Alessandra Ambrosio brought a bold, monochromatic aesthetic to the red carpet at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of Les Misérables. She was joined on the red carpet by Elle Fanning and Amber Heard.
Alessandra Ambrosio turned the Cannes red carpet into a sea of scarlet chiffon, pairing her dramatic Julien Macdonald gown with delicate gold Giuseppe Zanotti “Ellie” sandals that elongated her statuesque frame at the screening premiere of Les Misérables on May 15, 2019 (Credit: WENN / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image)
While her scarlet Julien Macdonald gown leaned heavily into the “naked dress” trend of the era, the look was grounded by a pair of metallic heels that prioritized intricate jewelry-like detailing over simple height.
For her Cannes Film Festival appearance, Alessandra Ambrosio chose a pair of gold Giuseppe Zanotti “Ellie” sandals, one of the designer’s clearest expressions of his long-running “footwear as jewelry” philosophy.
The barely-there silhouette relied on slim metallic straps and a sharp stiletto heel to create the elongated effect that has made the “Ellie” a recurring red-carpet favorite, while the crystal-embellished toe strap delivered the kind of light-catching sparkle typically associated with fine jewelry rather than traditional evening shoes.
Hand-set crystals framed in metallic casings mirrored the brilliance of Ambrosio’s Boucheron jewels and ruby-toned teardrop earrings without competing against the drama of her scarlet Julien Macdonald gown.
Alessandra Ambrosio sharpened the monochromatic glamour of her crimson Cannes look with ruby-toned earrings and a tousled updo
Like many of Giuseppe Zanotti’s Italian-made evening sandals, the design balanced visual delicacy with structural precision.
The slender ankle strap, finished with a gold-tone buckle, secured the foot while the carefully pitched stiletto heel helped distribute weight more evenly — a subtle but important detail for long Cannes premieres, photo calls, and after-parties.
Alessandra Ambrosio balanced the fluid movement of her high-slit red gown with minimalist gold stilettos that brought subtle sparkle to her Cannes Film Festival appearance
The “Ellie” also embodies the “second skin” effect that has defined many of Zanotti’s most enduring evening styles.
Because the sandal is so minimal, the crystal straps appear almost suspended against the foot, creating the illusion of floating jewelry rather than a traditional heel.
Alessandra Ambrosio’s gold Giuseppe Zanotti “Ellie” sandals featured slim metallic straps and crystal embellishments that created the designer’s signature “floating jewelry” effect on the foot
While Ambrosio’s 2019 version emphasized gold metallic finishes and crystal detailing, the silhouette has continued to evolve across later Giuseppe Zanotti collections in satin, patent leather, emerald green, nude, and black variations, reinforcing “Ellie” as one of the brand’s evergreen red-carpet staples.
Why Giuseppe Zanotti’s Crystal Sandals Continue to Dominate the Red Carpet
Alessandra Ambrosio’s Cannes appearance also highlighted why Giuseppe Zanotti remains one of the most trusted names in celebrity evening footwear.
From crystal-encrusted stilettos to barely-there metallic sandals, the Italian designer has spent decades refining the idea of heels that function as both structural footwear and statement jewelry.
The “Ellie” sandals worn by Ambrosio fit directly into that legacy, balancing sparkle, minimalism, and red-carpet practicality in a way that continues to resonate across premieres, award shows, and fashion campaigns.
👠 Explore Giuseppe Zanotti’s Crystal & Red-Carpet Shoe Moments:
- 💎 Inside Giuseppe Zanotti’s luxury shoe world, where handmade Italian craftsmanship, crystal embellishment, and sculptural balance define the designer’s “footwear as jewelry” approach.
- ✨ Jennifer Lopez’s Giuseppe Zanotti capsule brought crystal-encrusted sandals, embellished sneakers, and high-glamour silhouettes into one of the designer’s most star-powered collaborations.
- 👠 Demi Lovato’s crystal Giuseppe Zanotti “Venere” sandals showed the label’s more theatrical side, with serpentine lines, suede sparkle, and a towering red-carpet stiletto.
- 🌟 The crystal-embellished Giuseppe Zanotti “Dionne” heels became a celebrity favorite, with Emily Ratajkowski wearing the champagne satin version at Cannes.
- 💛 Diane Kruger’s bold yellow Giuseppe Zanotti sandals paired multicolored crystal embellishments with a sculptural stiletto for one of her most playful red-carpet shoe moments.
- 🔴 Renate Reinsve’s red Giuseppe Zanotti “Intriigo” sandals proved how the brand’s barely-there silhouettes can sharpen a monochrome gown without overwhelming it.