Keke Palmer has been killing it with her stylish looks lately, and her recent appearance at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards was no exception. She looked stunning in a gorgeous long black dress paired with striking red heels by Balmain, which was a perfect choice for the night, as she was honored with The Spirit Award.
💫 Jump to a Look:
The accolade recognizes those who embody “pride and inspiration through their contributions to the entertainment and social communities.” Keke is undoubtedly a shining example of this.
The event came on the heels of promoting her new album, Just Keke! Before receiving her award, Palmer was pictured outside The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon studio, embracing a more playful look in a Y2K-inspired bright orange dress and metallic gold heels!
Keke Palmer wows in a black face motif dress with red 3D lip heels by Balmain at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards 2025 and in an orange Versace mini dress with gold Rene Caovilla sandals outside The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon studio for her Just Keke album promotion (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images / Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Her style is always on point, making a statement wherever she goes!
Balmain Drama: Keke Palmer Turns Heads in Face-Motif Gown and Lip-Accent Heels
Keke Palmer certainly made an impact at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards with her unique and stunning outfit choice, adding a whimsical touch to the red carpet.
Palmer’s Balmain dress was a work of art, with intricate bead, sequin, and crystal embellishments forming a face motif that was simply breathtaking. Not only was the design incredible, but the attention to detail was equally impressive. The eye, nose, and lip design was meticulously crafted to mimic the facial features flawlessly.
The long, slim-fit maxi dress was trimmed with white pearls that ran from the halter neckline to the thigh-high slit, enhancing its grandeur. I love how it emphasized the face motif while highlighting and elongating Palmer’s stature!
It’s a gorgeous dress, but with a price tag of $9,729 at Farfetch, it’s definitely not for everyone. Nonetheless, if you have the budget for a statement piece that will turn heads, this dress could be the perfect choice for a special occasion!
Keke Palmer looks sleek and sophisticated in a long black halter dress by Balmain featuring a face motif made of crystals, sequins, and pearls (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
The dress is already stunning, but Keke took things to the next level with her jewelry choices. Her long chandelier earrings, featuring graduated clear crystals, were chic, and the three chunky rings that matched her dress were a subtle and elegant detail that added extra sparkle to her look.
Keke nailed it with her hair and makeup! I love that she styled her orange tresses straight, adding a touch of simplicity and sophistication, making the dress stand out even more. And the smoky eye and bold red lip were the cherry on top, adding a touch of drama and glamour.
Her dress and glam complemented her red stilettos, the perfect finishing touch to her impressive look.
Keke Palmer pairs her long black dress with red stilettos by Balmain featuring a 3D lip accent (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
She wore the Balmain Lips sandals in striking red suede. The front straps featured a 3D lip in lacquered brass, adding an extra touch of whimsy. The T-strap and ankle strap with adjustable buckle fastening made the shoes even more stylish, while the 3.7-inch stiletto heels boosted her 5’4” height and confidence.
These sandals are selling for $1,136 (from $1,250) at Farfetch.
👗 Celebrities in Balmain Spotlight:
- ✨ Zendaya stunned in a wet‑look leather Balmain gown at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Dune, paired with nude Louboutin pumps for maximum red‑carpet impact.
- 💥 Cynthia Erivo embraced fruity opulence in a grape‑printed Balmain gown at the 2024 Gold Gala, completing the look with towering heels.
- 🌟 Elle Fanning channeled Sleeping Beauty in a transparent ice‑themed Balmain gown at the 2024 Met Gala.
- 👑 Kim Kardashian arrived at LAX in head‑to‑toe Balmain after a weekend with Olivier Rousteing, showcasing the power of Rousteing’s signature pieces.
- 🔥 Demi Moore dazzled in a swan‑inspired sequined Balmain gown for the series premiere of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.
- 👠 Beyoncé radiated in a gold Balmain gown at the Mufasa: The Lion King premiere, paired with Jimmy Choo pumps.
📌 Brand Highlights:
- 💼 Discover the latest Balmain collections at Mytheresa—a go‑to for their most current runway and ready‑to‑wear styles.
- 🎨 Since Pierre Balmain founded the house in 1945, the brand has championed femininity and opulence, dressing icons worldwide. Olivier Rousteing—appointed Creative Director in 2011—has since infused the brand with modern, confident glamour, shaping a “Balmain army” of empowered women.
- 💬 Olivier’s own ethos? He defines a dress code of sharp blazers, figure‑hugging mini dresses, and unapologetic elegance—an unmistakable signature.
Y2K Revival: Keke Palmer Glows in Archival Versace Mini and Rene Caovilla Star Heels
Before attending the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards, Keke Palmer embraced a more playful look while appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
She was hard to ignore in her flirty orange mini dress sourced from Atelier Versace’s Spring 2002 archives. The dress was heavily embellished with crystals and sequins, which some might think is overkill, but the way the lights caught the beadwork made it look like flickering flames, adding a touch of drama to her look. I thought it was the perfect choice for promoting her new album, Just Keke!
The silhouette fit Keke Palmer’s figure perfectly, adding an elegant touch with a low-cut square neckline and embellished shoulder straps. It was fitted up top, accentuating her figure, and then flared out gracefully towards the bottom, creating a fiery, flame-like ruffled skirt that added a sense of movement to the design.
Keke Palmer promotes her new album Just Keke in an archival heavily-embellished orange mini dress by Versace at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
I commend Keke for wearing simple accessories to let her dress take center stage. She wore just a pair of diamond stud earrings and a few rings for extra sparkle.
I also love how her hair and makeup complemented her look. The glittery orange eyeshadow, long fluttery eyelashes, and peachy-brown lip color all added a touch of glamour. And those gorgeous orange waves cascading down her back pulled it all together.
Keke Palmer finished her impressive look with a pair of metallic gold sandals by Rene Caovilla. She wore the iconic “Cleo” style, featuring a crystal-embellished strap across the toes and vamp and snake straps winding up her ankles.
Tyla recently wore the Cleo sandals in green with her tropical-inspired ensemble at the Kids’ Choice Awards 2025, while Khadeen Indréa wore a pair in black with an avant-garde Le Thanh Hoa mini dress at the BET Awards.
Keke Palmer completes her vibrant look with metallic gold embellished sandals by Rene Caovilla adorned with crystal stars (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Keke’s version had a unique touch. The straps featured star appliques, which sparkled even more under the lights. Plus, the stiletto heels were an impressive 4.25 inches tall, making her even taller and more captivating.
They can be yours for $2,010 at Neiman Marcus.
👠 Explore Keke Palmer’s Boldest Shoe Moments:
- 📌 Radiant in Gold Leaf Heels and an Ocean Blue Dior Masterpiece – Featuring Gianvito Rossi “Flavia” sandals during her One of Them Days promo tour.
- 📌 Preppy Elegance with Tom Ford Boots and Schiaparelli Tartan Charm – Rocking Tom Ford knee-high boots for a sophisticated winter look.
- 📌 Keke Palmer Glows in Femme LA Pumps & Archival Chanel Mini Dress – A standout moment from the BET Awards 2025 red carpet.
- 📌 Metallic Sergio Hudson Glam at the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala – Styled with luxe gold pumps and red carpet confidence.