Black-and-White Glamour: 8 Stunning Shoe Moments From the WSJ Innovator Awards

Back in 2017, the seventh annual Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards lit up New York’s Museum of Modern Art on November 1, drawing some of the most influential names in fashion, entertainment, art, and tech.

From Reese Witherspoon to Raf Simons, the event celebrated creative trailblazers whose work made waves across industries—and whose black-and-white red carpet looks still inspire today.

The evening embraced a sleek black-and-white theme, with honorees and guests showcasing bold, fashion-forward interpretations of monochrome style. Naturally, shoes played a starring role, with designer heels and standout footwear choices adding a touch of flair to every look.

From Karlie Kloss’s classic Christian Louboutin pumps to Gwyneth Paltrow’s minimal Jimmy Choo sandals, we’re revisiting the standout shoes that walked the carpet at this star-studded gala. Here’s a throwback look at some of the most memorable Innovator Awards ensembles—each with a fashionable focus on the feet.

Power in Pumps: Karlie Kloss Wears Christian Louboutin to WSJ Innovator Awards

Karlie does a gorgeous mix of lace and sequins at the WSJ. Magazine 2017 Innovator Awards at MOMA on November 1, 2017, in New York City (Credit: Patricia Schlein / WENN)

If anyone can master the art of black and white, it’s Karlie Kloss. A regular on the Innovator Awards red carpet, the supermodel is known for her love of classic hues, though her minimalist streak can occasionally feel a touch too safe.

Luckily, this time was an exception. Karlie wore a sheer lace corset underneath a beautifully constructed sequin blazer. To balance the look, the model wore a pair of tailored pants.

Karlie finished the look with a pair of Christian Louboutin “So Kate” pumps.

The model adds a little business to her fun look with a pair of Christian Louboutin “So Kate” pumps

Golden Glam: Maddie Ziegler Grows Up in Lace-Up Sandals

Maddie Ziegler leaves her tutus behind for a more elegant look.

Our little Sia dancer is all grown up! Maddie Ziegler is stepping out of her tutus and pinks for the big girl red carpet outfits.

Maddie looked elegant in a Tommy Hilfiger LBD with gold and black sequins on the skirt hem. A sheer panel overlay and double straps gave the dress a subtle upgrade, proving that it’s all about the details.

A pair of gold lace-up sandals and some minimalist David Yurman jewelry completed the young dancer’s look.

The dancer accented her Tommy Hilfiger LBD with a pair of sexy lace-up sandals.

Minimalist Chic: Martha Hunt Wows in Marni Footwear and Celine Color Blocking

Martha lets a few loose strands peek out from her Celine turtleneck sweater.

The stunning Victoria’s Secret model proves she can do sophisticated fashion — and do it well. Martha Hunt exchanged her frivolous lingerie and angel wings for a simple high-end look. Personally, this is one of our faves.

Martha slipped into an iconic Celine color block sweater, which she paired with cigarette pants. If you missed the subtle combination of her black turtleneck, burnt burgundy sleeves, and navy blue pants, you just missed the whole point of the outfit.

A trendy pair of Peter Pan shoes from Marni and Cartier earrings finished her look.

Martha Hunt showcased minimalist chic at the WSJ Innovator Awards in a Celine color-block sweater, cigarette pants, and Marni shoes

Fierce in Louboutins: Joan Smalls Brings Edge to the Monochrome Carpet

Joan’s cateye makeup wins the night.

Trust Joan Smalls to give us nothing short of fierce. The Puerto Rican beauty brought out the cat eye, which, interestingly, worked quite well with her gigantic, crystal-embellished Cartier earrings.

However, we’re not entirely sold on her Nina Ricci dress. While it falls under our definition of innovative — that is, taking a plunging dress and a bikini top and covering it in sequins — we feel the dress tried too hard.

A pair of Christian Louboutin sandals completed Joan’s look.

Model Joan Smalls captivated in a shimmering black sequined Nina Ricci dress with bold cut-outs and a daring silhouette, accessorized with striking jewelry

Balmain Beauty: Ava Phillippe Elevates Her Look with Gianvito Rossi Heels

Ava Phillippe is pictured with long, wavy blonde hair and blue eyes

The adorable mini-Reese Witherspoon, Ava Phillippe, looks more and more like her mother every day. Thankfully, she’s not as Southern about her outfit choices as her mother is.

Ava wowed the crowd in an elegant black Balmain dress that featured an asymmetrical neckline and sheer sleeves. Can you imagine Reese in a Balmain dress? We can’t. But Ava more than makes up for her mother’s solid Southern preferences.

The 18-year-old finished her look with a pair of Gianvito Rossi sandals.

Ava Phillippe attended the 2017 WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards in a sleek black mini dress featuring a sheer long sleeve and a ruffled skirt, paired with black open-toed heels

Ava Phillippe and mom, Reese Witherspoon, were the ultimate lookalikes, posing together at the WSJ Innovator Awards

Hollywood Royalty: Reese Witherspoon Accepts Award in Jimmy Choo Sandals

Reese Witherspoon with her blonde hair styled in soft waves, complementing her black dress adorned with green and silver embellishments and dramatic puffed sleeves

If we featured Ava, we have to feature Reese. The actress was, after all, named the Innovator of the Year for Entertainment. Reese has been pushing for gender equality in the industry with her media production company, Hello Sunshine.

Reese stuck to her favorite fit-and-flare silhouette with a dress from Giorgio Armani’s Fall 2017 collection. We can’t quite understand what is happening with this dress. To us, it looks like something out of a Lady Gaga music video climbed onto Reese’s body. Nonetheless, the actress looked radiant with clean makeup and her blonde locks neatly curled.

The actress finished her look with a Tyler Ellis small “Lee” pouch, a pair of Jimmy Choo sandals, and jewelry from Cartier.

Reese Witherspoon wears a black dress with a sequined bodice and dramatic puffed sleeves from Giorgio Armani’s Fall 2017 collection

Reese Witherspoon poses alongside Candice Bergen at the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards

One-Leg Wonder: Naomi Campbell’s Jean Paul Gaultier Jumpsuit & Pointy Pumps

Naomi Campbell showcased daring Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, including an elaborate ear cuff and a striking nose piece, complementing her sleek black outfit

We are thankful for women like Naomi Campbell who take fashion innovation to heart. The supermodel took to great lengths to steer away from the typical LBDs, and instead, served us up one of the most interesting looks of the night.

Naomi wore a striking deconstructed tuxedo jumpsuit by Jean Paul Gaultier, complete with an asymmetrical neckline and sharp lapel detailing. The real showstopper? The avant-garde design featured just one pant leg — a bold, fashion-forward twist only Naomi could pull off with such confidence.

Naomi didn’t stop at a statement jumpsuit. Opting out of the night’s unofficial Cartier club, she turned heads with an extravagant display of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. Between the ear cuff, layered earrings, and sculptural nose piece, her accessories were a dazzling maze of sparkle — and we’re still trying to decode what connected where.

Naomi Campbell arrived in a striking deconstructed Jean Paul Gaultier jumpsuit, featuring a single long sleeve and an asymmetrical hem, accessorized with bold statement jewelry

Sleek & Sparkling: Gwyneth Paltrow Completes Michael Kors Look with Jimmy Choo

Gwyneth Paltrow sported a sleek look with a plunging neckline, accentuated by a black blazer, at the WSJ Innovator Awards

Last but certainly not least is the impeccable Gwyneth Paltrow. While we’ve seen her in some pretty experimental stuff on the red carpet, we love her tailored looks the most.

Gwyneth stepped out in a plunging Michael Kors cross-front silk shirt, which she tucked underneath an oversized double crepe-sable blazer. The Michael Kors “Paillette” sarong skirt added a bit of shine to her look.

A pair of Jimmy Choo “Minny” sandals completed the actress’s look.

Gwyneth Paltrow arrived at the WSJ Innovator Awards in a sophisticated Michael Kors ensemble, featuring a plunging white top beneath an oversized black blazer and a sparkling black skirt, complemented by black open-toed heels

Our personal favorites would have to be Martha’s chic Celine outfit and Naomi’s experimental look. As much as we would have loved to give Reese the trophy, that silhouette has been worn out on her. We would have loved to see her in something slinky and elegant.

More Iconic Shoes from Past WSJ Innovator Awards

While 2017 offered no shortage of standout footwear, the WSJ Innovator Awards have delivered memorable shoe moments year after year. From bold boots to crystal embellishments, here are a few more style highlights from other editions of this influential fashion-meets-culture event: