The 4 Best Shoes at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards: From Olivia Palermo’s Snake Pumps to Christie Brinkley’s Spike-Wrap Louboutins

The Footwear News Achievement Awards provided a chance for celebrities to show off not just their fashion, but also their best shoes. While this year didn’t quite live up to my expectations, a handful of looks still managed to stand out. Most arrivals were a bit underwhelming, but the ones that did catch my eye definitely deserved a closer look.

Olivia Palermo, Nicky Hilton, and Christie Brinkley, with her daughter Sailor Brinkley-Cook, didn’t disappoint, each stepping out and putting their most fashionable foot forward—quite literally!

Olivia Palermo, Nicky Hilton, Christie Brinkley, and Sailor Brinkley-Cook showcase their distinct shoe styles and evening looks at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City on December 3, 2025 (Credit: MediaPunch / Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)

Dubbed the “Shoe Oscars,” this year’s FNAA honored Pharrell Williams with the coveted Shoe of the Year award for the Adidas Virginia Adistar Jellyfish. Past recipients of the same award include Rihanna for the Fenty Puma Creeper and the late Virgil Abloh for the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1.

Tommy Hilfiger received the Lifetime Achievement Award, joining previous winners like Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik. Collaboration of the Year went to New Balance x Miu Miu for their 530 SL styles, while Jordan Brand claimed Brand of the Year, and Nina Christen was named Designer of the Year.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the guests who arrived in the most stylish and striking shoes of the evening.

Olivia Palermo Walks on the Wild Side in Jude Faith Python Pumps & a Sleek Black Dress

Olivia Palermo delivered one of the most striking shoes of the night, wearing Jude, a fitting choice, since she was presenting the Emerging Talent Award to the shoe label’s founders, Jurgita Dileviciute and Denitsa Bumbarova.

The second I saw her footwear, I knew it would become the outfit’s focal point. Olivia stepped into the Jude “Faith” pumps, crafted in Portugal from bold gray python leather. The exotic texture instantly drew my eye, but a closer look made them even more captivating!

The silhouette looked modern and refined thanks to the tapered square toes, while the sculptural curved heels, about four inches high, gave the pumps that instantly recognizable Jude signature finish. What truly elevated the design for me was the delicate gold chain ankle strap. It served as an integrated anklet, adding just the right amount of sparkle to her all-black outfit.

Currently available for around $840 at Farfetch, they’re the kind of statement shoe that could transform even the simplest look!

Olivia Palermo walks on the wild side in the Jude “Faith” pumps in gray-and-black snakeskin with a delicate gold-tone chain anklet (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)

Understated Styling: A Clean Black Silhouette to Highlight the Shoes

Olivia let her footwear take center stage, keeping the rest of her outfit understated. She paired her shoes with a black long-sleeved turtleneck jersey dress that hugged her figure effortlessly. The bodice was sleek and minimal, while the ruched wrap-style draping at the hips added texture before falling into a softly ruffled A-line skirt.

Accessories were pared back, with only her engagement ring on display and glossy black nails adding a hint of drama. Her blonde bob was styled in loose waves, tucked neatly behind her ears to frame her face, while her makeup stayed soft, with subtle smoky eyes, mascara, rosy blush, and a matching lip color.

Olivia Palermo teams her python Jude pumps with a minimalist black turtleneck dress featuring a draped wrap-style waist and a softly ruffled A-line skirt (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)

Nicky Hilton Puts a Playful Spin on Classic Glam in Polka-Dot Mesh Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Pumps

Nicky Hilton embraced her signature polished-but-fun aesthetic in a black-and-white look, exuding classic evening elegance with a playful twist. She slipped into a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s iconic “Hangisi” pumps, but not the typical satin versions everyone knows. Instead, she chose the more whimsical take, handmade in Italy from see-through black mesh with white polka dots.

I honestly loved this choice. The mesh material gave the shoes an airy, modern feel while the dotted print added that touch of retro charm. Of course, they still featured the signature Hangisi detail: the dazzling square crystal buckle perched at the toe. These pumps were finished with black satin at the rear, pointed toes, and slim stiletto heels, striking the perfect balance between timeless and modern. They’re currently marked down to $1,011.50 (from $1,445) at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Nicky Hilton slips into the Manolo Blahnik “Hangisi” pumps in see-through black mesh with white polka dots and a square-shaped crystal buckle (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)

Nicky Balances Timeless Elegance with Whimsical Details in Head-to-Toe Black

Hilton paired the pumps with the Rebecca Vallance “Narcissa” dress, beautifully cut from black watermark taffeta with a subtle sheen that made her stand out. It boasted a boat neckline and a fitted bodice, creating a refined silhouette, while the slight drop waist was accented with side bows, giving the structured black look a soft, feminine touch. I especially loved the low scoop back, which added understated allure. You can get this dress for $815 at Farfetch and Net-a-Porter.

Nicky’s accessories tied everything together flawlessly. She carried a black-and-white polka-dot clutch, also by Manolo Blahnik, that echoed the exact pattern of her shoes. She kept the rest of her jewelry minimal, wearing only a pair of bow earrings from the Theo Grace x Nicky Hilton Take a Bow collection, subtly mirroring the bow accents on her dress.

Nicky stayed true to her signature glam. She wore her blonde hair in soft, bouncy waves cascading over her shoulders, while a pink-toned makeup kept her look fresh and polished. She added a subtle smoky eyeshadow with a touch of glitter, mascara, and a rosy lip to complete her effortlessly chic look.

Nicky Hilton wears her polka-dot pumps with the black watermark taffeta Rebecca Vallance “Narcissa” dress featuring bows at the side waist (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)

Christie Brinkley Shines in Crystal-Studded Christian Louboutin Sandals & a Sculpted Black Dress

Christie Brinkley reminded me why a classic black dress never fails, especially when paired with standout shoes. As soon as she stepped on the red carpet, my eyes immediately went to her Christian Louboutin “Krystal du Desert Spike” Wrap sandals.

They seemed understated at first glance, but the closer you look, the more detail you notice. The wide toe strap was covered in sparkling spiked studs that added shine and a subtle edge, giving the sandals that signature Louboutin mix of glamour and attitude.

The ankle ties, cut from wide, lustrous satin, wrapped into soft bows that brought a feminine, romantic touch to the tougher spiked accents. They were perched atop a 4-inch heel that gave Christie’s already statuesque 5’9” height just the right amount of lift.

Christie Blinkey stands out in her Christian Louboutin “Krystal du Desert Spike” sandals featuring spiked studs at the toes and satin ankle-wrap ties (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Understated Styling to Highlight Her Sparkling Louboutin Sandals

Letting her shoes have their moment, Christie kept the rest of her outfit simple. She opted for a fitted black dress that skimmed her frame, similar to Olivia Palermo’s. It featured a high neckline, long sleeves, and elegant ruching at the hips, creating a flattering, sculpted silhouette.

She went without jewelry—no necklace, no earrings, nothing to distract from her look’s understated luxury. Her glam tied everything together. Her soft, voluminous blonde waves perfectly framed her face, while a touch of rosy blush and a bright red lip gave her ensemble a pop of color.

Christie Blinkey pairs her stunning sandals with a minimalist black long-sleeved dress (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Sailor Brinkley-Cook Doubles Down on Sparkle in Strass Louboutin Slingback Pumps & L’Agence Sequins

Sailor Brinkley-Cook was glowing from every angle. Unlike the more understated outfits some attendees chose, she went full sparkle!

Sailor stepped into a pair of timeless, eye-catching black Christian Louboutin slingback pumps. The classic peep-toe silhouette gave them a vintage elegance, while the slim slingback strap added that signature Louboutin sophistication. What made them special, though, was the strass crystal embellishment that elevated the pumps from simple evening shoes to true statement heels.

Sailor Brinkley-Cook sparkles in her Christian Louboutin strass-embellished slingback pumps with peep toes, showcasing her red pedicure (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)

Sailor’s Sequined L’Agence Dress Perfectly Echoes Her Shimmering Louboutins

Instead of letting the shoes take center stage, she continued with the sparkly theme by pairing them with a dazzling L’Agence sequined dress. It hugged her figure perfectly, featuring a plunging V-neckline and delicate shoulder straps.

The silhouette highlighted her curves in a flattering, effortless way. And if you look closely at the sequins, you’ll see a hint of a leopard pattern subtly woven into the shine, making the dress even more intriguing.

For accessories, she kept things polished with a Cartier bangle and a ring, adding just enough metallic shine. Her long blonde hair fell in loose, glamorous waves, and her makeup stayed soft and glowy, letting the sequins and crystals do the talking.

Sailor Brinkley-Cook continues the sparkly theme of her look by pairing her crystal pumps with a sequin-embellished L’Agence dress (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)

A Look Back at FNAA’s Most Iconic Shoe Moments

Before wrapping up, it’s worth remembering that the Footwear News Achievement Awards have a long history of spotlighting the industry’s most influential shoes and designers—and the past winners are just as captivating as this year’s red-carpet looks.