On April 17, 2013, New York City’s State Supreme Courthouse took on an unexpected second role, transforming into the striking venue for Vanity Fair’s Tribeca Film Festival kick-off party.
On this evening, cinema, style, and statement footwear converged under dramatic lighting.
💫 Jump to a Look:
Rather than courtroom formality, the night delivered a wide range of shoe moments, from polished classics to bold, fashion-forward silhouettes.
As with many Tribeca gatherings, the footwear told its own story—revealing how personal style can shine even in the most unconventional settings. Below, we revisit the standout shoe choices from the event, each reflecting a different approach to timeless evening dressing.
Polished Classic: Christine Baranski’s Manolo Blahnik “BB” Pumps
Standing 5ft 8½in (174 cm) and typically wearing a US shoe size 9, Christine Baranski understands the power of proportion—and her choice of Manolo Blahnik’s iconic BB pumps reflected that precision.
Styled with a knee-length orange dress, the black patent heels appeared almost metallic under the lights, subtly elongating her already statuesque frame while keeping the look polished rather than overpowering.
Christine Baranski attends Vanity Fair’s Tribeca Film Festival kick-off party in New York City on April 17, 2013, wearing a sleeveless orange sheath dress styled with metallic black patent Manolo Blahnik ‘BB’ pumps, a sculptural chain necklace, and a structured top-handle handbag (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / Pop / WENN)
Often described as the holy grail of classic pumps, the BB’s sharply pointed toe, low vamp, and perfectly balanced stiletto are designed to lengthen the leg without relying on logos or embellishment.
A closer look at Manolo Blahnik’s iconic ‘BB’ pumps in metallic black patent leather—an enduring pointed-toe silhouette known for its sharply contoured vamp and slender stiletto heel
On Baranski, the effect was effortless authority: timeless, quietly luxurious, and impeccably scaled to her height.
Manolo Blahnik Black Patent Leather Metallic ‘BB’ Pumps, $630
Timeless Contrast: Gretchen Mol’s Red Patent Pumps with a Little Black Dress
Standing 5ft 6in (167.6 cm) and wearing a US size 9, Gretchen Mol leaned into classic red-carpet restraint with a sharply tailored little black dress paired with glossy red patent-leather pumps.
The saturated heel color delivered instant contrast and leg-lengthening impact, balancing her proportions without overpowering the look.
Gretchen Mol attends Vanity Fair’s Tribeca Film Festival kick-off party in New York City on April 17, 2013, wearing a sleeveless black cocktail dress accented with subtle embellishments and styled with red pointed-toe stiletto pumps
Best known for her work on Boardwalk Empire and in films including Rounders, Donnie Brasco, and Manchester by the Sea, Mol’s styling choice reflected a timeless approach—proof that a well-cut LBD and a confident pump remain one of eveningwear’s most reliable formulas.
A closer look at Gretchen Mol’s red pointed-toe pumps, a classic high-heel silhouette that adds a bold color contrast to her minimalist black dress
Graphic Modernity: Wendi Deng Murdoch’s Nicholas Kirkwood x Prabal Gurung Sandal Booties
Standing around 5ft 10in (178 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 8½, Wendi Deng brought a commanding presence to the event in striking black-and-white sandal booties from the Nicholas Kirkwood × Prabal Gurung collaboration.
Wendi Deng Murdoch attends Vanity Fair’s Tribeca Film Festival kick-off party in New York City on April 17, 2013, wearing a navy blazer layered over a bright pink top and an asymmetric white skirt, finished with black-and-white cutout sandal booties and a structured clutch
The sharply graphic heels complemented her height and confident posture, turning the shoes into the focal point of an otherwise streamlined look.
A closer look at Wendi Deng Murdoch’s black-and-white cutout sandal booties, featuring graphic contrast detailing and a sculptural high heel that adds a modern edge to her streamlined ensemble
Released during the designers’ influential early-2010s partnership—most notably their Spring/Summer 2011 season—the sculptural silhouettes blended Kirkwood’s architectural precision with Gurung’s bold, graphic sensibility.
On Deng, the effect felt deliberate and modern: runway-driven footwear scaled perfectly to a statuesque frame.
Nicholas Kirkwood for Prabal Gurung Black and White Booties, $995
Fashion Authority: Vera Wang’s Walter Steiger Platform Booties
Standing 5ft 3in (160 cm) and typically wearing a US shoe size 7, Vera Wang leaned into her signature brand of understated edge with black trousers, a brimmed hat, and sculptural Walter Steiger open-back booties.
Vera Wang attends Vanity Fair’s Tribeca Film Festival kick-off party in New York City on April 17, 2013, wearing a sleeveless taupe top styled with textured black trousers, a black brimmed hat, and black platform ankle booties, finished with a chain-strap clutch
The curved “claw” heels—one of Steiger’s most enduring innovations—added height and architectural drama while maintaining balance and wearability, a detail that has long made the brand a favorite among designers rather than logo-driven trend followers.
A closer look at Vera Wang’s black platform ankle booties, featuring a rounded toe, elevated platform, and slender stiletto heel that underscore the look’s sharp, fashion-forward edge
On Wang, the effect was precise and intentional: minimalist styling elevated by footwear that prioritizes form, proportion, and quiet avant-garde craftsmanship.
Walter Steiger open-back platform booties featuring the brand’s signature curved “claw” heel, a sculptural silhouette that blends architectural drama with precise balance and minimalist luxury
Tribeca Film Festival Shoe Moments Worth Revisiting
From red-carpet premieres to intimate industry gatherings, the Tribeca Film Festival has long provided a stage for footwear that balances polish, personality, and experimentation.
While trends evolve year to year, certain shoe moments endure—standing out not because they chased fashion headlines, but because they captured a specific moment in time. For readers looking to explore more standout Tribeca looks, the curated features below revisit some of the festival’s most memorable shoe and style moments across eras.
👠 Tribeca Film Festival Shoe & Fashion Highlights:
- 🎬 Tribeca Film Festival’s 9 Best Celebrity Shoes & Dresses — A classic roundup of standout red-carpet moments from the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, spotlighting colorful pumps, classic slingbacks, sandals, and more.
- 💎 The Hottest Shoes at Vanity Fair’s 2013 Tribeca Film Festival Party — Our original pick of memorable footwear from Vanity Fair’s Tribeca kick-off party, including sculptural pumps and edgy boots.
- ✨ Jessica Chastain’s Tribeca Fashion & Gucci Slingback Pumps — A 2024 red-carpet style feature focusing on sophisticated Gucci slingback pumps at the premiere of The Knife.
- 📸 Emma Watson’s Tribeca Style Triumph — A standout look from the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival featuring Manolo Blahnik “Chaos” heels paired with minimalist fashion.
- 👡 Leighton Meester’s Nude Sandals at Tribeca — Coverage of understated nude ankle-strap sandals that complete a polished red-carpet look from the 2014 festival.
- 🖤 Olivia Wilde’s Chill Red Carpet Boots at Tribeca — A memorable Tribeca street-style moment focusing on Acne Studios boots that gave off-duty cool a red-carpet edge.
- 👢 AnnaSophia Robb’s Socks-with-Heels Statement — A fun 2024 fashion moment from the Chanel × Tribeca Women’s luncheon illustrating socks with heels worn as a bold style statement.