In September 2017, Kaia Gerber stepped out in Paris during Fashion Week wearing a sharply styled look built around velvet Mary Jane pumps from The Kooples.
At just 16, the model was already balancing her growing runway schedule with the polished off-duty style that would soon define much of her early fashion career.
Kaia Gerber layered a sheer ribbed mock-neck top with sharply striped The Kooples trousers for a polished Paris Fashion Week street-style moment on September 26, 2017 (Credit: WENN)
Fresh from her breakout runway appearances during Paris Fashion Week, including walking for Chanel under Karl Lagerfeld, Kaia leaned into the edgy Parisian aesthetic that defined much of 2017 fashion.
Her sheer ribbed bodysuit featured a high-cut, hip-baring silhouette designed to sit visibly above the waistband of her striped The Kooples trousers — a styling trick that became a major trend during the late-2010s model-off-duty era. The velvet Mary Jane heels softened the sharp tailoring while reinforcing the retro French-girl mood that brands like The Kooples were pushing at the time.
The Kooples’ velvet Mary Jane pumps stood out for their crystal-embellished buckles, rounded toe shape, and sculptural flared block heels. The design echoed the polished femininity associated with Roger Vivier and Manolo Blahnik, but the chunkier heel made them feel younger and more practical for a 16-year-old model running between castings, fittings, and runway appearances during Fashion Week.
Kaia Gerber grounded her cropped red-and-black striped pants with vintage-inspired velvet Mary Jane heels from The Kooples
The outfit also captured a turning point in Kaia Gerber’s early career. September 2017 marked her first major runway season, and her off-duty style quickly became just as influential as her catwalk appearances.
Rather than dressing like a traditional celebrity teenager, Kaia embraced the sharp tailoring, tiny, structured bags, and retro-inspired heels that dominated Paris street style at the time — positioning herself alongside established “It-girl” models like Gigi and Bella Hadid.
Kaia Gerber’s black velvet pumps featured triple ankle straps and crystal-trimmed buckles that added a refined retro finish to the look
Rather than relying on comparisons to her mother, Cindy Crawford, she was beginning to establish her own fashion identity through runway bookings, editorial work, and carefully styled streetwear moments that blended model-off-duty ease with luxury fashion staples.
Kaia Gerber balanced the bold graphic trousers with sleek black separates and softly waved hair while arriving in Paris during Fashion Week
Kaia completed the look with Stalvey’s structured “Janice” mini tote, one of the most coveted “It-girl” bags of 2017.
The sharply boxy silhouette became a favorite among models like Gigi and Bella Hadid during the rise of ultra-mini luxury handbags, reinforcing the polished downtown aesthetic Kaia was beginning to make her own.
Kaia Gerber paused to take a selfie with a fan, revealing the sculptural block heels and elegant strap detailing of her velvet pumps
During Paris Fashion Week, Kaia was photographed visiting Chanel between runway appearances and fittings.
The Kooples’ black velvet Mary Jane pumps combined rounded toes, chunky heels, and crystal-accented buckles for a modern take on a classic silhouette
Why Kaia Gerber’s Velvet Mary Jane Look Still Feels Relevant
The outfit still works years later because the footwear trend never fully disappeared. Velvet Mary Janes and multi-strap pumps have returned in recent seasons through brands like Carel and Nodaleto, both of which reinterpret the same retro Parisian silhouette with chunky heels and polished strap details.
While the visible high-cut bodysuit feels distinctly 2017, the striped trousers and velvet heels remain surprisingly wearable today. A modern version of Kaia’s look could easily swap the bodysuit for an oversized white button-down or slim knit while keeping the vintage-inspired pumps as the focal point.
👠 Explore Kaia Gerber & Mary Jane Shoe Moments:
- 📏 Kaia Gerber’s height and shoe profile traces how the model uses heels from Jimmy Choo, Sergio Rossi, Gianvito Rossi, Celine, The Kooples, and Versace to sharpen her runway-to-street style.
- 🖤 Her Jimmy Choo Minny sandal moment shows how barely-there black suede heels can support an intricate Alexander McQueen look without competing with it.
- ✨ Kaia’s Sergio Rossi “Sr1” silver sandals brought a cool metallic finish to her white Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini dress at the Daily Front Row Fashion Media Awards.
- 👠 The history of Mary Jane shoes explains why the strap-front silhouette remains one of fashion’s most enduring classics, from schoolgirl flats to polished heels.
- 💎 Sarah Jessica Parker’s glitter Mary Jane pumps show how the style can feel playful, dressed-up, and still easy with cropped denim.
- 🪩 Meghan Trainor’s Gucci glitter Mary Janes lean into sparkle with crystal straps and pink outsoles for a high-shine take on the classic pump.