At the premiere of Queen of Katwe at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre on September 20, 2016, Lupita Nyong’o embraced one of the most memorable red-carpet looks of her career in a lavender Elie Saab Resort 2017 gown paired with a matching headwrap and towering Neil J. Rodgers heels.
Lupita Nyong’o wears a lavender Elie Saab Resort 2017 gown with multicolored striped straps and a dramatic matching headwrap, subtly concealing her towering Neil J. Rodgers sandals beneath the sweeping hem at the Queen of Katwe premiere in Hollywood on September 20, 2016 (Credit: Apega / WENN)
The look balanced dramatic color with thoughtful styling.
Although mostly hidden beneath the sweeping hem, Lupita’s Neil J. Rodgers “Stella” sandals added height and lengthened the silhouette, allowing the lavender Elie Saab gown to fall elegantly while keeping the focus on the dress’s multicolored straps and sculptural headwrap.
Lupita Nyong’o complemented her lavender Elie Saab gown with a sculptural matching headwrap and pastel-striped straps (Credit: Apega / WENN)
That same year, Mila Kunis wore silver Neil J. Rodgers “Stella” sandals with a fully-embellished Zuhair Murad dress on the pink carpet of the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.
Mila Kunis shows off her silver metallic Neil J. Rodgers “Stella” sandals, featuring delicate double toe straps and slender ankle straps that lend a barely-there elegance to the red-carpet look
Three years later, Heidi Klum wore the same heels at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards with a black sequined mini dress featuring structured shoulders and a heart-shaped cutout. The German model also rocked Neil J. Rodgers “Stella” sandals at the 2018 amfAR Gala New York.
While far more glamorous than the wardrobe she wore on screen in Queen of Katwe, Lupita’s premiere look included a coordinating headwrap that subtly echoed a signature styling element from her character’s costumes.
Lupita Nyong’o earned widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Nakku Harriet, bringing emotional depth and resilience to the protective mother at the heart of Queen of Katwe (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
The gown’s multicolored straps introduced subtle contrast to the monochromatic palette, while the matching headwrap created a cohesive silhouette from head to hem.
Together, the elements gave the look a distinctive identity without distracting from the dress itself.
Lupita Nyong’o dazzled in a lavender Elie Saab Resort 2017 gown with multicolored straps and a matching headwrap, subtly revealing her platform peep-toe heels peeking out from beneath the gown’s flowing hemline (Credit: Apega / WENN)
Lupita Nyong’o’s Neil J. Rodgers heels fit into a broader pattern in her red-carpet style: pairing statement fashion with carefully selected footwear. Over the years, she has worn everything from Christian Louboutin “Gwynitta” sandals beneath Elie Saab couture to Paul Andrew “Zenadia” pumps with her iconic Ralph Lauren cape dress, demonstrating a consistent preference for shoes that complement rather than compete with her clothing.
That same approach can be seen in later appearances, including her white Gianvito Rossi Plexi pumps at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the metallic heels she paired with a gold Celine gown at CinemaCon.
Whether the shoes become the focal point or remain partially concealed beneath a gown, Lupita’s styling choices consistently show how footwear can support a red-carpet look without overwhelming it.
Lupita Nyong’o effortlessly donned a flowing lavender gown by Elie Saab, complemented by a perfectly matched head wrap (Credit: Apega / WENN)
As of June 2026, Neil J. Rodgers’ Nordstrom lineup spans everything from minimalist Obi and Pebble sandals to refined Nina D’Orsay pumps and statement over-the-knee boots. This extensive selection reflects the brand’s evolution from a red-carpet favorite into a broader luxury footwear label, while maintaining its signature emphasis on elegant, outfit-enhancing design.