Kirsten Dunst’s Roger Vivier Obsession: From 1953 “Marlene” Heels to Oscar Night

Across two red-carpet moments six years apart, Kirsten Dunst returns to a quiet constant: Roger Vivier.

It’s a relationship that extends well beyond a single appearance. From her Critics’ Choice Awards win in bow-detailed Vivier pumps to later red-carpet moments styled with the house’s signature crystal-buckle heels, Dunst has consistently gravitated toward designs that balance restraint with ornament.

Whether hidden beneath couture layers or catching the light with sculptural precision, her footwear choices reveal a preference for heritage design that elevates—never competes with the look, but quietly defines it.

Hidden Elegance: Roger Vivier Heels Complete Vintage Lacroix Drama

The 94th Annual Academy Awards marked a rare and significant milestone for Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons.

Arriving at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, the couple celebrated their first Oscar nominations together, both recognized for their supporting roles in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog. Having met on the set of Fargo in 2016, the pair’s appearance in Los Angeles marked the culmination of their shared professional and personal journey.

Kirsten Dunst in a red vintage Christian LaCroix dress from Lily et Cie with her husband Jesse Plemons at the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California (Credit: Abby Grant / Cover Images / InstarImages)

For the occasion, Kirsten Dunst leaned into timeless elegance, selecting a vintage Christian Lacroix gown sourced from the Lily et Cie archives.

The strapless red tulle silhouette delivered classic couture drama, balanced by Fred Leighton diamond earrings and an understated updo that kept the focus on the gown’s sculptural volume.

Beneath the sweeping layers, she completed the look with Roger Vivier heels—a subtle but considered choice. Though largely concealed, the selection of Vivier, a house synonymous with French couture heritage, echoed the archival Lacroix aesthetic and reinforced her instinct for pieces that transcend trend cycles.

Kirsten Dunst styled her red dress with Fred Leighton Marquise and baguette diamond earrings by Sterle Paris (Credit: Abby Grant / Cover Images / InstarImages)

This preference for structured elegance was equally evident during the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2016, where her choice of footwear became a focal point for observers of her authentic style.

Sculptural Glamour: Roger Vivier “Marlene” Pumps Ground Givenchy Couture

Kirsten Dunst coordinated with Fred Leighton antique cut pear-shaped diamond earrings (Credit: WENN)

Like we’ve said over and over again, the Emmys are a time for celebrities to bring their fashion A-game.

It can be a challenge, and at times stars make bold choices that are wrong, like Sarah Hyland and her pantsuit. However, sometimes they make the right ones – like Kirsten Dunst at the 2016 Emmy Awards.

Kirsten’s style was on point at the amFAR Gala and the CFDA Awards. We were really glad to see that the Emmys were no exception for the actress.

Kirsten Dunst was nominated at the 2016 Emmy Awards but lost out to Sarah Paulson for her work in American Crime Story (Credit: WENN)

Kirsten looked stunning in a Givenchy Couture Fall 2016 beaded dress that featured a very low, plunging neckline.

The Interview with the Vampire star grounded her embellished gown with Roger Vivier’s “Marlene” double-strap pumps—an inspired choice that carried far more history than their fleeting red-carpet reveal suggested.

Kirsten Dunst offsets the sheer, intricately beaded drama of her Givenchy Couture gown with sleek Roger Vivier heels (Credit: WENN)

Part of the house’s Marlene line, the silhouette pays homage to Marlene Dietrich, one of the Maison’s most enduring muses and a woman whose exacting standards shaped some of Vivier’s most iconic designs.

The modern interpretation traces back to a 1953 commission for Dietrich: a sleek satin shoe anchored by the now-signature boule heel—a crystal-embellished sphere that transforms the stiletto into a piece of jewelry.

Kirsten Dunst in a black sheer sleeveless dress with bead and leather embellishments (Credit: WENN)

Here, the effect is both subtle and striking. The streamlined upper allows the sculptural heel to do the talking, delivering a flash of high-glamour brilliance that mirrors Dietrich’s signature masculine-feminine tension—tailored, controlled, and then suddenly, unapologetically radiant.

Kirsten Dunst in a Givenchy Couture gown for the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 18, 2016, at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles (Credit: FayesVision/ Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Since both her dress and shoes already shimmered, the actress accessorized with just a pair of simple earrings. Her hair was styled in sultry waves, and her makeup was light except for her dark lips.

Kirsten Dunst gives a closer look at Roger Vivier’s “Marlene” sandals, where minimalist black straps frame the foot while the signature crystal boule heel delivers a flash of sculptural, jewelry-like brilliance (Credit: WENN)

Roger Vivier’s Quiet Red-Carpet Power Still Resonates

Taken together, these two Kirsten Dunst looks show why Roger Vivier remains such a compelling red-carpet choice: the shoes never overwhelm the outfit, but they sharpen it with polish, history, and just enough glamour.

From the jeweled allure of the Marlene heels at the Emmys to the understated sophistication of her Oscars pair, the house’s couture-minded approach makes it a natural fit for women who dress with intention.

For more examples of how Roger Vivier continues to shape standout celebrity style, explore the stories below.