How the Cats Premiere Defined “Method Dressing” Long Before the 2025 Met Gala

While many stars opted for traditional glamour at the world premiere of Cats at New York City’s Alice Tully Hall on December 16, 2019, a few attendees leaned into the production’s feline roots through avant-garde textures and statement footwear.

Moving away from the era’s standard red-carpet minimalism, these ensembles prioritized tactile materials like fur and felt, offering a masterclass in thematic dressing.

The men in attendance, in particular, proved that high-concept footwear could anchor an entire look. From literal fur-covered sneakers to couture textures that mimicked matted coats, the following highlights showcase how footwear and accessories can transform a premiere appearance into a piece of performance art.

Dancers Larry Nicolas and Laurent Bourgeois, aka Les Twins, brought feline flair to the Cats world premiere at Alice Tully Hall, NYC, on December 16, 2019, with fur-trimmed jackets, bold accessories, and matching gray fur-covered sneakers (Credit: Instar / Joseph Marzullo / WENN)

For instance, French dancers and Men In Black: International scene-stealers Larry Nicolas and Laurent Bourgeois, aka Les Twins, arrived wearing fur sneakers and touches of fur on their jackets, shirts, and collars.

We think it’s safe to say the identical twins no longer like dressing the same. However, they opted for matching white-and-gray fur-covered sneakers with untied laces, a bold and playful choice.

Les Twins showcase bold, feline-inspired style at the Cats premiere with matching gray fur-covered sneakers and untied laces for an edgy, playful touch

So, we’re cheating a little with theater devotee Jordan Roth. But if there’s anyone we can count on to dress on the theme at premieres of musical movie adaptations, it’s Broadway theater owner and producer, Mr. Roth.

Jordan Roth embraces theatrical glamour at the Cats premiere in a Viktor & Rolf Fall 2019 Couture coat crafted from dense felt wool in a striking black-to-multicolor gradient, styled with sleek black platform boots and dramatic cat-eye makeup

The Jujamcyn Theaters president brought theatrical flair to the Cats premiere in a Viktor & Rolf Fall 2019 Couture coat, its gradient-black, matted-fur-like texture making him look as if he’d stepped straight out of one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s alley-cat ensembles.

The Tony Award winner embraced the theme with flair, sporting bold cat-eye eyeliner (naturally) and styling his crimped hair into playful cat-ear shapes.

Jordan Roth rocking crimped cat-ear hair, extended cat-eye makeup, and abstract line nail art mimicking the colors on his Viktor & Rolf coat

We only wish he had opted for a fur purse instead of the feather-covered one. Even so, Roth was one of the few guests who truly dressed on theme for the Cats premiere.

Jordan Roth carried a striking feather-covered purse to the Cats premiere after-party, perfectly complementing his avant-garde, textured couture ensemble and bold feline-inspired makeup

More Thematic Dressing Moments That Prove Shoes Complete the Story

As this concludes our look at the most feline-inspired fashion from the Cats premiere, these related Your Next Shoes stories show how statement footwear can sharpen costume-driven dressing, reinforce a character-inspired narrative, and turn a themed outfit into a true fashion moment.