Kristen Stewart’s Style Transformation: Wearing Christian Louboutin Uptown Pumps at Cannes

Long-term style is about transformation, and few actors have navigated the shift from franchise star to high-fashion muse as seamlessly as Kristen Stewart.

At the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival in May 2016, Stewart arrived in France to promote Woody Allen’s Café Society, signaling a mature new era for both her acting career and her red-carpet identity.

Jesse Eisenberg as Bobby Dorfman and Kristen Stewart as Veronica “Vonnie” Sybil in the 2016 American romantic comedy-drama film Café Society (Credit: Amazon Studios / Lionsgate)

While Stewart has rarely had to audition for roles since her 2008 debut in the Twilight franchise, her casting as Vonnie in the 1930s-set romantic drama required a rare screen test to prove she could embody the film’s “light and poignant” energy.

Woody Allen and Kristen Stewart at the ‘Cafe Society’ premiere hosted by The Cinema Society and Amazon Studios on July 13, 2016. (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INFphoto)

Woody Allen cast Kristen Stewart primarily because he admired her performance in the 2009 American comedy-drama film Adventureland. He was allegedly completely unaware of her involvement in the Twilight (2008) franchise.

Jesse Eisenberg as James Brennan and Kristen Stewart as Em Lewin in the 2009 American comedy-drama film Adventureland (Credit: Cover Images / Miramax Films)

Allen told reporters at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, “I needed someone who could play an adorable little girl from Nebraska one second … and then later in the movie you see her in furs and jewels and she’s transformed herself [into] a sophisticated beauty in cosmopolitan Manhattan.”

“Kristen,” he added, “could do both.” When Café Society was theatrically released in the United States on July 15, 2016, Kristen Stewart was 26 years old. Her co-star, Jesse Eisenberg, was 32 years old.

Kristen Stewart shows off the dark roots of her blonde hair at the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival Opening Night Gala held on May 11, 2016, in Cannes, France (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / WENN)

This is the third time Stewart has starred alongside Jesse Eisenberg, the first being Adventureland.

Teresa Palmer’s lookalike divulged that she had “very strong feelings” about the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival. In May 2016, the Twilight actress shared her feelings on the red carpet at the photo call of “Café Society” in Cannes, France.

Earlier, the actress had mentioned that she had strong feelings about the festival in her stomach and her bones. She was quick to explain, however, that she was not nervous at all. She enthusiastically affirmed to her friend that she was OK on the morning of the photo call.

Kristen Stewart completes her daring sheer Chanel ensemble with sleek black Christian Louboutin Uptown pumps, the sharp pointed-toe silhouette adding polish and structure to the softly embroidered, tea-length skirt on the Cannes red carpet (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / WENN)

Embracing the “naked dressing” trend long before it became a red-carpet staple, Stewart opted for a daringly sheer set from Chanel’s Resort 2017 collection. The ensemble offered a masterclass in modern transparency; while the long-sleeved bodice was nearly entirely diaphanous, the look maintained a sophisticated edge thanks to the skirt’s intricate, all-over white floral embroidery.

Though technically separate, the pieces flowed together with the fluid grace of a tea-length gown, perfectly balancing the luxury fashion house’s edgy aesthetic with Stewart’s own punk-meets-couture energy.

Kristen Stewart shows a lot of skin at the Cannes Film Festival in a sheer Chanel shirt (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / WENN)

Kristen’s shirt was also almost entirely sheer throughout the front, with only buttoned black pockets covering her breasts. However, Stewart wasn’t the only one making waves.

For the Café Society premiere at Cannes, Blake Lively embraced ethereal glamour in a rose-gold Atelier Versace silk-chiffon gown, delicately embellished with Swarovski crystals and sheer cut-out panels that subtly highlighted her baby bump, pairing the look with minimalist Christian Louboutin “Benedetta” T-strap sandals that elongated the leg without competing with the gown’s intricate detailing.

The cast and director pose together on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, dressed in formal eveningwear against the iconic staircase backdrop (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / WENN)

The Panic Room actress paired her daring look with the Christian Louboutin “Uptown” ankle strap pumps in black.

Kristen Stewart joins a growing list of style icons who have stepped out in the elegant Christian Louboutin “Uptown” pumps, a pointed-toe silhouette that has become a red-carpet staple. Emma Stone’s beige Christian Louboutin Uptown pumps delivered timeless sophistication at the Toronto International Film Festival, while Hailee Steinfeld’s black Uptown pumps proved the style’s versatility during a high-profile gala appearance.

At the Venice Film Festival, Amy Adams relied on classic Christian Louboutin Uptown pumps to ground her polished red-carpet look, while Claire Danes paired silver tailoring with Uptown heels for a refined awards-season moment.

The shoe’s cross-season appeal was further underscored when Zoe Saldaña styled Christian Louboutin Uptown pumps with a sleek leather dress, cementing the design’s place as a go-to red-carpet classic.

Kristen Stewart’s feet are showcased in sleek black Christian Louboutin Uptown pumps, highlighting the shoe’s signature d’Orsay cut, slim ankle strap, and sky-high stiletto heel against the Cannes red carpet (Credit: Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / WENN)

Since the Christian Louboutin “Uptown” pump is now considered a legacy style and can be difficult to find brand new, the closest modern alternative is the Christian Louboutin Iriza. Often described as the Uptown’s sister shoe, the Iriza preserves the same elegant D’Orsay cut that defined the original silhouette, but removes the ankle strap for a cleaner, more versatile finish.

The half–D’Orsay design creates a striking leg-lengthening effect by revealing the arch of the foot, echoing the “naked” side profile Kristen Stewart favored at Cannes.

Available in both 85mm and 100mm heel heights, the Iriza is also frequently noted for its slightly more comfortable open-side construction. You can explore current Iriza styles and other essential Christian Louboutin pumps at Nordstrom and Mytheresa.

A classic black Christian Louboutin Uptown pump featuring a sharp pointed toe, elegant D’Orsay cut, slim ankle strap, and the brand’s signature red sole for timeless red-carpet polish

Kristen Stewart’s Cannes Evolution, Defined by Footwear

From her transformative Cannes debut during Café Society to later moments of rebellion, refinement, and rule-breaking, Kristen Stewart’s red-carpet journey has consistently been anchored by bold footwear choices.

Whether she’s embracing classic Christian Louboutin pumps, pushing boundaries in Chanel separates, or rejecting convention altogether, her shoes tell a parallel story of confidence and creative control. Explore more of Stewart’s most memorable shoe and fashion moments below.