Lupita Nyong’o has long been a fixture of red-carpet excellence, famously bridging the gap between avant-garde fashion and cinematic storytelling.
From her 2019 celebration of Black Panther’s cultural legacy to her gravity-defying hair and minimalist footwear at the 2016 Met Gala, Nyong’o’s style evolution is a masterclass in intentional dressing. We’re looking back at these definitive moments to see how she uses statement gowns and iconic heels—like the Jimmy Choo ‘Minny’—to command the spotlight.
Lupita Nyong’o Highlights Alexandre Birman Sandals at the NAACP Image Awards
At the 50th NAACP Image Awards in Hollywood, California, on March 30, 2019, the petite actress celebrated the enduring impact of Black Panther in a Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown.
The bold burgundy ensemble featured a daring leg slit that spotlighted her elegant Alexandre Birman sandals—yet even in high heels, Lupita appeared noticeably petite beside her taller co-stars, underscoring how footwear can only do so much against red-carpet height contrasts.
She also wore custom Alexandre Birman suede ankle-strap sandals to the 2018 Academy Awards and to the European premiere of “Black Panther.”
Michael B. Jordan, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman, Danai Gurira, Sterling K. Brown, Letitia Wright, and Ryan Coogler celebrate yet another Black Panther award at the 50th NAACP Image Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 30, 2019, in Hollywood, California (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
While Lupita Nyong’o’s portrayal of Nakia in the Black Panther franchise cemented her status as a cinematic powerhouse, her off-screen style is equally legendary.
Lupita Nyong’o walks arm in arm with Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman, whose regal screen presence as T’Challa remains enduring following his passing in August 2020
On the red carpet, she continues the ‘world-building’ seen in Wakanda by choosing footwear that balances cultural significance with high-fashion edge, often using her 2019 and 2022 press tours as a masterclass in styling statement sandals.
That thoughtful world-building helped elevate Black Panther beyond a superhero film, cementing its place as one of Marvel’s most celebrated releases.
How Black Panther Red Carpets Redefined Modern Shoe Style
From global premieres to awards-season appearances, the Black Panther cast consistently used footwear to anchor bold fashion statements—balancing cultural influence, couture silhouettes, and red-carpet practicality.
Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, and their co-stars proved that shoes were never an afterthought, but a defining element of each look. For a closer look at the most memorable fashion and footwear moments inspired by the film, explore the curated highlights below.
🎬 Black Panther Fashion & Shoe Highlights
- ✨ Best-Dressed Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Cast — A roundup of standout looks, from Letitia Wright’s Chelsea boots to Lupita Nyong’o’s Balmain ensemble, at the Los Angeles premiere.
- 👠 Black Panther Stars Take Fashion to New Heights — European premiere street style and red-carpet fashion, including Lupita Nyong’o’s custom Alexandre Birman sandals.
- 👗 Lupita Nyong’o & Danai Gurira Shine in Ankle-Strap Sandals — The co-star duo dazzles in shimmering dresses and ankle-strap heels at the 2018 Oscars.
- 👡 Lupita Nyong’o Glows in Gold Celine Gown and Heels — Metallic glamour and strappy silver heels underscore her evolving red-carpet style.
While Lupita Nyong’o dazzled audiences with her fierce performance as Nakia in Black Panther, she is equally celebrated for her strategic approach to the red carpet.
For Nyong’o, boosting her petite frame isn’t just about the height of a heel; it’s about a holistic use of verticality. She demonstrated this masterfully at the 2016 Met Gala, where she combined minimalist footwear with architectural hair to create one of her most unforgettable, gravity-defying silhouettes.
Styling the Jimmy Choo ‘Minny’: Lupita’s 2016 Met Gala Retrospective
Lupita Nyong’o styles her hair into a towering updo at the 2016 Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala held on May 2, 2016, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (Credit: WENN)
In May 2016, Lupita Nyong’o made a bold statement at the Met Gala, arriving at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with her hair sculpted into a towering, Marge Simpson–inspired up-do that instantly set her apart on the red carpet.
“Well, the sculptural hairdos from around the continent,” the popular actress told Vogue’s contributing editor Andre Leon Talley on the red carpet, later adding that it was also inspired by civil rights activist Nina Simone.
While her skyscraper hairstyle was unforgettable, unfortunately, we can’t say the same about her dress. Lupita wore a jade-colored sequined Calvin Klein gown that featured velvet straps and a sheer tulle train.
Lupita Nyong’o sparkles at the Met Gala in a shimmering sequined Calvin Klein gown, finishing the look with sleek silver strappy heels that subtly peek out beneath the fluid hem (Credit: WENN)
She styled the underwhelming dress with Tiffany & Co. jewelry and a pair of “Minny” heels by Jimmy Choo.
Lupita Nyong’o appears noticeably taller alongside Margot Robbie and Emma Watson at the Met Gala, thanks to a combination of sleek heels and her dramatic, towering updo, which added extra height above the Calvin Klein Collection gown (Credit: WENN)
At the 2016 Met Gala, Lupita Nyong’o, standing approximately 5 feet 3 ¾ inches (161.9 cm) tall, appeared notably taller than Margot Robbie and Emma Watson, thanks to her striking sculptural updo.
Lupita Nyong’o towers over Margot Robbie and Emma Watson, her striking sculptural updo adding extra height to her stunning presence on the red carpet (Credit: WENN)
Her towering hairstyle, paired with a shimmering jade Calvin Klein gown, elevated her look to new heights—literally and figuratively—making her a standout on the red carpet.
Regardless of your feelings about Lupita’s dress, you can purchase Lupita’s popular Jimmy Choo sandals in different versions at Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, and Mytheresa.
Jimmy Choo’s minimalist Minny sandals in white leather spotlight clean lines and a barely-there ankle strap, letting the slender stiletto heel do all the elegant work
The black Jimmy Choo Minny sandal delivers timeless red-carpet polish, pairing razor-thin straps with a sleek stiletto for an effortlessly leg-lengthening finish
Lupita Nyong’o’s Red-Carpet Style, Through a Footwear Lens
From sculptural gowns to statement heels, Lupita Nyong’o’s fashion legacy extends well beyond the screen.
Whether she’s elevating her 5ft 3¾in frame with elegant sandals or anchoring bold couture with minimalist heels, her red-carpet choices consistently underscore the power of footwear in shaping an unforgettable look.
For readers looking to explore more of her standout shoe moments—and the enduring appeal of iconic styles like Jimmy Choo’s “Minny” sandals—the highlights below offer a curated starting point.
👠 Lupita Nyong’o Shoe & Fashion Highlights
- ✨ How Lupita Nyong’o Uses Heels to Elevate Her 5ft 3¾in Stature — A deep dive into her red carpet footwear choices and shoe size.
- 💫 Lupita Nyong’o Wows in Gold Celine Gown and Strappy Heels at CinemaCon 2024 — Showcasing her chic styling with silver heels.
- 👠 Lupita Nyong’o Stuns in Red Lace Dolce & Gabbana + Gianvito Rossi Pumps — A standout festival look completed with statement shoes.
👡 Jimmy Choo “Minny” Sandal Style Moments
- 💐 Emma Stone Honors Stylist in Jimmy Choo ‘Minny’ Sandals — Elegant pastel styling with this red-carpet favorite.
- 🥂 Diane Kruger & the Legacy of Jimmy Choo “Minny” Sandals — A retrospective on how the minimalist sandal anchored a LACMA look.
- 👠 Olivia Munn Stuns in Jimmy Choo “Minny” at the VMAs — Minimalist statement heels at a major awards event.