Olivia Wilde Pairs “Sideless” Galvan Dress With Towering Aquazzura Sandals at Breakthrough Prize Ceremony

While Olivia Wilde is frequently spotted in elevated athleisure and off-duty denim, her red-carpet evolution highlights a mastery of high-fashion architecture. From avant-garde cutouts to sculptural footwear, the director and actress uses formal appearances to experiment with silhouette and stature.

A prime example of this stylistic range occurred on April 13, 2024, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

Attending the 10th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony—an event honoring global achievements in science and mathematics—Wilde leaned into a daring, “sideless” aesthetic that redefined the classic black gown.

Olivia Wilde stuns at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in a daring, sideless black Galvan Twist Cindy dress at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 13, 2024, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Each Breakthrough Prize awards $3 million to individuals in Life Sciences, Physics, and Mathematics, making it one of the most significant nights in the global scientific community.

Daring in Black Galvan Twist Cindy Dress

For the evening, Wilde chose a look that explored the “sideless” trend, selecting a garment that balanced heavy knit texture with expansive negative space.

On the red carpet, the Tron: Legacy star wore the Galvan “Twist Cindy” dress. The gown featured a turtleneck and long sleeves, juxtaposed against a massive waist cutout that exposed her midriff and back.

With a touch of elegance and minimalistic chic, Olivia Wilde shines in towering Aquazzura strappy sandals and sparkles with Nikos Koulis diamond earrings (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

A thigh-high slit added movement and visual contrast, while a long white bow loosely tied at the hips served as the gown’s defining focal point, anchoring the look with an unexpected structural detail.

The standout feature of Olivia Wilde’s ensemble: a striking long white bow, loosely tied at the hips, adding a unique flair to her peekaboo black gown at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Monochrome Chic and Elegant Accents

Collaborating with her longtime stylist, Karla Welch, whose clientele includes Tracee Ellis Ross, Hailey Bieber, and Sarah Paulson, Olivia Wilde allowed her ensemble to shine, opting for minimal accessories.

She effortlessly elevated her attire with towering black Aquazzura strappy sandals. These sandals featured open toes, ankle straps, and stiletto heels, accentuating her stunning stature.

Olivia Wilde, standing at 5ft 7in (170.2 cm), elevates her stature with high-heeled Aquazzura sandals, adding an extra touch of elegance to her sleek black attire at the star-studded event (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

The American actress wore long diamond drop earrings from Nikos Koulis Jewelry, adding sparkle. She painted her nails with cherry-red polish to contrast her monochrome look, adding a vibrant pop of color.

Completing her glamorous appearance, makeup artist Tracey Levy applied glossy pink lips and winged eyeliner. At the same time, hairstylist Mark Townsend fashioned her caramel hair into a voluminous blowout, cascading in silky waves.

Stuns in Black Carolina Herrera Strapless Dress at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Olivia Wilde is no stranger to rocking the Little Black Dress (LBD) trend, and she showcased her sultry take on it at the star-studded 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles.

For a post-ceremony moment, she exuded classic cool-girl style in a simple black velvet Carolina Herrera maxi dress from the Venezuelan fashion designer’s Fall 2024 collection.

Celebrating her birthday in style, Olivia Wilde captivates in a strapless velvet Carolina Herrera gown at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, paired with dramatic Boucheron accessories at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Marking her birthday at the event, Olivia proved that her beauty grows with age, turning heads in a figure-hugging gown that accentuated her curves. The gown featured a strapless design and a daringly plunging neckline for added allure.

The gown cascaded elegantly to the floor, boasting a subtle mermaid train that concealed her choice of footwear – a pair of Jimmy Choo Gaia platform sandals in black patent leather, which we have previously seen worn by Jessica Alba, Greta Gerwig, and Taylor Swift.

Olivia Wilde exudes timeless glamour in a Carolina Herrera strapless stretch-velvet maxi dress, complemented by dazzling Boucheron Vendome earrings, at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Adding extra glamour, the Don’t Worry Darling actress adorned herself with dangly diamond Boucheron Vendome earrings and a matching Boucheron the Panda ring.

Olivia completed her look with dramatic winged black eyeliner and effortlessly undone hair, epitomizing effortless chic at the prestigious event.

Why Olivia Wilde’s Footwear Choices Continue to Define Her Red-Carpet Style

From sculptural Aquazzura stilettos to platform sandals and unexpected boot moments, Olivia Wilde consistently uses footwear to shape silhouette, height, and attitude on the red carpet.

Whether she’s leaning into architectural gowns or pared-back minimalism, her shoe choices remain a key styling tool—one that balances fashion risk with polish.

For readers looking to explore how heels, platforms, and statement shoes have anchored Wilde’s most memorable fashion moments over the years, these curated features offer a deeper dive.