When the 17th Annual CNN Heroes gala convened at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on December 10, 2023, the red carpet served as a masterclass in sophisticated evening wear.
While the event honored global humanitarian efforts, fashion enthusiasts were captivated by a particular shift toward architectural silhouettes and bold footwear.
Anderson Cooper and Laura Coates, the dynamic duo, light up the stage as they host the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at The American Museum of Natural History on December 10, 2023, in New York City (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Leading the arrivals, Amanda Seyfried commanded attention in a meticulously curated ensemble by Taiwanese-Canadian designer Jason Wu.
Amanda Seyfried Elevates Jason Wu Look With Statement Platform Sandals at CNN Heroes
Her look centered on a striking textural contrast, pairing a shimmering olive-green sequined top with a structured black maxi skirt.
Amanda Seyfried brings modern elegance to the red carpet in a two-toned sequined top and sculptural black skirt by Jason Wu, grounded by sleek black platform sandals that add height and contemporary edge (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
The two-toned outfit accentuated her impeccable taste, featuring an olive green sequined top that gracefully embraced an off-the-shoulder silhouette.
Adorned with draped side straps and an alluring open back, Seyfried’s form-fitting mesh top showcased lustrous sequin embroidery, adding a touch of ethereal charm.
Complementing the top, the Mamma Mia! star donned a black maxi skirt with a trumpet silhouette crafted from a crinkled weave.
The skirt, complete with waist-welt pockets that define the look and a front slit that offered a glimpse of her toned legs, perfectly balanced sophistication with a hint of allure.
With a sleek middle part and soft pink makeup, Amanda Seyfried exudes grace and poise at the CNN Heroes gala (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)
Seyfried elevated her petite frame in Stuart Weitzman’s Discoplatform sandals, featuring glossy black patent uppers, a towering heel balanced by a supportive platform, and sleek peep-toe straps for a bold, modern finish.
She has long favored the brand’s minimalist silhouettes, from gold Nudistcurve sandals at the Met Gala to clean white ankle-strap heels at The Art of Racing in the Rain premiere.
Amanda Seyfried grounds her look in Stuart Weitzman Discoplatform sandals, their glossy finish, thick platform sole, and towering heel adding height while stabilizing the flow of her structured skirt (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)
That preference for streamlined, barely-there designs makes her choice of Discoplatform sandals here especially notable. In recent years, the style has emerged as a quiet red carpet staple among celebrities seeking height without sacrificing balance.
At the Oscars, America Ferrera embraced custom Stuart Weitzman Discoplatform sandals to stabilize her sculptural gown, while Selena Gomez opted for a Discoplatform Nudistcurve hybrid at the Vanity Fair party, combining added lift with a lighter, more minimal visual effect.
By contrast, Seyfried’s glossy black version leans fully into the shoe’s architectural potential, using its thicker platform base to ground the movement of her trumpet skirt. The shift signals a broader evolution in her styling—one that moves away from purely elongating silhouettes toward footwear that actively shapes the structure and presence of the entire look.
She chose minimal accessories to accentuate her radiant look, including tiny gold hoop earrings and a delicate diamond pendant necklace.
The Mamma Mia! star, Amanda Seyfried, stuns in an olive green, off-the-shoulder sequined top paired with a sophisticated black trumpet skirt (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)
The Jennifer’s Body actress’s blonde locks were styled with a sleek middle part, and a muted pink lip and matching blush added the finishing touches to Seyfried’s flawless makeup.
In the months leading up to CNN Heroes, Amanda Seyfried continued to evolve her red carpet style, experimenting with bolder silhouettes and sharper, more intentional footwear choices.
Amanda Seyfried Stuns in Barbie Pink Prada Gown and Minimalist Black Sandals at Paris Fashion Week
Notably, she turned heads at the Lancôme x Louvre photocall during Paris Fashion Week on September 26, where she stood alongside fellow Lancôme ambassador Penélope Cruz.
Seyfried, styled by Elizabeth Stewart, embraced a vibrant Barbie pink look in a custom Prada gown featuring a chic square neckline adorned with black sequined embellishments and criss-cross detailing at the neck.
The satin dress boasted a fitted bodice that highlighted her curves, a thigh-high slit revealing her toned legs, and a flowing floor-length skirt.
Amanda Seyfried dazzles in a custom Barbie pink Prada gown at the Lancôme x Louvre photocall during Paris Fashion Week, embodying vibrant, modern elegance with sleek black sandals completing the look on September 26, 2023 (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
She stepped into black Prada leather sandals with an ankle strap and buckle closure to complete the ensemble, featuring triangle hardware accentuating the pointy toe.
Accessorizing with flair, The Crowded Room star adorned herself with a selection of Tabayer jewels, including large Oera hoop earrings and a diamond Oera ring.
Adorned with Tabayer’s Oera hoop earrings and diamond ring, Amanda Seyfried complements her vibrant Prada gown with sophisticated jewelry choices at the Lancome X Louvre photocall as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 26, 2023, in Paris, France (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Her makeup, flawlessly executed, complemented her signature blonde tresses, elegantly parted down the middle and worn straight.
Amanda Seyfried’s Shoe Style Keeps Evolving With Every Red Carpet Appearance
From sleek ankle-strap sandals to dramatic platform heels, Amanda Seyfried consistently uses footwear to sharpen the mood of each look. Explore more of her standout shoe and fashion moments below.
👠 Explore Amanda Seyfried’s Best Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 📏 Standing at 5’2½” (158.8 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 8, Amanda Seyfried often uses heels and platforms to sharpen her petite red carpet proportions and add polish to both classic and fashion-forward looks.
- 🖤 At the BFI London Film Festival, Amanda Seyfried wore a dramatic Richard Quinn gown styled with Aquazzura heels that added a contemporary counterpoint to the look’s 18th-century-inspired volume.
- Her Amanda Seyfried shoe evolution feature rounds up standout fashion moments, from Christian Louboutin sandals to bold red-carpet heels, tracing how footwear shapes her style story.