Catherine Laga’aia’s ‘Moana’ Press Tour: Brandon Blackwood Bamboo Heels & Jimmy Choo ‘Ixia’ Sandals

Standing at just 5’2″ (1.57 m), Catherine Laga’aia is one of Hollywood’s most petite rising stars, but she’s proving that a strong fashion presence isn’t measured in inches.

Ahead of the live-action adaptation of Disney’s Moana, which arrives in U.S. theaters on Friday, July 10, the newcomer has been turning every press appearance into a lesson in proportion, favoring modern silhouettes, architectural heels, and youthful designer looks that beautifully complement her frame.

For someone just stepping into the spotlight, her style choices have been remarkably assured. From sculptural Brandon Blackwood heels to sleek Jimmy Choo sandals and statement Cult Gaia designs, Laga’aia has embraced polished, personality-filled looks that make her press tour just as captivating as her highly anticipated film debut.

Catherine Laga’aia showcases her style prowess in Cult Gaia dresses and heels by Brandon Blackwood and Jimmy Choo while promoting her Disney movie Moana (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages / Dave Starbuck / Future Image / Cover Images)

The film also stars Dwayne Johnson as Maui, the legendary, strong-willed, and slightly egotistical shapeshifting demigod who joins Moana on her journey.

Polka-Dot Romance: Catherine Laga’aia Wears Brandon Blackwood Bamboo Heels and a Ruffled Dress

Catherine Laga’aia stepped out of the Good Morning America studios in an age-appropriate look, mixing modern romanticism with a playful black-and-white twist.

She slipped into Brandon Blackwood’s “Bamboo B” mule heels, whose sculptural gold-tone bamboo-inspired heels immediately caught my eye. At first glance, they almost looked like a Gucci design, but the New York label gave the motif its own contemporary twist. Like the Brandon Blackwood “Sali” sandals worn by Jenna Ortega, the Bamboo B mules showcase the designer’s talent for turning minimalist silhouettes into statement pieces through bold architectural details.

The signature heel is formed by three slender bamboo-like columns that create a wide sculptural base with an open center, giving the sandals a distinctive profile from every angle. Slim black straps knotted across the vamp soften the dramatic construction, while the modern square open toes keep the design feeling fresh and effortless.

The sleek, pared-back silhouette was the perfect counterpoint to Catherine Laga’aia’s voluminous ruffled dress, allowing both the shoes and the romantic ensemble to stand out without competing for attention.

Catherine Laga’aia slips into a pair of Brandon Blackwood sandals made of slim black cord-like straps with a knotted center, open square toes, and gold-tone bamboo heels (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

For the outfit, Catherine wore a black-and-white dress that was romantic but not too serious. It featured a strapless white bandeau top, decorated with black polka dots and layered with cascading ruffles, giving it a vintage Parisian-inspired touch.

It was secured with a tie ribbon at the back, adding a sweet, flirty detail that softened the look. The lower half of the dress was a voluminous black skirt featuring a drop-waist band around the hips and tiered ruffles that created a soft ball-gown effect.

Laga’aia styled the look with thin long earrings, a few rings, curly half-up, half-down hair, and minimal makeup, keeping everything fresh and perfect for a daytime press appearance.

Catherine Laga’aia pairs her striking sandals with a romantic yet playful black-and-white dress featuring a polka-dot bodice, cascading tiered ruffles, and a voluminous black skirt with a drop-waist band on July 6, 2026, in New York City (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Boho Elegance: Catherine Laga’aia Styles Jimmy Choo Ixia Heels With a Cult Gaia Two-Piece

Arriving at the GMA studio, Catherine Laga’aia opted for a sophisticated but youthful boho look in a printed Cult Gaia ensemble styled with crisp white Jimmy Choo heels.

She grounded the look with the Jimmy Choo “Ixia” sandals in white leather, a minimalist style defined by delicate front straps, side cutout panels, and a modern square-toe opening. The slim buckled ankle strap kept the silhouette sleek, while the brand’s signature 3.7-inch sculptural drop heel added an architectural element that has become a standout feature of the design.

The Ixia has quickly emerged as a celebrity favorite, spotted on Kaia Gerber at the Toronto International Film Festival, Anya Taylor-Joy at the Cannes Film Festival, and Erin Doherty at the 2026 Independent Spirit Awards. On Catherine Laga’aia, the sandals provided the perfect counterbalance to her flowing Cult Gaia ensemble, lending the bohemian separates a crisp, polished finish without competing with the intricate print and draped silhouette.

Catherine Laga’aia wears the Jimmy Choo “Ixia” sandals in white leather, giving her elaborate outfit a sleek finish (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Catherine paired her white heels with Cult Gaia’s earth-toned two-piece set, covered in the “Wild Dahlia” print. The mix of golden beige, smoky brown, and soft floral details gave the outfit a romantic, artsy vibe.

Her ensemble included the “Banksia” top, which featured a relaxed, draped shape, ruching details, and a cropped, asymmetric hem that revealed a glimpse of her midriff. She matched it with the “Cosmea” maxi skirt, worn low on the waist, with airy silk floral layers that moved beautifully as she walked.

Her curly hair, gold hoop earrings, and rings finished her look with just the right amount of shimmer.

Catherine Laga’aia pairs her white heels with a floral-printed, earth-toned Cult Gaia ensemble, featuring a draped bodice and a flowy maxi skirt on July 6, 2026, in New York City (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Red Carpet Drama: Catherine Laga’aia Wears the Cult Gaia Wynter Dress at the Moana Premiere

At the Los Angeles world premiere of Disney’s Moana at the Hollywood Bowl, Catherine Laga’aia embraced coastal high fashion in another standout Cult Gaia look.

This time, she wore the brand’s “Wynter” dress, an avant-garde, architectural piece covered in a bold black-and-white botanical print. The cascading micro-pleated ruffles gave the dress so much texture, making it look dramatic from every angle! I loved how the print nodded to a tropical mood, but the shape made it feel much more red carpet-ready.

Catherine Laga’aia attends the world premiere of Moana in a striking black-and-white botanical-printed gown by Cult Gaia, made even more dramatic with cascading micro-pleated ruffles in Los Angeles, California, on July 7, 2026 (Credit: Dave Starbuck / Future Image / Cover Images)

The dress featured a halter neckline with sculptural cutouts at the midriff and sides, giving the look a flirty, youthful edge. Below, the skirt billowed out like a modern ball gown, skimming the floor with layers of pleated ruffles that added volume and movement.

The dress was originally midi-length, but on Catherine, it reached the floor, unfortunately hiding her shoes. She finished the look with sparkling earrings and matching rings.

Catherine Laga’aia’s Moana Press Tour Proves Petite Style Can Still Feel Powerful

As Catherine Laga’aia steps into her first major Hollywood press tour, her fashion choices already feel remarkably assured.

From Brandon Blackwood’s sculptural bamboo heels to Jimmy Choo’s architectural Ixia sandals and Cult Gaia’s romantic statement dresses, the 5’2″ Disney newcomer has shown how thoughtful proportions, modern heels, and youthful polish can create a memorable style identity from the very beginning.