100 pumps (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

Why Stuart Weitzman Remains a Red Carpet Power Player

From sky-high Discoplatform sandals to the barely-there precision of the Nudist, Stuart Weitzman continues to define how celebrities approach height, balance, and elegance on the red carpet.

The brand’s ability to merge architectural design with wearability keeps it in constant rotation—from Oscars arrivals to after-party appearances and beyond.

If you want to explore how these iconic silhouettes translate across different celebrities, eras, and styling approaches, the curated features below offer a deeper look into Stuart Weitzman’s lasting influence.