How Kristen Stewart’s Chanel Pearl Heels Redefined Red Carpet Rebellion

Long before she became a fixture of the indie-film circuit, Kristen Stewart’s style evolution reached a defining peak in New York City.

On January 4, 2016, the actress arrived at TAO Downtown for the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, marking a sophisticated departure from her early Twilight aesthetic.

Accepting the Best Supporting Actress award for Clouds of Sils Maria, Stewart showcased her transition from teen idol to a high-fashion powerhouse and a primary muse for Karl Lagerfeld.

Kristen Stewart slicks her hair back on the red carpet of the 2016 New York Film Critics Circle Awards held January 4, 2016, at TAO Downtown in New York (Credit: Rob Rich / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Sean Thorton)

The outfit perfectly balanced edgy sophistication with classic French luxury. Stewart wore an intricate leather-and-lace ensemble from the Chanel Pre-Fall 2016 collection, but it was her choice of footwear that anchored the outfit.

Kristen Stewart exudes edgy sophistication in a black lace and leather Chanel dress paired with pointed-toe heels at the 2016 New York Film Critics Circle Awards

She opted for Chanel’s iconic pearl-embellished heels, a design that has since become a benchmark for the brand’s fusion of punk-rock grit and feminine elegance.

Kristen Stewart joins a growing list of style icons who have embraced Chanel’s pearl-embellished heels as a modern red-carpet signature. On Your Next Shoes, Naomie Harris styled pearl-accented Chanel pumps with timeless elegance at the Spirit Awards, while Rosie Huntington-Whiteley leaned into street-style polish in Chanel pearl-detailed mules, proving the design’s versatility beyond formal events.

The look has also appeared in more classic iterations, with Lucy Hale wearing pearl-accented Chanel pumps for a refined Parisian moment and Katie Holmes stepping out in pearl-heeled Chanel pumps at a Tribeca event. Together, these moments underscore how Chanel’s pearl heels continue to balance femininity, edge, and timeless luxury—qualities that align seamlessly with Stewart’s own Chanel era.

Kristen Stewart’s black pointed-toe Chanel heels, finished with the brand’s signature pearl-embellished heel, add a refined yet rebellious touch to her NYFCC Awards look

Lagerfeld’s decision to handpick Stewart as a brand ambassador solidified her status in the fashion world, making her head-to-toe Chanel appearances a staple of the era’s red carpets.

When discussing the accolades for her performance that evening, Stewart kept it brief and humble, simply calling the honor “the icing on the cake.”

Kristen Stewart wears a black-and-lace Chanel look at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards

Kristen Stewart’s Chanel Era, Defined by Fearless Footwear

Kristen Stewart’s appearance at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards wasn’t just a red-carpet moment—it was a clear marker of the Chanel era that would come to define her fashion legacy.

From pearl-embellished heels to sharply tailored silhouettes, her footwear choices consistently reinforced her reputation for blending rebellion with refinement.

For a closer look at how Stewart continues to use shoes to shape her style narrative, these standout moments are well worth revisiting.