Why Billy Porter’s 2020 Oscars Look Was a Masterclass in Footwear Engineering

Billy Porter’s appearance at the 92nd Academy Awards, held on February 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, remains a masterclass in architectural red-carpet styling.

Collaborative efforts by stylist Sam Ratelle and groomer Anna Bernabe helped the Pose star cement his status as a footwear icon, blending high-fashion couture with daring, structural heels.

Billy Porter commanded the 2020 Academy Awards red carpet at the Dolby Theatre by grounding his dramatic Giles Deacon couture look with towering gold platform heels that added height, balance, and unmistakable footwear drama on February 9, 2020 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN / Instar)

The ensemble featured a custom Giles Deacon Couture creation that positioned Billy Porter as fashion royalty with a distinctly British twist: a metallic gold feathered bodice paired with a dramatic, floor-length skirt printed with blown-up images of Kensington Palace’s Cupola Room, a detail inspired by stylist Sam Ratelle’s private tour of the historic space and designed to echo its gilded statues, marble surfaces, and regal architectural motifs.

However, the true focal point for shoe enthusiasts was the deliberate choice of height and texture used to balance the heavy metallic top.

Billy Porter accessorized his gilded Oscars look with a crystal-encrusted wing clutch by Judith Leiber, echoing the celestial theme and metallic drama of his couture ensemble

Porter elevated the look with gold crystal-embellished Jimmy Choo platform pumps.

Paired with beige fishnets, the platforms provided the necessary elevation to carry the weight of the silk-ballroom skirt. He accessorized with a custom Judith Leiber Couture “wing” clutch and Atelier Swarovski jewelry.

Billy Porter finished his Oscars ensemble with beige fishnet tights and towering gold, crystal-embellished Jimmy Choo platform heels, using height and sparkle to balance the drama of his voluminous couture skirt

Billy Porter’s Architectural Daywear: United Nude Boots at the Essence Luncheon

Demonstrating his range earlier that week, Porter also attended the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon on February 6, 2020, at the Beverly Wilshire.

For this event, he opted for an Official Rebrand aesthetic, complemented by stark white boots from the footwear brand United Nude, known for its avant-garde, architectural silhouettes.

Billy Porter attended the 2020 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon with Jenifer Lewis at the Beverly Wilshire, pairing his graphic Official Rebrand suit with sculptural white ankle boots that reinforced his reputation for architectural, shoe-led styling on February 6, 2020

From Architectural Couture to Iconic Heels: Why Giles Deacon and Jimmy Choo Matter

Billy Porter’s Oscars moment was more than a singular red-carpet spectacle—it was a masterclass in how couture storytelling and footwear engineering work in tandem.

Designers like Giles Deacon bring narrative, symbolism, and structure to the body, while houses such as Jimmy Choo deliver the height, balance, and glamour needed to carry those ideas from concept to carpet. For a closer look at how these fashion powerhouses continue to shape celebrity style through bold silhouettes and statement shoes, explore the related moments below.