Inside Keke Palmer’s Most Stunning Maternity Looks: Michael Kors Sequins, Carolina Herrera Florals & Louboutin Heels

Keke Palmer welcomed her first child, Leodis “Leo” Andrellton Jackson, on February 25, 2023, sharing the news shortly after with a series of tender photos and videos from her earliest days of motherhood.

In her announcement, Palmer revealed her son’s full name—including the nod to his Black History Month birth—and reflected on the meaning the moment held for her. She also referenced the El DeBarge song “Someone,” a track that had been on the playlists her then-partner, Darius Jackson, made for her when they first started dating, noting how life had come full circle.

Fans quickly embraced the update, and it wasn’t long before Palmer’s pregnancy became intertwined with her evolving sense of red-carpet style. Throughout her maternity journey, she demonstrated the same expressive, high-fashion confidence that has long made her a standout in Hollywood—only now with a spotlight on glamour that celebrated her growing silhouette.

Keke Palmer’s Silver Maternity Gown at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards

That spirit was beautifully captured at the 2023 New York Film Critics Circle Awards, where Palmer debuted one of her most memorable maternity looks to date: a shimmering silver floral lace gown from Michael Kors Collection.

It marked her first major red-carpet appearance since publicly sharing her pregnancy, signaling a new chapter in her style evolution.

Keke Palmer wore a silver floral lace gown created by Michael Kors, hand-embroidered with recycled sequins in seven different shapes and sizes to catch the light from all angles (Credit: Marion Curtis / StarPix for NYFCCA / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)

Inside the Michael Kors Couture Details: Sequins, Silhouette, and Maternity Styling

Hand-embroidered with recycled sequins in a range of shapes and sizes, the gown combined a plunging neckline with delicate spaghetti straps and a bump-highlighting fit that caught the light from every direction.

She finished the look with gold Lorraine West jewelry—an elegant choker, statement earrings, and stacked rings—curated by her longtime styling duo, Wayman Deon and Micah McDonald.

With the gown’s sweeping hemline and heavy embellishment commanding the full visual spotlight, her footwear remained largely hidden.

Still, given the metallic palette and gold accents, she most likely chose a sleek silver or gold strappy sandal or a minimalist pump. This understated choice would complement the gown’s luminosity without competing with it.

Keke Palmer debuted her maternity style on the red carpet at the 2023 New York Film Critics Circle Awards at TAO Downtown on January 4, 2023, in New York City, where she won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Nope (Credit: Dave Allocca / StarPix / Startraksph / Cover Images)

Keke Palmer also gave fans a playful glimpse into early motherhood, sharing sweet photos of baby Leo—including close-ups of his newborn features—and joking that she wasn’t “hiding her son from the world,” teasing her followers as she posted his face across multiple slides.

Her pregnancy reveal had been just as memorable. During her Saturday Night Live hosting debut, Palmer confirmed the news with characteristic humor, unbuttoning her blazer mid-monologue to reveal her baby bump after weeks of speculation.

She laughed about trying to keep the secret quiet—joking about sponsorships on the line—and later thanked the SNL team, her family, and her partner for their support during a whirlwind year.

Although Palmer kept much of her relationship with Darius Jackson private, she did share a glimpse of her “Once Upon a Time”–themed baby shower, which captured her love of storytelling and bold visual style. That same expressive sensibility carried into her red-carpet fashion throughout her pregnancy, culminating in one of her standout pre-baby looks at the 2022 CFDA Fashion Awards.

Keke Palmer’s Carolina Herrera “Secret Garden” Gown at the 2022 CFDA Fashion Awards

Keke Palmer’s appearance at the CFDA Fashion Awards became one of the evening’s standout fashion moments, thanks to a striking Carolina Herrera design by Creative Director Wes Gordon. Drawn from the label’s Spring 2023 “Secret Garden” collection, the gown featured an off-the-shoulder neckline, dramatic balloon sleeves, and a vivid floral print that played beautifully across its full, sculptural silhouette.

A coordinating belt cinched the waist, enhancing the romantic proportions and adding structure to the sweeping, garden-inspired look. Palmer accessorized with fine jewelry from Pasquale Bruni, including a statement necklace and matching earrings that brought a refined sparkle to the ensemble.

Her footwear choice elevated the look even further. Rather than opting for traditional heels, Palmer embraced a bold, editorial twist with knee-high boots crafted from the same floral fabric as the gown. The matching print created a seamless, head-to-toe moment that felt both whimsical and modern—perfectly blending Herrera’s romantic design with Palmer’s fearless, fashion-forward sensibility.

Keke Palmer glowed at the CFDA Fashion Awards in Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2023 “Secret Garden” gown, completing the romantic look with matching floral knee-high boots on November 7, 2022, in New York City (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

As Palmer looked ahead to motherhood, she spoke openly about her excitement, sharing that she “couldn’t wait to hold [her] little one” and was eager to meet the human she had helped create. That sense of anticipation and joy carried into her public appearances during this period, where her fashion choices reflected both confidence and a renewed creative energy.

Keke Palmer’s Avant-Garde Act N°1 Ensemble at the Academy Museum Gala

One of her most striking looks came at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala, where she embraced high-impact glamour in an avant-garde Act N°1 ensemble.

Styled by Law Roach, the dramatic black tailored base was enveloped in swirls of vivid blue tulle from the brand’s Fall 2022 Ready-to-Wear collection, creating a sculptural effect that moved beautifully on the carpet.

She finished the look with classic Christian Louboutin Iriza pumps, while her beauty team—Alexander Armand on hair and Mylah Morales on makeup—completed the bold, editorial statement.

Keke Palmer turned heads in a sculptural black-and-blue Act N°1 ensemble styled by Law Roach, grounding the look with sleek black pointed-toe pumps at the 2nd Annual Academy Museum Gala at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 15, 2022, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Explore More of Keke Palmer’s Most Iconic Shoe and Fashion Moments

As Keke Palmer’s style journey continues to evolve—from sculptural couture moments to bold maternity glamour—her fashion choices consistently showcase her fearless creativity and love of statement footwear.

Whether she’s turning heads in avant-garde tulle, embracing romantic florals, or pairing high-impact gowns with sleek designer heels, Palmer remains one of Hollywood’s most dynamic dressers.

To dive deeper into her standout looks across red carpets, press tours, and street-style moments, explore some of her most memorable fashion highlights on Your Next Shoes: