The 7 Best Shoes at the 2026 Time100 Gala: Zoe Saldaña’s Feather Givenchys, Dakota Johnson’s Snake Mules, and More!

A-list stars brought major glamour to Jazz at Lincoln Center for the 2026 Time100 Gala, where this year’s most influential names were celebrated in style.

Zoe Saldaña, Kate Hudson, Hilary Duff, Dakota Johnson, and Anok Yai were among the celebrities honored at the event, serving standout fashion moments from head to toe. Of course, their shoes were just as eye-catching, from sleek heels to statement platforms, completing their looks.

Zoe Saldaña, Kate Hudson, Hilary Duff, Dakota Johnson, and Anok Yai put their best fashion foot forward in elegant dresses and striking heels at the 2026 Time 100 Gala, celebrating the list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, held at Frederick P.Rose Hall at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2026 (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Let’s take a closer look at the standout celebrity outfits and heels from the 2026 Time100 Gala.

Zoe Saldaña Brings Velvet Drama in Givenchy and Feather-Trimmed T-Strap Heels

Zoe Saldaña looked polished at the 2026 Time100 Gala, stepping out in a striking Givenchy Fall 2026 look that balanced drama and elegance.

She stepped out in sleek black patent leather heels, featuring a slim T-strap that added a vintage touch while elongating her legs. The thin vertical strap ran up the center of her foot and connected to an ankle strap with a buckle, adding a secure, polished finish.

They also featured open square toes that made the shoes look more modern, but the standout detail was the feather trim at the back of the heel. It added texture, softness, and a chic twist to the otherwise minimal sandals. Finished with thin stiletto heels, the pair gave her look extra height!

Zoe Saldaña wears a pair of Givenchy T-strap sandals in shiny black patent leather with open square toes and feather detail at the heel (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Saldaña styled the heels with a one-shoulder black velvet gown, also from Sarah Burton’s Fall 2026 Givenchy collection. The dress featured an asymmetrical one-shoulder bodice, giving the look a sculptural, red-carpet-ready silhouette.

Its fluid draping added softness and movement, while the crystal-embellished ribbon embroidery brought texture and sparkle throughout the black velvet design. A high center slit finished the gown with a bold touch, showing off her legs and putting her sleek heels on full display.

Styled by Petra Flannery, Zoe finished the look with earrings, a bracelet, and a neat bun that kept the focus on her outfit.

Zoe Saldaña pairs her open-toe T-strap heels with a black one-shoulder dress by Givenchy featuring crystal-encrusted ribbon embroideries (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Kate Hudson Channels Retro Power in Christian Louboutin Pumps and Sculptural Khaite

I loved how Kate Hudson went for a commanding all-black look at the 2026 Time100 Gala, wearing a sculptural Khaite ensemble styled with classic Christian Louboutin pumps.

Her shoes were the iconic Christian Louboutin “So Kate” pumps in black suede, featuring sharp pointed toes and slim stiletto heels. The low-cut vamp helped elongate her legs, while the curved topline gave the pair a sleek, sultry finish.

You can get these Louboutins for $795 at Mytheresa.

Kate Hudson keeps it simple in timeless black suede Christian Louboutin “So Kate” pumps with pointy toes and stiletto heels (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Kate paired the elegant heels with a Khaite dress from the Fall 2026 collection, giving the look a chic retro vibe. The voluminous sculpted sleeves brought in that dramatic ’80s-inspired shape, while the rest of the dress stayed sleek and polished. I liked how the plunging neckline balanced out the bold shoulders, and the below-the-knee pencil skirt kept everything classic and refined.

Sheer black tights made the outfit look even sleeker, while the croc-embossed black leather gloves added drama and a fashion-forward finish.

Kate also brought in a hint of shine with Khaite’s $680 Empire earrings, crafted in Italy from 18-karat gold-plated brass and finished with a discreet laser-engraved logo. She completed the look with a Monkey bracelet and a matching brooch, adding just enough sparkle to the bold black ensemble.

Kate Hudson teams her classic heels with a retro-style Khaite dress featuring voluminous, sculptural sleeves, a plunging neckline with a gold-tone brooch, and a pencil skirt (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Hilary Duff Softens the Red Carpet in Clear Gianvito Rossi Heels and Butter-Yellow Anna October

I loved Hilary Duff’s soft, regal look at the 2026 Time100 Gala. She wore a butter-yellow Anna October dress with clear Gianvito Rossi heels, creating a dreamy red-carpet moment!

Her shoes were mostly hidden under the gown’s long hem, but as she walked, you could see a glimpse of the clear PVC strap across her toes. The barely-there sandals appeared to feature open, rounded toes and a minimal design, which worked beautifully with the softness of her dress.

Hilary Duff opts for barely there heels by Gianvito Rossi featuring clear PVC straps and open toes (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Hilary’s Anna October “Hina” dress, priced at $879, skimmed her body perfectly. Made from semi-sheer pale daffodil silk, the column silhouette featured delicate spaghetti straps and hand-embroidered moonlight bead motifs scattered throughout, adding a soft shimmer to the romantic design. The ruffled floor-sweeping hem added a romantic finish and gave the gown a graceful movement.

Duff layered the dress with the $692 Anna October “Marigold” cape in matching semi-sheer buttermilk silk. It wrapped around her body like a soft cloud, with a floor-grazing length and subtle ruching at the clavicle. My only concern was the restrictive sleeve design, which limited her arm movement but visually enhanced the elegant, ethereal effect.

For sparkle, Hilary finished the look with long earrings and a few rings, including one from Kinn Studio.

Hilary Duff teams her barely there sandals with a semi-sheer pale daffodil silk column dress with moonlight bead motifs and a matching sheer cape by Anna October (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Dakota Johnson Gives Valentino Romance a Dark Twist With Crystal Snake Mules

The American actress took an ethereal, regal gown and gave it a bold, unexpected edge. She wore a dreamy Valentino look from the Fall 2026 collection, designed by Alessandro Michele, and paired it with striking black heels that instantly changed the vibe.

Instead of going for soft, delicate sandals, Dakota chose the “Cœur Vipère” mules in black leather, and I honestly didn’t expect it to work this well. They added a bit of weight to the airy gown, but the details made them stand out.

The heart-shaped peep toe added a subtle, feminine touch, while the crystal-embellished snake appliqué across the vamp added a dramatic, edgy feel. It literally looked like the serpent was slithering its way up Dakota’s foot, making the shoes a statement piece on their own.

The mules had around 4-inch heels, giving her extra height. You can actually shop for them at Mytheresa for $1,250.

Dakota Johnson adds edge to her ethereal look with Valentino “Cœur Vipère” mules featuring heart-shaped peep toes and a crystal-encrusted serpent at the vamp (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Dakota Johnson’s Valentino gown kept things soft and flowing, with a gathered bodice and a draped panel down the center, adding movement. The spaghetti straps kept it secure, while the cape, with slightly padded shoulders and an embellished neckline, added regal drama, flowing into a beautiful train behind her.

She completed the look with Roberto Coin jewelry, including the Dolcetto 18K white gold and diamond drop earrings, a Haute Couture diamond bracelet, and stacked rings such as the Love in Verona white gold ring, Obelisco mixed-cut pavé diamond ring, Siena diamond ring, and Love in Verona small ring, adding the perfect amount of sparkle.

Dakota Johnson pairs her edgy black mules with an airy draped dress by Valentino featuring a cape with padded shoulders and an embellished neckline (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Anok Yai Commands the Carpet in Green Croc-Embossed Pumps and Ashi Studio Couture

At 5’10” (1.78 m) with a US shoe size 10, Anok Yai has the kind of runway-length proportions that make a bold look feel effortless—and she used them to full effect.

The American fashion model stepped out in a striking green croc-embossed ensemble that commanded attention from across the room, with perfectly matched pumps extending the look into a seamless, high-impact statement.

She wore green croc-embossed leather pumps that were already eye-catching, but the elongated pointed toes gave them a sharp, dramatic finish.

The slim stiletto heels added height and kept everything sleek, making her legs look even longer. Her shoes matched the dress perfectly, creating a bold head-to-toe statement.

Anok Yai embraces the wild side with her green croc-embossed pumps with elongated pointed toes and stiletto heels (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Anok paired the heels with an Ashi Studio Spring 2026 Couture gown in the same croc-embossed finish. The dress was structured and architectural. It featured a sculpted, convex strapless neckline and a sharply contoured bodice that hugged her frame.

The cinched waist and accentuated hips created a bold, fluid hourglass shape, while the skirt flared slightly from the hips and tapered back toward the knees at the front, creating a dramatic yet balanced silhouette.

The glossy, liquid-like finish of the material made the entire look even more captivating. She completed the outfit with Marli jewelry, adding just the right amount of shine.

Anok Yai keeps her look coordinated, pairing her croc pumps with a glossy croc-embossed, structured dress by Ashi Studio (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

From Runway Signals to Real-World Style: The Shoe Trends Defining 2026

As this season makes clear, 2026 isn’t about louder shoes—it’s about sharper ones. Silhouettes are becoming more intentional, finishes more refined, and even statement pairs feel grounded in wearability. From sneakerina hybrids to sculptural pumps and glossy patent heels, the direction is clear: modern footwear is evolving toward precision, versatility, and quiet impact.