DKNY Turns 25: Rita Ora’s Louboutin Artifice Heels Lead a Night of Iconic Shoe Moments

In September 2013, Donna Karan New York (DKNY) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a star-studded event in New York City.

The milestone party drew an A-list crowd, and true to DKNY’s legacy of mixing sporty edge with downtown glamour, the celebrity guests didn’t hold back. From head-turning runway pieces to sky-high designer heels, the night was as much a showcase of fashion history as it was a birthday celebration.

Rita Ora in Bandana DKNY Ensemble & Christian Louboutin Artifice Heels

Rita Ora picked up her paisley bandana-print look straight from the DKNY Spring 2014 runway, pairing a cropped top and matching shorts with a white jersey blazer stamped with the number “25” across the back. With her cool-girl edge firmly in place, she topped off the sporty ensemble with an embellished baseball cap.

Rita Ora rocked a DKNY Spring 2014 bandana-print playsuit with a white “25” blazer, topping it off with studded black Christian Louboutin Artifice heels at DKNY’s 25th Birthday Party in New York on September 9, 2013 (Credit: C. Smith / SIPA / WENN)

Instead of keeping the theme head-to-toe DKNY, Rita made a daring pivot with her footwear: studded black Christian Louboutin Artifice heels. More a concept shoe than a practical pump, the Artifice is defined by its exaggerated, needle-thin stiletto that forces the wearer to balance en pointe like a ballerina.

Rita Ora’s studded Christian Louboutin Artifice pumps added a daring, fetish-inspired edge to her DKNY anniversary look

The extreme construction exposes the underside of the shoe and creates the illusion of endlessly long legs, giving the design its reputation as a “fetish” style.

On Rita, the effect was electrifying—her platinum crop, lavender eye shadow, and cherry-red lips only amped up the drama of this game-changing look.

A model walked the DKNY Spring 2014 runway in a paisley-print playsuit and crisp white blazer, styled with matching ankle-strap pumps

Joan Smalls in Sports-Bra & Mesh Skirt With Bandana-Print DKNY Pumps

Joan Smalls turned heads in a custom DKNY creation that fused athletic edge with high-fashion allure.

The model’s look centered on a cropped sports bra and black boy shorts, layered beneath a daringly sheer, floor-length mesh skirt that left little to the imagination.

At just 25, Joan had already cemented her status as a runway powerhouse, and this bold mix proved why.

Joan Smalls turned heads in a custom DKNY sports bra and mesh maxi skirt, finished with monochrome ankle-strap pumps

Her footwear stayed hidden for most of the night, but a closer glimpse revealed pointy DKNY pumps finished with thin ankle straps and wrapped in the same bandana-inspired monochrome print Rita Ora had worn.

The cohesive detailing tied her ensemble back to the runway while still allowing Joan to exude her signature sporty-sexy confidence. Few could have pulled off this no-holds-barred party look with such effortless cool.

Joan Smalls wore bandana-print DKNY ankle-strap pumps, straight from the Spring 2014 runway

Karlie Kloss in Blue Pleated Skater Dress & DKNY Zip-Front Booties

Karlie Kloss embraced head-to-toe DKNY for the anniversary celebration, proving why she remains one of the label’s most effortless muses. The statuesque model stepped out in a deep cerulean pleated skater dress, edged with sleek black side panels that highlighted her long frame.

Karlie Kloss stunned in a cobalt skater dress edged in black, paired with sporty zip-front DKNY booties from Spring 2014

On her feet, Karlie towered even higher in bold blue-and-white booties straight from DKNY’s Spring 2014 collection. With chunky heels, peekaboo cutouts, and edgy zip accents, the sporty silhouette brought a playful, downtown-cool twist to her otherwise classic party dress.

While a safer pump might have sufficed, Karlie doubled down on DKNY’s urban spirit, letting her quirky zippered heels steal the spotlight in a way only a supermodel could pull off.

DKNY’s Spring 2014 collection showcased zip-front, peep-toe booties in bold red neoprene with chunky heels

Emmy Rossum in Gold DKNY Slip Dress & Christian Louboutin So Kate Pumps

Emmy Rossum lit up the celebration in a liquid-gold DKNY slip dress, its slender straps and black back detailing skimming her figure with understated allure.

Channeling old-Hollywood elegance, the actress kept her styling minimal yet impactful—a metallic clutch in hand, hair slicked back to a glossy finish, and a confident red-carpet glow.

Emmy Rossum shimmered in a gold DKNY sheath with sleek black detailing, styled with classic black patent Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps

On her feet, Emmy opted for Christian Louboutin’s iconic So Kate pumps in classic black patent leather. Famous for their razor-sharp point and impossibly high heel, the So Kate had become the era’s go-to shoe for A-listers, spotted in countless shades and textures.

Emmy’s choice to keep it timeless in black only heightened the Midas-touch effect of her gilded dress, proving that sometimes the most striking statement comes from mastering the classics.

From Rita’s avant-garde Artifice heels to Emmy’s timeless So Kate pumps, DKNY’s 25th anniversary proved just how much star power a pair of Louboutins can command. For more inspiration, here are some of the most unforgettable So Kate moments we’ve featured on Your Next Shoes: