How Kerry Washington and Priyanka Chopra Styled Louboutins at the ABC Upfronts

When Kerry Washington and Priyanka Chopra shared the red carpet at the ABC Upfront presentation on May 12, 2015, in New York City, it was a high-profile study in contrasting silhouettes.

Kerry Washington’s radiant close-up highlights her soft waves, glowing skin, and warm-toned makeup, perfectly complementing her understated yet polished red carpet look

While the event at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall served to promote their respective hit series, the fashion choices provided a lasting look at how footwear can define—or detract from—a bold red-carpet ensemble.

The Scandal star stepped out in a strapless beaded jumpsuit from the Alice + Olivia Fall 2015 collection. While the intricate beadwork was a standout, the proportions of the look were heavily influenced by her choice of Christian Louboutin pumps.

With luminous makeup and subtle gold accents, Kerry Washington balances elegance and modern edge in a beauty look that mirrors the sophistication of her outfit

Although the jumpsuit offered a modern edge, the fit of the trousers proved tricky to pair. This was further complicated by the shoe selection, which arguably anchored the look in a specific era rather than elevating it to a timeless status.

In contrast, Priyanka Chopra opted for a sleeker aesthetic in a body-con Alexander Wang dress and classic Christian Louboutin shoes.

Kerry Washington and Priyanka Chopra share a playful red carpet moment, showcasing two distinct styling approaches—Kerry’s textured monochrome versus Priyanka’s bold, streamlined blue ensemble at the 2015 ABC Upfront presentation at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in New York City on May 12, 2015 (Credit: WENN / Joel Ginsburg / Ivan Nikolov)

Kerry completed her look with smooth leather Christian Louboutin “Dictata” ankle-strap pumps ($1,195) from the Spring 2015 collection.

Defined by their sculptural V-shaped vamp and covered 100mm heels, the design has also been spotted on models like Gigi Hadid, who used the same style to elongate her legs at the 2015 MMVAs—a reminder that while the silhouette can create a sleek, leg-lengthening effect, it can just as easily disrupt proportions depending on the outfit.

Christian Louboutin “Dictata” cutout leather pumps in black, featuring a sculptural V-shaped vamp, gold ankle strap, and signature red sole, set on a sleek 100mm heel

How Christian Louboutin Shoes Continue to Shape Kerry Washington’s Red Carpet Identity

From sculptural ankle-strap pumps to sleek pointed-toe silhouettes, Kerry Washington’s long-standing relationship with Christian Louboutin reveals a consistent styling philosophy: using footwear to either anchor a bold look or refine it into something sharper and more cohesive.

While her 2015 ABC Upfront appearance showed how even a striking pair like the “Dictata” pumps can challenge proportions when paired with intricate tailoring, her broader style history proves just how effectively she can harness Louboutin’s signature lines to elongate, define, and elevate her outfits.

To see how her approach to red-soled heels has evolved across different events, fabrics, and silhouettes, explore some of her most memorable Christian Louboutin moments below.