On May 31, 2013, Emma Roberts joined a Chanel-hosted benefit for the NRDC in Los Angeles, wearing a look that remains a reference point for balancing classic house codes with a modern, architectural edge.
Emma Roberts keeps the look clean and modern in a sleeveless textured white Chanel dress, letting the graphic accessories subtly sharpen the minimalist silhouette at Chanel’s benefit dinner for the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Ocean Initiative in Los Angeles on May 31, 2013 (Credit: Daniel Tanner / WENN)
Opting for a head-to-toe look from Chanel’s Spring 2013 “Wind Farm” collection under Karl Lagerfeld, Roberts grounded the season’s airy, future-facing vision in reality, pairing a textured white knit dress with a sharply structured, quilted clutch that echoed the collection’s graphic, high-concept accessories—from its now-iconic “Lego” minaudières to its architectural, cubist lines.
Her Chanel color-block Mary Jane booties anchor the outfit with bold contrast, featuring black cap toes, sculptural heels, and triple buckle straps that add structure
The focal point of the outfit was her choice of footwear: a pair of triple-strapped, color-blocked booties. While Chanel is synonymous with the traditional cap-toe slingback, these heels offered a more utilitarian interpretation.
A front view highlights the shoes’ architectural strap placement, drawing the eye down the foot while elongating her legs with a precise, tailored fit
Constructed from soft lambskin, the shoes utilize a neutral palette that feels surprisingly contemporary years later. They feature a predominantly tan body anchored by black toe caps and contrasting black-and-white heel panels.
From the side, the angular paneling and stacked heel reveal the design’s cubist influence, balancing softness with sharp, graphic lines
The industrial feel of the triple-buckled straps provides a sharp counterpoint to the soft knit of her dress, illustrating how a structured shoe can ground a tonal ensemble.
A clean product shot showcases the full design: supple tan leather, crisp white straps, and Chanel’s iconic black toe cap reimagined in a modern, color-blocked composition
Why Chanel’s Spring 2013 Footwear Still Feels Strikingly Modern
More than a decade later, this look captures a pivotal moment when Chanel—under Karl Lagerfeld—pushed beyond its classic codes and into something sharper, more architectural.
Emma Roberts’ triple-strap booties embody that shift, balancing softness with structure in a way that still resonates with today’s preference for clean lines, modular styling, and statement footwear that anchors an otherwise minimal look.
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