The 5 Best Red Dress & Shoe Pairings from the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards: From Margot Robbie’s Manolos to Emily Blunt’s Platforms

While fashion cycles are notoriously fleeting, red remains the ultimate power move in a woman’s wardrobe. From the architectural precision of Alexander McQueen to the refined elegance of Valentino, the industry’s most influential houses have long used the shade to signal confidence and presence.

It is a color that demands attention without saying a word, bridging the gap between high-fashion runways and wearable street style.

Whether it’s the modern minimalism of Hailey Bieber or the timeless glamour of Michelle Yeoh, red has transitioned from a seasonal trend into a permanent red-carpet staple.

One of the most significant showcases for this “red renaissance” took place in Los Angeles at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards. The event served as a definitive guide to styling the hue, ranging from monochromatic textures to bold leather finishes.

Below, we look back at the most noteworthy red looks from that evening, focusing on the footwear and styling choices that made them instant classics.

1. Radiant Rose: Margot Robbie’s Balmain Gown & Manolo Blahnik Heels

Margot Robbie embraced the all-red look of the season, donning a custom red Balmain gown that seemed to nod to the 1996 Radiant Rose Barbie.

The top part of her vibrant gown, which boasted 3D rosettes along the off-the-shoulder Bardot neckline, mirrored the 3D rose embellishments that cascaded from Radiant Rose Barbie’s shoulder to her tiny waist.

Balmain’s wet leather-on-bust technique, previously seen on Zendaya at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, was also featured on this sculpturally structured leather dress. This technique allowed the leather to gently contour Robbie’s curves.

Evoking the romanticism of the house’s Spring/Summer 2024 runway, the gorgeous red gown came finished with a pleated bodice and a mermaid skirt with a dramatic, short-sweeping train.

Margot Robbie channels Radiant Rose Barbie in a sculpturally structured red leather dress custom-made by Balmain using the wet leather-on-bust technique, featuring rose appliques along the neckline, a pleated bodice, and a sweeping train (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

Robbie, dubbed “the icon in the Balmain savoir Faire” by Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing, was styled for the event by Andrew Mukamal, whose clientele also includes Carey Mulligan, Billie Eilish, and Zoë Kravitz.

Although her heels were hidden beneath her stunning gown, Margot was believed to be wearing a pair of Manolo Blahnik “Morata” custom heels. These are made of calfskin leather and feature a wrap ankle tie with bronze flat-stud trims, open square toes, and about 4-inch heels.

The Barbie star kept her look elegant with minimalist diamond jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz, estimated at $10 million. A representative for the jeweler stated that Margot wore a set of 60-carat oval diamond earrings and a 35-carat oval diamond ring in D color.

Margot Robbie’s 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards all-red look was completed with nearly 100-carat diamond jewelry by Lorraine Schwarz, estimated to be worth $10 million (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Margot’s tresses were styled in a low bun with wavy tendrils tucked behind her ears. Her face was minimally made up, allowing her natural beauty to shine.

Margot Robbie lost out to Emma Stone to win the Best Actress award at the 29th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards. Barbie led the film nominations with 18 and took home six awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Song, Best Hair and Makeup, and Best Comedy.

Margot Robbie wears her tresses in a loose, low bun and highlights her natural beauty with minimal makeup that includes mascara, subtle blush, and red-brown lipstick (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

2. Romantic Monochrome: Emily Blunt’s Armani Gown & Alexandre Birman “Clarita” Sandals

Emily Blunt dressed similarly, wearing a red gown with a flower corsage.

Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Kitty in the biographical thriller Oppenheimer, Blunt made a glamorous appearance in her red Armani Privè Fall/Winter 2023 gown, completely covered in shimmering sequins.

The magnificent column gown featured a large rose appliqué on the shoulder, the focal point of its attractive one-shoulder neckline.

Emily Blunt opts for a romantic one-shoulder red gown with sequin embellishments by Armani Privè for her 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet appearance on January 14, 2024 (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Her trusted stylist, Jessica Paster, continued with the monochromatic red theme of her look by styling it with the red Alexandre Birman “Clarita Curve” sandals, defined by their curved block heels.

These $695 sandals have a supple suede finish with a knotted toe strap, rounded open toes, and thick platforms, elevating Blunt’s 5’7” height by several inches.

Paster’s celebrity clientele includes Abigail Spencer, Cara Jade Myers, and Quinta Brunson.

Emily Blunt shows her sexy back in the one-shoulder red dress paired with red Alexandre Birman Clarita Curve platform sandals (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

She elevated the look with ocean-inspired jewels from Tiffany & Co.’s Schlumberger collection, including platinum cactus earrings set with brilliant-cut diamonds, a mixed-metal bracelet with sapphires and opals, and a statement diamond ring exceeding 6 carats.

A sleek, center-parted updo by Laini Reeves kept the focus on the neckline, while Jenn Streicher leaned into a bronzed glow using Chanel Beauty, finishing with a rich red lip in Rouge Privé.

A glossy, candy-apple manicure by Julie Kandalec completed the look, layering Chanel’s Le Vernis shades for a high-shine, lacquered finish.

Emily Blunt completes her ultra-glam look with an elegant updo, red lipstick, and red manicure (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

3. Modern Red Rose: Dua Lipa’s Prada Gown & Metallic Red Heels

Margot Robbie wasn’t the only Barbie star wearing red at the Critics’ Choice Awards. Joining her was Dua Lipa, who emulated the literal English red-rose aesthetic in a strapless red gown that perfectly complemented her dark red tresses.

Dua, who plays Mermaid Barbie in the movie, dazzled in a red column gown made especially for her by Prada. It was cut from a rose-petal-textured fabric that fit her slender figure flawlessly, bringing attention to her tiny waist, toned body, and arm tattoos.

Going for a monochromatic red look, the singer further enhanced her 5’8” height with metallic red leather heels, also from the Italian luxury fashion house.

Dua Lipa accentuates her curves in a custom Prada column gown featuring a red textured fabric that resembles rose petals (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Lorenzo Posocco balanced the ultra-feminine look with a hint of edge, layering a Chrome Hearts cross earring alongside Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger pieces, including the Seven Leaves earrings set with diamonds and rubellites and a sculptural Stitches ring.

Peter Lux styled her red hair in a soft half-up, half-down look with loose waves and side-swept bangs, while her makeup stayed understated—winged liner, flushed cheeks, and a muted nude lip letting the color story speak.

A dark, high-gloss manicure by Kim Truong added contrast and polish. Meanwhile, “I’m Just Ken” edged out Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” for Best Song.

Dua Lipa styles her red hair in a half ponytail and highlights her striking features with winged eyeliner, heavy mascara, rosy blush, and lipstick (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

4. Embellished Elegance: Mandy Moore’s Elie Saab Midi Dress & Coordinated Red Heels

Glistening in her lavishly adorned Elie Saab midi dress, Mandy Moore took to the stage to co-present the award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series to Jeremy Allen White of Hulu’s comedy-drama The Bear.

Hailing from the Lebanese fashion designer’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, the stunning gown was decked in glittering sequins and bead embroidery. It also had waist cutouts, a plunging V-neckline that accentuated her slim figure, and a daring, slightly wide center-front slit that showcased her slender legs.

Under the styling direction of Kevin Michael Ericson, who also dresses Sophia Bush, Julia Louis Dreyfus, and Evangeline Lilly, Moore went bare-necked and wore minimalist jewelry, including a pair of Lagos White Topaz Hoop earrings and a Rahaminov Moval Cut Diamond Twin Bezel Ring.

Mandy Moore flashes some flesh in a red embellished sleeveless midi dress by Elie Saab featuring a plunging neckline, waist cutouts, and a center-front slit at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards on January 14, 2024 (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

Moore’s hair, styled by Barb Does Hair, skimmed her shoulders and was arranged straight with flipped ends. Makeup artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua gave Moore a “natural, healthy winter glow” using Chanel Beauty makeup.

Bua provided a beauty tutorial on how to achieve the look. “For a natural, healthy winter glow, apply a blendable bright tone with a luminous texture to the center of the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards and outwards and across the nose to create a translucent, fresh feeling.”

Mandy Moore styles her shoulder-length hair straight with flipped ends and wears a natural healthy winter glow with bronzed eyeshadow and pink lip (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

5. Classic Glam: Vanessa Morgan’s Zuhair Murad Gown & Red Slingback Pumps

Along with her co-star Giacomo Gianniotti, Wild Card star Vanessa Morgan co-presented the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series awards to Billy Crudup of The Morning Show and Elizabeth Debicki of The Crown.

The Riverdale actress dressed up for the evening in a red strapless gown by Zuhair Murad, a Beirut-based Lebanese fashion designer known for his ready-to-wear, haute couture, and bridal collections that infuse modern glamour with traditional aesthetics.

Morgan’s gown featured a corset-style, lace-embroidered bodice adorned with sequins and beads, and a high-low tulle-and-lace skirt that displayed her toned legs.

Vanessa Morgan opts for a classic red-carpet look in a red Zuhair Murad high-low gown with matching red peep-toe slingback pumps at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards on January 14, 2024 (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

The Shannara Chronicles star had everyone seeing red, literally, as she styled the classic look with a red clutch bag embellished with glittering crystals and a pair of red platform slingback pumps with peep toes that showed off her metallic red pedicure.

Jordan Gross gave Morgan’s look some sparkle by accessorizing her with a diamond choker and a silver pendant necklace. She added a pair of beautiful long diamond earrings, a bangle, and a few rings for extra glitz.

Makeup artist Elie Maalouf enhanced her exotic features with winged eyeliner, mascara, and neutral eyeshadow. She also added a hint of blush and a swipe of neutral lipstick to finish her sultry beauty look.

Meanwhile, Damien Carvey used Harloc hair extensions to create stunning curls that hung over her shoulders.

Vanessa Morgan enhances her exotic features with winged eyeliner and mascara and styles her hair in gorgeous curls with waist-length hair extensions (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

More Red Dress and Heel Moments Worth Revisiting

From tonal sandals to sculptural pumps, these standout looks show just how versatile a red dress can be on the red carpet. For more celebrity styling inspiration, revisit these memorable red-dress-and-heel pairings on Your Next Shoes.