On May 7, 2016, Kate Mara attended The Humane Society of the United States’ “To The Rescue” Gala at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
Embracing a monochromatic aesthetic, the actress chose a vibrant red palette that balanced structured tailoring with playful footwear details.
Kate Mara attends The Humane Society of the United States “To The Rescue” Gala at Paramount Studios in Hollywood on May 7, 2016, pairing a structured red mini dress with sculptural Prada wavy-strap heels (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
Her choice for the evening was a sleeveless mini dress featuring intricate tonal embroidery across the bodice. The silhouette remained classic, with a hemline hitting just above the knee, allowing the focus to shift toward her choice of accessories.
Intricate tonal embellishments across the bodice add texture to the sleek silhouette, balancing the look’s bold monochrome palette
To maintain the clean lines of the look, she opted for minimal jewelry and a soft, half-up hairstyle that highlighted her natural features.
A softly swept-back hairstyle and natural makeup keep the focus on clean lines and the statement footwear below
She wore dark mascara, subtle smoky eyeshadow, and a swipe of pink lipstick.
The flared hemline subtly highlights her legs, creating a streamlined canvas for the striking red sandals
Kate grounded the monochrome moment with a pair of Prada’s sculptural “Wavy” triple-strap sandals—an instantly recognizable design from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2016 era.
Precision-cut with scalloped, wave-like edges, the three horizontal straps create a subtle sense of movement across the foot, elevating what would otherwise be a minimalist silhouette.
Prada’s signature wavy straps wrap fluidly across the foot, adding movement and a sculptural edge to the minimalist design
A closer look reveals the delicate scalloped edges and slender stiletto heel that define the sandal’s architectural appeal
Unlike traditional strappy heels, the pair is finished with a discreet back-zip closure, allowing the front to remain uninterrupted and architectural. Crafted in Italy from rich kid suede and lined in smooth leather, the sandals sit atop a slender 4.5-inch (115mm) stiletto heel, fully wrapped in matching material to preserve the look’s saturated, head-to-toe red impact.
At the time, Prada explored this wavy motif across multiple silhouettes—from d’Orsay flats to slingbacks—making these heels part of a broader design language rooted in geometric texture rather than overt branding. The result feels distinctly “quiet luxury” for its era: polished, graphic, and enduringly wearable well beyond the trend cycle.
The red suede finish enhances the saturated, head-to-toe color story while maintaining a refined, tactile softness
The same Prada silhouette appears in black, emphasizing its versatility and enduring appeal beyond bold monochrome styling
More Scalloped and Wavy Shoe Moments Worth Exploring
As this concludes our look at Kate Mara’s vivid Prada sandal moment, these related Your Next Shoes features widen the story through royal styling, red carpet dressing, crystal-trimmed Aquazzura heels, and other sculptural takes on scalloped and wave-edged footwear.
👠 Explore More Scalloped & Wavy Shoe Moments:
- 👑 Kate Middleton’s Berlin appearance in Prada scalloped sandals shows how the wave-edged silhouette can read polished and modern even within a refined royal wardrobe.
- 🖤 Diane Kruger’s Prada wavy-sandal feature is especially useful because it highlights multiple versions of the style, including plum, black, and slide interpretations of the same signature motif.
- ✨ Aquazzura’s Tequila sandals explainer broadens the story beyond Prada, showing how delicate scallop trim can feel crystal-studded, glamorous, and red-carpet ready.
- 🎬 Amanda Seyfried’s Astra Film Awards Aquazzura pumps offer a more understated take on the trend, with a scalloped topline translating the look into a sharp, pointed-toe pump.
- 💫 The Elton John Oscars party shoe roundup includes another strong Aquazzura reference, useful for readers who want to see how decorative, high-impact sandal details continue to perform on modern red carpets.