Ciara’s Red-Carpet Shoe Strategy: How She Styled Custom Gianvito Rossi & Archival Alaïa Sandals

In May 2019, Ciara showcased two very different approaches to occasion dressing within a few days.

At the 2019 Met Gala in New York, she embraced disco-era glamour in a feather-trimmed emerald gown inspired by Diana Ross and Studio 54. Earlier that week in Los Angeles, she opted for a more sculptural silhouette in a white couture shorts ensemble paired with strappy Azzedine Alaïa sandals.

From towering green sandals at fashion’s biggest night to minimalist Alaïa heels on the purple carpet, both looks highlighted Ciara’s preference for statement footwear that complements rather than competes with dramatic clothing.

1. Ciara Channels Diana Ross at the 2019 Met Gala in Emerald Dundas Gown and Green Sandals

Ciara channeled her inner Diana Ross with a giant Afro at the 2019 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday in New York City.

Ciara embraced Studio 54 glamour at the 2019 Met Gala in a feather-trimmed emerald Peter Dundas gown paired with custom Gianvito Rossi sandals and a dramatic Diana Ross-inspired Afro in New York City on May 6, 2019 (Credit: FayesVision / Andres Otero / WENN)

The “Thinkin Bout You” hit-maker donned an emerald green sequined gown embellished with ostrich feathers. Her jaw-dropping dress by Peter Dundas also features a high-leg slit and a feathered train.

She styled the custom gown with matching elbow-length gloves, jeweled hair clips, and emerald-green strappy sandals, which several fashion publications identified as custom Gianvito Rossi heels.

Coordinated to match the sequins and ostrich feathers of the Peter Dundas design, the sandals reinforced the monochromatic Studio 54-inspired aesthetic while adding height without distracting from the dramatic silhouette.

César DeLeön Ramirêz created Ciara’s show-stopping Met Gala hairstyle by combining six wigs to achieve the singer’s voluminous disco-era Afro

Her ultra-voluminous hairdo was created by celebrity hairstylist and wigmaker César DeLeön Ramirêz. With over 21 years of experience in the hair industry, he sewed six wigs together and then teased and volumized them with Unite Go 365 3-in-1 Hairspray.

On the pink carpet, she talked about her Diana Ross and Studio 54-inspired look with Vogue’s Liza Koshy.

Although Ciara’s exact Met Gala sandals appear to have been custom-made for the occasion, Gianvito Rossi continues to produce similar minimalist stiletto sandals in satin, metallic finishes, and jewel tones.

As of June 2026, Farfetch still carries several Gianvito Rossi evening sandal styles that capture the same elegant aesthetic, including the Portofino 105 suede sandals ($854–$950), Portofino glitter sandals ($325 on sale), Montecarlo crystal sandals ($792 pre-owned), Calissa 85 leather sandals ($874), and Ribbon Candy 105 sandals ($752).

While Ciara’s emerald Met Gala pair appears to have been created specifically for her Peter Dundas gown, these modern designs demonstrate how Gianvito Rossi’s signature approach to delicate straps, tall stilettos, and refined evening silhouettes has remained remarkably consistent over the years.

Just days before the Met Gala appearance, Ciara took a different approach to evening dressing at VH1’s Dear Mama: A Love Letter to Mom event in Los Angeles, trading sequins and feathers for sharp couture tailoring and sleek sandals.

2. Ciara Pairs Stéphane Rolland Couture Shorts With Azzedine Alaïa Sandals at Dear Mama 2019

Ciara balanced Stéphane Rolland couture’s architectural proportions with delicate Alaïa sandals at VH1’s Dear Mama event in Los Angeles on May 2, 2019 (Credit: FayesVision / Andres Otero / WENN)

The Beauty Marks entertainer flashed her legs in a Stéphane Rolland Spring 2018 Haute Couture shorts ensemble featuring an asymmetrical one-shoulder ruffle, a sweeping train, and sculptural folded details.

She completed the couture look with strappy Azzedine Alaïa sandals, whose minimalist design balanced the outfit’s volume and architectural lines.

The sweeping asymmetrical train transformed Ciara’s Stéphane Rolland shorts ensemble into a striking couture statement on the purple carpet

She was joined at the event by co-hosts Anthony Anderson and La La Anthony, as well as guests Ashanti, Luke James, and Jesse Collins.

Ciara completed her Dear Mama look with sculptural Azzedine Alaïa sandals featuring oversized bead embellishments and slender stiletto heels

Known for combining sensuality with precise craftsmanship, Alaïa has long been associated with sculptural sandals featuring intricate straps, cutouts, and refined leatherwork. Similar styles remain part of the house’s collections today, while archival pairs continue to perform strongly on the luxury resale market.

As of June 2026, Mytheresa carries designs such as the Strappy 90 leather sandals ($1,790), Sphere leather sandals ($1,690), Marsa embellished sandals ($1,290), Spiral 90 metallic sandals ($2,000), and Oeillets embellished leather sandals ($850). Although contemporary collections lean toward thong silhouettes, wedges, and metallic finishes, they preserve the house’s emphasis on craftsmanship, distinctive hardware, and architectural detailing.

Ciara’s 2019 Style Lesson: Dramatic Clothes Work Best With Intentional Shoes

From the emerald Gianvito Rossi sandals that extended the fantasy of her Peter Dundas Met Gala gown to the sculptural Alaïa heels that grounded her Stéphane Rolland couture look, Ciara showed how the right shoes can sharpen even the most theatrical outfit.

Her May 2019 appearances remain a strong example of red-carpet dressing, in which footwear supports the story rather than competing with it.