Thandiwe Newton Shines in Metallic Oscar de la Renta and Sky-High Zanotti Heels at the 2021 Gotham Awards

At the 31st Annual Gotham Awards—held at Cipriani Wall Street on November 29, 2021—Thandiwe Newton delivered one of the ceremony’s most luminous fashion moments.

Joining fellow honorees and presenters, including Kristen Stewart and Julianne Moore, as well as Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dakota Johnson, the actress embraced high-shine glamour in a metallic silver cutout ensemble from Oscar de la Renta’s Resort 2022 collection.

Thandiwe Newton flashes a Mapinza tattoo on her right forearm at the 2021 Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on November 29, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)

The two-piece look—a tulle top and coordinating midi skirt—stood out for its intricate 3D floral and leaf laser-cutwork, each motif traced in silver sequins that caught the light with every movement.

A nude underlayer ensured the design’s bolder cutouts read as intentional and chic rather than revealing, keeping the focus on the craftsmanship.

Thandiwe Newton pairs her intricate silver Oscar de la Renta cutout dress with towering metallic Giuseppe Zanotti “Betty” platform pumps at the 2021 Gotham Awards

Newton enhanced the sparkle with floating-diamond and black-enamel earrings from Cicada Jewelry, then added height in her signature way: towering Giuseppe Zanotti “Betty” platform pumps.

Thandiwe Newton teams her silver laser-cut ensemble with Giuseppe Zanotti Betty metallic silver platform pumps

Crafted in sleek metallic silver leather, the heels’ gold-tone block bases and sturdy platforms brought both drama and balance to the outfit—an unmistakable nod to the Italian brand’s sculptural approach to evening footwear.

These Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Betty’ sandals feature a metallic two-tone design with thick platforms and block heels

Her beauty look added a retro flourish. Newton paired a deep red lip with a polished 1940s-inspired pin-up hairstyle, complete with a silver sequin headband she cleverly repurposed from her skirt—an on-the-spot styling touch that felt both creative and deeply her.

Beyond the red carpet, Newton attended the awards to champion President Camilla Nielsson’s Tribeca-winning documentary on Zimbabwe’s path toward democratic reform, where she serves as an executive producer.

Thandiwe Newton wears a retro pin-up hairstyle with a silver sequin headband, which she cut from her skirt

Thandiwe Newton’s Style Legacy: More Standout Heel Moments to Explore

Whether she’s embracing sculptural platforms, sleek minimalist sandals, or metallic statement heels, Thandiwe Newton has built a red-carpet resume defined by bold choices and impeccable detail. For readers who want to explore how her style has evolved across premieres, festivals, and awards seasons, Your Next Shoes has documented many of her most memorable fashion and footwear moments over the years.