Chanel Pumps & Louboutin Sandals: Kirsten Dunst, Lily Allen, and Kate Hudson Lead Pre-BAFTA 2026 Style

The 79th British Academy Film Awards are finally here! But before the spotlight turns to this year’s winners and nominees, the celebrations began at 5 Hertford Street, where the Charles Finch and Chanel pre-BAFTA party brought together a stylish crowd of stars.

Cocktail dresses ruled the evening, with black emerging as the standout color on the red carpet. As expected, Chanel was a favorite among many attendees, bringing its signature elegance to the evening.

Kirsten Dunst and Lily Allen led the style set in head-to-toe Chanel, finishing their looks with classic Chanel pumps for a perfectly polished touch. Still, not everyone chose the iconic French fashion house. Kate Hudson stood out in Ralph Lauren, while Marisa Abela added a bold edge with her Louboutins.

Kirsten Dunst, Lily Allen, Kate Hudson, Gwendoline Christie, and Marisa Abela lead the glamour in designer looks with understated but chic shoes at the Charles Finch & Chanel 2026 pre-BAFTA Party at 5 Hertford Street Club on February 21, 2026, in London, England. (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

From timeless silhouettes to modern glamour, the pre-BAFTA party delivered a masterclass in cocktail dressing. Let’s take a closer look at who truly stood out.

Kirsten Dunst Elevates Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 Knit Dress With Two-Tone Red-Trim Pumps

Kirsten Dunst may have missed out on a nomination for Roofman, but she didn’t miss her moment at the pre-BAFTA party.

She wore a delicate black Chanel dress from the Pre-Fall 2026 collection, and up close, the openwork knit pattern stood out. I love how the intricate texture added depth and visual interest while subtly revealing a hint of her skin.

It was alluring without being over-the-top. The silhouette was clean and modest, skimming her frame effortlessly, while the crystal detailing along the high round neckline and flouncy ankle-length hem added just the right touch of shimmer.

Kirsten Dunst wows in a black openwork knit dress from the Chanel Pre-Fall 2026, featuring a form-fitting silhouette and crystal trims along the neckline and flouncy hem (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Two-Tone Chanel Pumps Add a Refined Pop of Red

Dunst kept her accessories minimal with just a pair of diamond earrings, allowing her dress to shine.

Her Chanel pumps from the Spring 2026 collection completed the outfit. At first glance, they seemed simple, but the two-toned design made them stand out.

They featured black toe caps with red trim at the vamps, red slingback straps, and high heels, creating a subtle pop of color that perfectly complemented her red lipstick!

Kirsten Dunst pairs her black knit dress with two-tone black-and-red Chanel Spring 2026 pumps (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Lily Allen Channels Retro Glamour in Chanel Plaid Suit and Satin Slingback Pumps

Lily Allen brought a fun pop of color to a night packed with dark cocktail dresses. Her Chanel Spring 2026 skirt suit instantly stood out with its rich autumnal mix of yellows, oranges, and black.

She wore a plaid jacket, finished with subtle frayed trims that gave it a vintage feel. She layered it over a black turtleneck, which helped tone down the bold pattern.

Down below, Allen chose a red woven skirt that hit right at the knees. I was especially drawn to the fabric’s satin-like sheen. It added dimension and a soft glow under the lights, elevating the entire outfit.

Lily Allen brings color to the black carpet in a Chanel Spring 2026 skirt suit, featuring a plaid jacket in yellow, orange, and black with frayed trims and a red woven plaid skirt (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Retro Beauty Meets Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 Slingback Pumps

Lily’s beauty styling leaned into that retro vibe. With her hair swept up into a high bun and blunt, face-framing fringe, the look felt very mod and playful.

She accessorized with a Chanel Preppy Coco bag, dangling gold earrings, rings, bracelets, including the $13,000 Tiffany & Co. Lock Bangle with round brilliant diamonds, and a Chanel Premiere Galon watch.

Her sheer black tights completed that vintage feel for me. They added a subtle polish and enhanced the classic skirt-suit silhouette before she slipped into a pair of black satin pointed-toe slingback pumps. Hailing from the Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 collection, the pumps featured squared vamps, cap toes, side cutouts, and high heels.

Lily Allen completes her vintage-inspired tailored look with sheer black tights and satin slingback pumps from Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2026 collection (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Kate Hudson Stuns in Ralph Lauren Leather Bustier and Flowing White Skirt

BAFTA Best Actress in a Leading Role nominee Kate Hudson kept things simple but striking in a black and white Ralph Lauren look. I loved how classic the color combination felt, yet the design details made it anything but basic.

Her $2,890 “Harling” bustier top was the real standout. Made in Italy from supple nappa lambskin leather, the piece had a beautiful architectural structure. It had princess seams and internal boning that sculpted her figure, while the sharp V-cut neckline and diagonal front seam added a modern edge.

The Song Sung Blue actress paired it with a flowing white skirt from the Spring 2026 collection, and I loved how the soft pleating moved so effortlessly as she walked, creating that airy, ethereal contrast against the structured leather bodice.

Kate Hudson, with fiancé Danny Fujikawa, stuns in an architectural black leather Ralph Lauren bustier top and an airy white maxi skirt (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

I also liked that she skipped a necklace, letting the neckline shine. Instead, she chose dangling diamond earrings, which were beautifully highlighted by her blonde hair styled in side-swept waves, with one side tucked behind her ear.

We couldn’t see her shoes, but black, white, or even silver heels would have worked beautifully. Personally, I would have loved delicate open-toe sandals to keep the look feeling light.

Gwendoline Christie Reinvents Red Carpet Tailoring With Cuban-Heel Ankle Boots

Gwendoline Christie went in a totally different direction on the red carpet, and I have to say, I appreciate the boldness. Instead of going for a dress like most attendees, she stepped out in a black-and-white two-piece ensemble that looked more tailored and fashion-forward.

Christie wore a loose-fitting white blouse with exaggerated puff sleeves and an oversized bow cascading down the front. I’m honestly not fully sold on the fit because it was a little too sloppy for my taste.

Even when tucked into the high-waisted black trousers, the blouse still looked quite voluminous. Her tailored pants, though, looked great on her. They really elongated her frame and gave the outfit some structure.

Gwendoline Christie embraces an androgynous style in a loose white shirt with a large bow tie and tailored black pants (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Squared-Toe Ankle Boots Reinforce the Androgynous Aesthetic

She paired them with ultra-shiny black ankle boots, which added a sleek, sophisticated edge. The boots featured squared toes, side zips, and Cuban heels, giving the whole look a modern, slightly androgynous feel.

I didn’t notice any jewelry, which felt like a missed opportunity. A touch of sparkle could have elevated the black-and-white palette.

With her hair styled in loose waves around her shoulders, the overall vibe leaned relaxed. Still, I admire her for choosing something unconventional and confidently owning it!

Gwendoline Christie completes her cool and edgy black-and-white look with glossy ankle boots (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Marisa Abela Completes All-Black Look With Christian Louboutin “Tangueva” Sandals

British actress Marisa Abela kept things simple but undeniably sultry in an all-black look that really worked for her. I loved how clean and straightforward the dress was.

It had an off-the-shoulder neckline that gave it that soft, feminine touch, while the subtle side cutout added just the right amount of edge. Adding a bit more structure and detail to the design was a seam running along the center front.

What really made the dress stand out was the fit. It hugged Marisa’s figure beautifully, and the ankle-length cut kept everything looking sleek and polished.

Marisa Abela, with husband Jamie Bogyo, stuns in a form-fitting off-the-shoulder black maxi dress (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Christian Louboutin “Tangueva” Sandals Add Graphic Elegance

She could have easily added a necklace for a pop of sparkle, but I actually like that she skipped it and kept the focus on the neckline. Instead, she wore just her engagement ring, which felt personal and understated. Her side-parted wet-look tousled waves added to the sultry vibe, paired with lightly smoky eyeshadow and nude lipstick.

A pair of Christian Louboutin “Tangueva” sandals in iridescent black leather completed her ensemble and added that extra bit of polish. The crisscrossing front straps created a bold, graphic effect across her feet, while the slim T-strap, buckled ankle straps, and 4-inch heels kept the design feeling elegant and elongated.

There’s a textured, metallic silver version available for $995 at Mytheresa, and honestly, it would look just as stunning with Marisa’s black dress. It would add a brighter contrast and a bit more shine while still keeping the look refined.

Marisa Abela pairs her LBD with strappy black Christian Louboutin “Tangueva” sandals (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

More 2026 Shoe Trends & Celebrity Footwear Moments to Bookmark

As awards season continues to spotlight statement heels, modern slingbacks, and refreshed classics, 2026 is already shaping up to be a defining year for footwear. From red carpet risk-takers to wearable trend forecasts, explore more standout shoe moments below.