Inside Dove Cameron’s Style Transformation: From “Liv and Maddie” Sneakers to Iris van Herpen Couture

Dove Cameron has come a long way since her Disney Channel beginnings — both in her career and her evolving sense of style.

Standing 5 feet 2 inches (157.5 cm) tall and wearing a US size 6, the actress first captured audiences’ hearts at just 17 when Liv and Maddie premiered on July 19, 2013.

In the hit series, Dove pulled off the impressive feat of portraying two distinct characters — and their shoes played a surprisingly central role in defining who they were. As Maddie Rooney, the sporty twin, she embodied a down-to-earth, tomboyish vibe. A dedicated basketball player, Maddie was most at home in sneakers and high-tops, pairing them effortlessly with her laid-back, athletic wardrobe.

Meanwhile, Liv Rooney, the Hollywood twin, brought the opposite energy. A glamorous actress with a flair for fashion, Liv’s closet was filled with chic, feminine pieces — and her footwear was almost always elevated, from stylish pumps to what she famously called a “comfortable high heel.”

Dove Cameron channels her dual roles in Liv and Maddie—with Liv (left) in bright yellow wedge sandals and a polka-dot skirt, and Maddie (right) in black high-top sneakers and dotted jeans, perfectly capturing their contrasting shoe style (Credit: Disney)

The show even dedicated an entire episode to this playful contrast. In “Shoe-A-Rooney,” the twins’ clashing footwear preferences took center stage, cleverly highlighting how a simple pair of shoes could capture the essence of two very different personalities.

That early duality would go on to mirror Dove’s own transformation — from Disney’s bright-eyed ingénue to a daring red-carpet chameleon unafraid of bold cuts, sculptural silhouettes, and sky-high heels.

From Disney Darling to Daring Fashion Icon: Dove Cameron’s Billboard Transformation

By 2022, that evolution reached a new peak. At the Billboard Music Awards, Dove turned heads in a daring red Ashlyn gown and platform heels, signaling to the world that she had officially stepped into her next era — one defined by confidence, creativity, and fearless self-expression.

Dove Cameron commands attention in a daring red Ashlyn gown featuring sculptural cutouts and a tulle-and-mesh skirt, paired with black Giuseppe Zanotti platform heels at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022, in Las Vegas (Credit: Bauergriffin / Instarimages)

Fearless Fashion: Inside Dove Cameron’s Bold Cutout Gown and ‘ALCHEMICAL’ Tattoo Moment

While we’re no strangers to plunging necklines, Dove took the next level by showing off her torso with one of the most daring cut-outs of the night.

The barely-there top was balanced with a tulle-and-mesh skirt in contrasting red and nude fabrics. She also showed off the uppercase “ALCHEMICAL” tattoo on her left upper shoulder.

Dove Cameron has a tattoo with the word “ALCHEMICAL” in all caps on her upper left shoulder (Credit: Bauergriffin / Instarimages)

“When people say I am ‘turning bad,’ I just remind them I got my first tattoo when I was 14,” Dove told Refinery29 about her numerous tattoos in November 2019. She had her “ALCHEMICAL” tattoo inked in January 2021.

Dove Cameron had “ALCHEMICAL” inked on her upper left shoulder in January 2021 (Credit: Bauergriffin / Instarimages)

Modern Snow White Glamour: Dove Cameron Stuns in Giuseppe Zanotti Platforms

With a statement neckline, Dove Cameron channeled her inner Snow White with a deep middle-parting, leaving her neck bare by keeping her dark locks over her shoulders.

She kept her accessories minimal with her torso-revealing dress, black Giuseppe Zanotti platform heels, and winged liner.

Dove Cameron rocked a revealing Ashlyn gown with a plunging neckline and a sheer boned bustier (Credit: Bauergriffin / Instarimages)

👠 Explore Giuseppe Zanotti’s Celebrity Shoe Moments

From red-carpet premieres to front-row fashion week sightings, Giuseppe Zanotti’s signature blend of Italian craftsmanship and modern glamour continues to captivate stars around the world. Discover how Hollywood’s most stylish names wear his bold creations:

It’s safe to say Dove Cameron has fully embraced her darker, more daring era — channeling a touch of her Descendants alter ego with a red-carpet look worthy of a modern-day villainess. Fresh off the release of her hit single “Boyfriend,” she delivered a statement that went beyond fashion — it was transformation made visible.

Her striking Ashlyn gown wasn’t just another red-carpet moment; it marked a turning point. With its sculptural cutouts and fearless energy, the look symbolized Dove’s evolution from Disney darling to confident pop powerhouse — proving she’s rewriting her own fairytale on her own terms.

Cosmic Couture: Dove Cameron’s Iris van Herpen ‘Spiral Nebula’ Met Gala Masterpiece

Earlier that month, Dove made her Met Gala debut in a custom Iris van Herpen “Spiral Nebula” gown — a sculptural masterpiece inspired by the cosmic beauty of spiral galaxies. The avant-garde creation featured intricate, flowing lines that mimicked macrocosmic rivers of stars, forming a dramatic spheroid silhouette that seemed to orbit around her with every movement.

She completed the ethereal look with Le Silla “Belen” platform sandals, a Lillian Shalom Voltaire armor ring, and Sincelo lab-created diamond earrings, each piece contributing to the futuristic yet romantic vision. The result was a breathtaking fusion of art, science, and fashion — solidifying Dove Cameron as one of the Met Gala’s most unforgettable newcomers.

Dove Cameron made a breathtaking debut at the 2022 Met Gala in a custom Iris van Herpen “Spiral Nebula” gown that took over 600 hours to craft, pairing the sculptural creation with Le Silla Belen platform sandals, a Lillian Shalom Voltaire armor ring, and Sincelo lab-created diamond earrings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto)

👠 Explore Le Silla’s Celebrity Shoe Moments

Renowned for its sculptural silhouettes and daring Italian elegance, Le Silla has become a go-to label for stars seeking statement-making heels and boots. From red-carpet glamour to off-duty sophistication, here’s how Hollywood icons have styled the brand’s most striking creations:

Beyond the Spotlight: Dove Cameron Opens Up About Identity and Self-Acceptance

Just a few days after attending the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, Dove opened up on Instagram about her personal struggle dealing with depression and dysphoria.

“Identity vs. the self !!! depression & dysphoria. the self is someone I feel I have always deeply known, someone I deeply love and protect, like my own child, I know this self and we are very close,” Dove shared on Instagram. “For me, identity and the self have always been diametrically opposed, and there has only ever been room for one at a time to occupy my life.”

She added, “I have never been able to make them hold hands, and I realize as I get older, its because I hold a deep-seated belief that who I am is wrong, I am not allowed to be just as I am, I am not meant to be here. I feel I must be something else if I am going to be allowed to be here. and I really do wanna be here with you.”

Dove Cameron in a black Prada tube top paired with a high-waisted Saint Sintra skirt, opera-length Marc Jacobs leather gloves, and Amina Muaddi boots at the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Hilton Midtown on May 6, 2022, in New York City (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

“More days than not, I feel pulled towards no identity at all, I feel most natural as something imperceivable to myself, an energy and a presence,” Dove admitted.

“I don’t know if I will ever be able to live as this, if I will ever find a rhythm in this job where perception is one of the major cornerstones. so far, the self and the identity seem to harm each other, in my personal experience. I’m feeling it out. and if you are too, we can do it together. the longer I’m alive, the more I realize these inner dialogues are actually pretty universal.”

“❤️‍🩹all that I am truly clear on is that I’m interested in a life unburdened by myself. easier in theory than in practice, but we’re making room. ❤️‍🩹” Dove wrote. “I am beginning to have a hope that the public platform that has been difficult for me to learn to take up space as myself in, can actually be the conduit for change/mutual support/exploration/safety. there is room for us to talk about the things that terrify us/can’t be commoditized on a large scale, that can’t be commercialized and easily sound-bitten. maybe the spaces that are the least human can become the most human, if we want that, and we can all let each other take up a little more space. I love you.”

From Pop Powerhouse to Fashion Muse: Dove Cameron’s Style Evolution Continues

As Dove continues to redefine her image with every red-carpet appearance, her fearless approach to fashion proves she’s far more than a former Disney star — she’s a modern style icon in her own right. From avant-garde couture to sky-high designer heels, each look captures a new layer of her transformation. Explore more of her standout fashion and shoe moments below: