Dakota Fanning Pairs Alexander McQueen With Chain-Trimmed Louboutin Mules

On October 11, 2016, Dakota Fanning joined world leaders in New York City to celebrate the International Day of the Girl.

Known for her transition from a prolific child star to a sophisticated fashion icon, Fanning used the Empire State Building’s global stage to advocate for Save the Children, a non-profit dedicated to ensuring children worldwide receive the support and resources they deserve.

Dakota Fanning smiles at the podium in a sleeveless red dress as she addresses attendees during the Empire State Building lighting ceremony in New York City

For the occasion, Dakota opted for a monochromatic palette that balanced professional advocacy with high-fashion flair.

Her choice of bold crimson served as a visual nod to the empowerment of young girls, while her footwear choice proved why she is a perennial favorite for shoe enthusiasts.

Dakota also took the opportunity to raise awareness for “Save the Children,” an organization she is an ambassador for.

Holding a commemorative award, Dakota Fanning showcases the clean lines of her red mini dress, paired with neutral heels, during the International Day of the Girl event in New York City on October 11, 2016 (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

“This is such an important day for millions of girls around the globe and organizations like Save The Children that work all year around to impact and improve the lives of many children’s lives,” Fanning said during the lighting ceremony. “I sponsor a girl through Save the Children, and it’s important for me to do my part in helping girls advance in their lives.”

The Alexander McQueen & Louboutin Pairing

The actress showcased her svelte figure in a red sleeveless Alexander McQueen cape-back mini dress. The garment featured delicate pleating at the front of the skirt, providing a structural elegance that complemented the dramatic cape detail.

A close-up highlights Dakota Fanning’s nude cutout mule heels with gold chain detailing, grounding the bold red look with understated elegance

To anchor the vibrant red dress, Dakota looked to Christian Louboutin, choosing the “Akenana” cutout mules. These light tan, pointed-toe heels feature a signature gold chain trim along the vamp, bridging the gap between a classic pump and a modern mule.

Dakota Fanning poses with children from Save the Children at the Empire State Building observation deck, reinforcing the event’s focus on advocacy and youth empowerment

While the event focused on the future of women’s empowerment, the actress emphasized that the conversation must start with early childhood development.

By pairing her global platform with a masterclass in styling, Dakota Fanning continues to demonstrate how to use celebrity influence for meaningful change.

More Dakota & Elle Fanning Shoe Moments Worth Exploring

From bold red-carpet statements to refined press-tour elegance, Dakota and Elle Fanning’s footwear choices consistently underscore how designer heels—especially Christian Louboutin—can elevate both classic silhouettes and modern fashion risks.

To place this International Day of the Girl appearance within their broader style evolution, we’ve curated a selection of standout shoe and fashion moments that highlight their ongoing relationship with statement heels, architectural pumps, and red-carpet polish.