Ballerina Core at the Empire State Building: 5 ‘Pretty Lethal’ Shoe Trends Including Sculptural Tory Burch & Spiky Dsquared2 Heels

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Perched high above New York City, the cast of Pretty Lethal—Lana Condor, Maddie Ziegler, Iris Apatow, Millicent Simmonds, and Avantika Vandanapu—brought their distinct personal style to the Empire State Building as they celebrated their new action thriller, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

The film follows a group of ballerinas whose trip to a major competition takes a sinister detour when they’re stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Seeking shelter, they arrive at a secluded inn run by a mysterious former dancer, played by Uma Thurman. What begins as an uneasy stopover quickly spirals into something far more dangerous, forcing the group to confront their differences—and survive the night.

Off-screen, that same contrast plays out visually. Towering at 5’7¾”, Avantika Vandanapu stood statuesque beside 5’1½” Lana Condor and 5’1″ Millicent Simmonds, while Maddie Ziegler (5’5″) and Iris Apatow (around 5’6″) fell in between—creating a striking mix of proportions that made each footwear choice feel even more intentional, from leg-lengthening heels to softer, more grounded silhouettes.

Avantika Vandanapu, Lana Condor, Iris Apatow, Maddie Ziegler, and Millicent Simmonds step out at the Empire State Building in New York City on March 23, 2026, showcasing a striking range of proportions—from Avantika’s statuesque 5'7¾" frame to Lana and Millicent’s petite 5'1" silhouettes—anchored by standout footwear including DSquared2 sandals, Tory Burch peep-toe pumps, Aquazzura heels, and sleek Lucasheva styles ahead of their Prime Video film Pretty LethalAvantika Vandanapu, Lana Condor, Iris Apatow, Maddie Ziegler, and Millicent Simmonds step out at the Empire State Building in New York City on March 23, 2026, showcasing a striking range of proportions—from Avantika’s statuesque 5’7¾” frame to Lana and Millicent’s petite 5’1″ silhouettes—anchored by standout footwear including DSquared2 sandals, Tory Burch peep-toe pumps, Aquazzura heels, and sleek Lucasheva styles ahead of their Prime Video film Pretty Lethal (Credit: MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Although they play ballerinas in the film, their looks were far from traditional. Each actress showed off her own fashion personality. Lana went for a ’90s edgy vibe in a Tory Burch denim skirt paired with peep-toe pumps. Maddie leaned into something more flirty with a Buci lingerie-style dress and open-toe mules.

Iris kept things soft and feminine in Victoria Beckham, styled with Aquazzura heels. Millicent opted for a more modest look with a printed Tibi maxi skirt and white Lucasheva pumps, while Avantika took a more structured route in a pinstriped suit finished with bold Dsquared2 heels.

Lana Condor Balances Proportions in Tory Burch Peep-Toe Pumps

Lana Condor kept things simple yet slightly casual for her appearance at the Empire State Building.

What stood out to me were her shoes. The To All the Boys film series star wore black Tory Burch peep-toe pumps that were anything but basic. Made from smooth nappa leather, the pair featured a sculptural, wide heel, around 3.5 inches high, that gave the shoes a modern, architectural look. The heel had a curved, twisted shape that made it look as if it were in motion.

Aside from that, they also featured an asymmetrical toe slit that updated the classic peep-toe design, while the grosgrain trims and side seaming referenced ballet pointe shoes.

These Tory Burch 90mm peep-toe heeled pumps are available for $866 at Farfetch.

Lana Condor slips into Tory Burch's take on peep-toe ballet pointe pumps with architectural twisted wide heels and asymmetrical toe slitLana Condor slips into Tory Burch’s take on peep-toe ballet pointe pumps with architectural twisted wide heels and asymmetrical toe slit (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Lana paired the pumps with a light vintage-wash denim midi skirt from Tory Burch. It had a straight, column silhouette that fell mid-calf, giving it that clean, elongated look. It was belted at the waist with the Tory Burch Large Pierced Buckle Belt, adding structure and a bit of shine.

Up top, Lana went for a more classic, slightly retro feel with an ivory Tory Burch polo. The contrasting black topstitching outlined the collar, button placket, chest pockets, and sleeves, making the piece stand out more despite its simple color.

She layered everything under an oversized black jacket with contrasting white stitching, adding a bit of edge to the look. The bottom buttons were fastened to slightly shape the jacket without detracting from its relaxed, oversized vibe. It’s on sale for $844 (from $1,311) at Farfetch.

To balance out the structured pieces, Lana styled her hair in a half-up, half-down look and wore tiny hoop earrings, adding a soft, feminine touch. Her makeup had a bronzed finish and a two-toned nude lip, pulling everything together and keeping the overall look polished yet easy.

Lana Condor pairs her sculptural black pumps with a Tory Burch ensemble, featuring a light wash denim midi skirt, a white polo with contrast black topstitching, and an oversized black jacket with white topstitchingLana Condor pairs her sculptural black pumps with a Tory Burch ensemble, featuring a light wash denim midi skirt, a white polo with contrast black topstitching, and an oversized black jacket with white topstitching (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Lana Condor has long used footwear to sharpen her proportions, often relying on sleek Jimmy Choo pumps and towering heels to elongate her petite frame.

In past appearances, she’s gravitated toward leg-lengthening silhouettes like pointed-toe Christian Louboutin styles and bold Valentino platform heels, proving how strategic shoe choices can completely transform a look.

Maddie Ziegler Keeps It Minimal in Black Satin Mules

Maddie Ziegler braved the cold on top of the Empire State Building in a flirty, feminine look. I loved how light and effortless everything came across with her open-toe mules and lingerie-style mini dress.

Her shoes kept things simple but still worked well with the outfit. She opted for black satin mules with a glossy finish, giving them a subtle sheen.

The open-toe, backless design made them easy and comfortable to wear, while the slim high heels added height and gave her already-tall frame an even longer, cleaner line.

Maddie Ziegler slips into a pair of black satin open-toe mules, enhancing her look's sultrinessMaddie Ziegler slips into a pair of black satin open-toe mules, enhancing her look’s sultriness (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Maddie paired the mules with the $500 Buci NYC “Waterlily” mini dress, which had a soft sheath silhouette made from smooth silk that draped neatly over her frame. The bust featured sheer black lace with delicate patterns, held up by thin spaghetti straps that added to the light, barely-there feel.

Below that, the white silk hugged her figure before falling into a thigh-skimming skirt finished with black ruffled lace trim, adding movement and a romantic touch while still keeping things modern and playful.

One detail that stood out was the black sheer lace scarf wrapped around her neck. It added a bit of drama without detracting from the look’s softness.

Maddie Ziegler kept everything else minimal with delicate rings, straight center-parted hair, and rosy lips, which made the whole look feel clean, balanced, and easy to wear.

Maddie Ziegler pairs her minimalist mules with a black-and-white lingerie-style mini dress from Buci NYC featuring see-through lace bust and hem, and a matching scarfMaddie Ziegler pairs her minimalist mules with a black-and-white lingerie-style mini dress from Buci NYC featuring see-through lace bust and hem, and a matching scarf (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Maddie Ziegler’s style evolution has been closely tied to her footwear choices, shifting from youthful red carpet looks to more refined, fashion-forward silhouettes anchored by statement heels.

Whether she’s stepping out in sculptural pumps or delicate Nicholas Kirkwood sandals, her shoe game consistently elevates her minimalist outfits with a polished edge.

Iris Apatow Softens the Look in Aquazzura “Slow Kisses” Sandals

Iris Apatow, Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann’s daughter, stepped out in a soft, polished, and feminine look, and I honestly think everything about it worked so well together. She wore a light pink Victoria Beckham slip dress paired with Aquazzura heels, creating a clean, elegant look that was easy on the eyes.

Her shoes were hard to miss. Iris wore the Aquazzura “Slow Kisses” sandals in beige mesh, featuring softly gathered straps that crisscrossed at the front and met in a center knot detail. The straps were decorated with tiny crystals, which added a bit of shine, while suede trims helped keep the structure in place.

They also featured open almond toes that showed off her pink pedicure, while the slim ankle straps secured them to her feet. The 4-inch stiletto heels gave her extra height and a more refined look.

She’s far from the only celebrity to love these sandals. At the special screening of “We Live in Time” at the Ham Yard Hotel, Florence Pugh embraced edgy romance in a black Rodarte dress with matching crystal-embellished Aquazzura Slow Kisses platform sandals.

Iris Apatow showcases her pink pedicure in the beige mesh Aquazzura “Slow Kisses” knotted sandals with crystal embellishments and ankle strapsIris Apatow showcases her pink pedicure in the beige mesh Aquazzura “Slow Kisses” knotted sandals with crystal embellishments and ankle straps (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Iris Apatow paired her shoes with a $2,150 Victoria Beckham slip dress from the Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The light pink satin dress had a soft sheen, smooth and fluid, with its relaxed fit draping beautifully over her slim frame.

The bodice featured a white lace V-panel and tonal floral embroidery, adding texture and a delicate contrast. Below that, the asymmetrical skirt flowed down with soft ruffles, giving the dress natural movement as she walked.

Iris kept her accessories minimal, skipping a necklace and earrings and wearing only a statement ring on her pink-manicured hands.

To finish the look, she styled her hair in loose, soft waves with a center part and wore soft makeup, including a pink blush and lipstick that matched the tone of her ensemble.

Iris Apatow pairs her feminine heels with a light pink satin slip dress by Victoria Beckham featuring a white lace panel, tonal floral embroideries, and an asymmetrical satin skirtIris Apatow pairs her feminine heels with a light pink satin slip dress by Victoria Beckham featuring a white lace panel, tonal floral embroideries, and an asymmetrical satin skirt (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Millicent Simmonds Sharpens a Monochrome Moment in White Lucasheva Pumps

Millicent Simmonds kept things feminine and elegant in a black-and-white outfit that looked clean and well put together. I liked how simple everything was, but the small details made it more interesting.

Her shoes added a refined touch to the look. She wore a pair of white leather Lucasheva “Barbara” pumps, with pointed toes and slim high heels. What made them more interesting was the V-shaped vamp with piped topline, which gave the classic pump a more modern update. It also helped elongate her legs and kept the overall look sharp without looking too traditional. They were finished with slim ankle straps, hidden beneath her skirt, and 4-inch stiletto heels.

You can find the black version of these Lucasheva pumps on sale at Revolve for $250 (down from $625).

Millicent Simmonds wears the white Lucasheva “Barbara” pumps featuring the trendy V-shaped vamps, pointed toes, and stiletto heelsMillicent Simmonds wears the white Lucasheva “Barbara” pumps featuring the trendy V-shaped vamps, pointed toes, and stiletto heels (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

I liked how the pumps worked well with the rest of her outfit. She wore a fitted, ribbed black Tibi tank top that almost looked like a bodysuit, highlighting her silhouette. The top featured a high round neckline and a racer-style cut, giving it a clean, minimal finish.

Millicent paired it with a modest black column skirt featuring small white prints scattered throughout. The straight silhouette kept the look structured, while the print added just enough detail to keep it from looking plain. It was a simple combination, but it really suited her and complemented her complexion.

Simmonds finished the look with a tennis necklace, matching earrings, and a few rings, adding a subtle shine that elevated the entire outfit.

Millicent Simmonds teams her white pumps with a black-and-white printed skirt by Tibi and a ribbed tank top from the same brandMillicent Simmonds teams her white pumps with a black-and-white printed skirt by Tibi and a ribbed tank top from the same brand (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Avantika Vandanapu Adds Edge in Dsquared2 “Gothic” Studded Sandals

Avantika Vandanapu went for a more serious, business-chic look, but her choice of heels came as a surprise, adding just the right amount of edge. I liked how she kept her outfit clean and tailored, then added something bolder with her shoes.

The Mean Girls star wore the Dsquared2 “Gothic” sandals in shiny black patent leather, detailed with silver-tone spiked studs that instantly gave them a tougher, more striking vibe. They featured three thick straps across the foot, all lined with studs, along with a center strap connected by silver-tone rings that added more detail.

The open, rounded toes gave the design a softer shape, while the ankle cuffs with double-buckle fastenings kept them secure. Adding height and edge, the high stiletto heels finished the pair with a sharp, elevated look.

Avantika Vandanapu adds tough-chic edge to business dressing with the DSquared2 “Gothic” sandals in shiny black patent leather with silver-tone spike studsAvantika Vandanapu adds tough-chic edge to business dressing with the DSquared2 “Gothic” sandals in shiny black patent leather with silver-tone spike studs (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

I liked how these sandals added contrast to her outfit. Avantika wore a black-and-gray pinstriped blazer with matching wide-leg pants, creating a strong, structured silhouette, though it was unfortunate that the pants covered most of her shoes.

Underneath, she added a fitted white button-down shirt that looked kind of ill-fitting, with the fabric pulling a bit across the front. She left a few buttons undone at the top and bottom, which gave the look a more relaxed feel.

To finish, Avantika added hoop earrings and a few rings, adding just enough shine to complement the outfit without detracting from its clean, tailored style.

Avantika Vandanapu pairs her spiky black sandals with a black-and-charcoal gray pinstriped suit and a form-fitting shirt underneathAvantika Vandanapu pairs her spiky black sandals with a black-and-charcoal gray pinstriped suit and a form-fitting shirt underneath (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

From Sculptural Pumps to Statement Sandals: Where 2026 Shoe Trends Are Headed

From polished pumps to embellished sandals, the cast’s footwear choices reflect a broader shift toward texture, detail, and personality in 2026.

If you’re looking to see how these trends play out across runways, red carpets, and celebrity street style, explore more standout shoe moments and trend reports below.

👠 Explore 2026 Shoe Trends & Fashion Highlights on Your Next Shoes: