At the premiere of The Face of an Angel during the BFI London Film Festival in London on October 18, 2014, Cara Delevingne brought her model-off-duty style to the red carpet in a way that still feels distinctive today.
While promoting her early acting role in the psychological thriller, the then-22-year-old paired a sleek Donna Karan mini dress with one of the decade’s most recognizable footwear trends: hidden wedge sneakers. Instead of traditional pumps or sandals, she chose DKNY’s studded “Griffin” trainers, leaning into the sporty-luxury aesthetic that defined much of mid-2010s street style.
Cara Delevingne pairs a sleek black Donna Karan mini dress with edgy DKNY Griffin studded wedge sneakers at the BFI London Film Festival premiere of The Face of an Angel
Cara Delevingne Styled Wedge Sneakers for the Red Carpet
Rather than switching to classic stilettos for her film premiere appearance, Cara stayed close to the relaxed streetwear styling that helped define her early fashion identity.
Her black Donna Karan mini dress kept the silhouette clean and minimal, allowing the heavily embellished DKNY wedge sneakers to become the focal point of the outfit.
The combination reflected a moment in fashion when hidden wedges, luxury trainers, and sporty tailoring regularly crossed into red-carpet dressing.
Cara Delevingne at ‘The Face of an Angel’ screening during the BFI London Film Festival at the Odeon West End in London, England, on October 18, 2014 (Credit: Daniel Deme / WENN)
She accessorized with layered gold jewelry and carried one of the quilted backpacks from her Mulberry collaboration, reinforcing the mix of luxury fashion and streetwear that shaped her style during that period.
Cara’s Collaboration With Mulberry: Edgy Meets Elegant
Around the same time, Cara was also collaborating with Mulberry on a backpack collection that blended the brand’s polished leather craftsmanship with her more relaxed, utility-driven style.
Cara’s line of Mulberry bags featured 18 backpack styles, each with a heart-shaped patch on the inside, a nod to the feisty model’s heart tattoo.
Cara Delevingne carries a black quilted leather Mulberry backpack—designed as part of her collaboration with the British brand—featuring a flap top, drawstring closure, and the iconic postman’s lock, blending practicality with her signature edgy-chic style
The collection included multiple sizes, finishes, and hardware variations, with convertible straps that allowed the bags to be carried by hand, worn over the shoulder, or styled as backpacks.
Cara Delevingne carried a quilted black Mulberry backpack from her collaboration with the British label, featuring the brand’s signature postman’s lock, braided leather detailing, and convertible straps
DKNY “Griffin” Sneakers: Bold Footwear With an Edge
For footwear, Cara chose DKNY’s “Griffin” wedge sneakers, one of several designer high-top styles released during the peak of the hidden-wedge sneaker trend.
Cara Delevingne’s DKNY “Griffin” wedge sneakers feature quilted leather, gold-tone grommet detailing, side zippers, and hidden wedge heels for a bold, street-style edge
DKNY’s “Griffin” Wedge Sneakers Captured a Defining 2010s Trend
Hidden-wedge sneakers became a major fashion movement in the early 2010s, with brands like Isabel Marant, DKNY, and Ash turning athletic silhouettes into statement footwear.
DKNY’s “Griffin” version stood out for its quilted finish, oversized hardware, and sneaker-boot hybrid construction.
DKNY’s “Griffin” wedge sneakers combine quilted leather panels, oversized gold-tone hardware, and a hidden wedge sole, capturing the sporty-luxury sneaker trend that dominated mid-2010s fashion
The Hidden-Wedge Sneaker Trend That Defined the Early 2010s
Hidden-wedge sneakers became one of the defining footwear trends of the early 2010s, blurring the line between athletic shoes and fashion heels. Designers, including Isabel Marant, DKNY, Ash, and Giuseppe Zanotti, released elevated high-top styles that quickly moved from street style into mainstream celebrity fashion.
Cara Delevingne’s DKNY pair reflected that shift perfectly, combining sneaker comfort with oversized hardware, quilted textures, and extra height that worked equally well with mini dresses and casual denim.
👠 Explore More Mulberry & DKNY Shoe and Fashion Moments:
- 🎒 Cara debuted her Mulberry collection at the 2014 Elle Style Awards, pairing a black Mulberry bag with sculptural Burberry Prorsum platform wedges.
- 👟 Cara’s DKNY campaign style captured her early-2010s mix of streetwear, denim, sneakers, and sharp heels.
- ✨ DKNY’s Artworks launch spotlighted sporty footwear, including Cara Delevingne in perforated “Grommet” wedge sneakers.
- 👡 Cat Deeley’s Mulberry “Bayswater” sandals gave a striped top and denim look a polished British finish.
- 👠 Rita Ora’s DKNY for Opening Ceremony high-heel sneakers turned a simple trench-and-jeans outfit into a bold New York street-style moment.