Back in May 2015, Janelle Monáe brought her signature black-and-white drama to the MOCA Gala, stepping onto the orange carpet in one of her most memorable early-era looks.
Janelle Monáe elevates her signature monochrome aesthetic with bold red lipstick, sculptural hair, and sparkling AS29 “Bamboo” earrings in Los Angeles on May 20, 2015 (Credit: WENN / Brian To / FayesVision / Guillermo Proano)
Janelle Monáe’s Monochrome Cape Dress and Fringe Sandals at MOCA
Attending the Louis Vuitton–presented event at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles, she paired her embroidered Sass & Bide cape dress with fringe-trimmed Stuart Weitzman sandals—an outfit that still stands for its bold, architectural polish.
Monáe commands the orange carpet in an embroidered Sass & Bide cape dress styled with a sleek black hat, stacked rings, and fringe-detailed Stuart Weitzman heels
The then-29-year-old American singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer came dressed in an embroidered Sass & Bide caped frock and accessorized with AS29 “Bamboo” long earrings, rows of rings, a statement hat, and a spirited Emm Kuo clutch.
Her silver manicure and stacked statement rings perfectly complement a geometric black-and-gold Emm Kuo clutch
Janelle Monáe Steps Out in Stuart Weitzman’s Fringe-Trimmed Lovefringe Sandals
She finished the look with Stuart Weitzman’s fringe-trimmed Lovefringe ankle-strap sandals, a boho-chic silhouette that captured two of 2015’s biggest trends—swaying fringe and plush suede—blending them into a flirty, vintage-tinged statement.
The suede Stuart Weitzman Lovefringe sandals add texture and movement with their dramatic swaying ankle fringe
More Celebrity Fringe-Heel Moments
If you love the playful movement and vintage flair of Monáe’s Lovefringe sandals, these standout fringe-heel looks from other celebrities offer even more styling inspiration.
👠 Explore Fringe Shoes & Heels Highlights:
- 📌 The Ultimate Guide to Fringe Shoes: Styles, History & Celeb Looks — a comprehensive trend piece on fringe footwear.
- 📌 Kate Hudson Channels Her Inner Rockstar in a Black Sequin Fringe Outfit and Crystal Heels — features fringe fashion and standout heels.
- 📌 Dazzling Drama: The B Brian Atwood ‘Cassiane’ Heels Celebs Can’t Resist — fringe-detailed sandal deep dive.
- 📌 Suki Waterhouse’s Burberry Fringe Boots & Cleavage — fringe boots featured at London Fashion Week.
- 📌 Ashanti Turns Heads in Sergio Rossi “Tawaraya” Sandals — tiered-fringe sandal detail plus red-carpet styling.
- 📌 Kylie Minogue Runs Errands in Goat Hair Fringe Palais Mohawk Shoes — fringe-accented pumps in street-style mode.
- 📌 Jada Pinkett Smith in Proenza Schouler Dress and Alaïa Fringed Sandals — suede fringe heels and sleek styling.
- 📌 Rachel Bilson Embraces Her OC Roots in Fringe Sandals — boho-inspired look featuring fringe heels.
A second look at the Lovefringe heels highlights their soft suede construction and fluid, ankle-trimming fringe
From the side, the Lovefringe’s slender strap and high stiletto heel balance the bold fringe for a modern boho statement
Nearly a decade later, Monáe would take this love of sculptural fashion to new extremes.
Janelle Monáe’s 2023 Met Gala Transformation: Sculptural Thom Browne Couture
Before stepping into her dramatic 2023 runway-to-red-carpet transformation, she arrived in one of the night’s most architecturally ambitious ensembles—an avant-garde Thom Browne creation built on layers of texture, humor, and couture engineering.
Janelle Monáe commands attention in an over-the-top black-and-white Thom Browne tuxedo-coat ensemble, revealing a sculptural tulle pannier and finishing the look with the brand’s space-inspired Astronaut Boots at the 2023 Met Gala on May 1, 2023, in New York City (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Explore More of Janelle Monáe’s Style Evolution
If you’re in the mood for more of Monáe’s standout footwear and red-carpet moments, here are some of her best fashion highlights across the years.
👠 Explore Janelle Monáe’s Best Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 📏 Janelle Monáe’s Height & Shoe Size: How She Elevates Her 5 ft 0 Frame With High Heels — a deep dive into how she uses footwear to enhance her stature.
- 👗 Janelle Monáe’s Red-Carpet Evolution: From Ralph Lauren Crystals to Louboutin Fringe Boots — a retrospective of her red-carpet shoe and designer fashion moments.
- ✨ Janelle Monáe’s Monochrome Magic: How She Made Petite Look Powerful at the Spirit Awards — includes her Christian Louboutin and Salvatore Ferragamo footwear picks.
- 🥿 Channel Your Inner Janelle Monáe With Daniele Michetti Heels — focuses on a standout pair of fringe-detailed sandals she wore at the American Music Awards.
- 🔥 Janelle Monáe Ditches Her Signature Style for Bold Schutz “Jolana” Booties — explores a departure into a bootie silhouette and bold pattern styling.
- 💼 Janelle Monáe Flashes Bra & Stuns in Robert Clergerie x Self Portrait “Kibbon” Boots — a daring look featuring peacock-blue boots and unexpected styling.
- 🔍 Chappell Roan & Janelle Monáe Bring Avant-Garde Glam to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — shows Monáe’s platform oxfords and dramatic tailoring in a footwear-rich recap.
- 🧮 Janelle Monáe’s $12 Million Legacy: A Visionary’s Path from Humble Roots to Stardom — touches on her fashion, shoe choices and overall branding evolution.