WWD Style Awards 2026: Kristen Stewart’s Tough Combat Boots vs. Emily Blunt’s Crystal Miu Mius

With awards season underway, WWD turned the spotlight on fashion with the 2026 WWD Style Awards at the Regent Santa Monica Beach. The ceremony focused less on traditional awards and more on the creative people shaping red carpet style.

Now in its second year, the WWD Style Awards celebrates designers, stylists, and muses whose work often defines the most memorable red-carpet moments.

This year’s ceremony drew a strong mix of guests from fashion, modeling, and film, with no shortage of standout looks—and plenty of eye-catching heels to match.

Kristen Stewart, Emily Blunt, Hailey Bieber, Mindy Kaling, and Paris Hilton stepped out in sleek, shimmering heels and statement looks at the 2026 WWD Style Awards, held at the Regent Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, California, on January 9, 2026 (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

From classic heels to more shimmering styles, footwear played a huge role in shaping the night’s style moments. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout dresses and shoe highlights from the evening.

Kristen Stewart Sharpens Thom Browne Tailoring With Lace-Up Combat Boots

Kristen Stewart showed up to celebrate hairstylist Adir Abergel, named Red Carpet Hair Stylist of the Year, looking sharp and unmistakably herself, not in Chanel but in head-to-toe Thom Browne.

She wore a crisp white shirt buttoned all the way up to the neck, with the cuffs peeking out from under a black satin sport coat mini dress. I loved the silhouette, which featured a structured blazer up top with notched lapels and tonal buttons, then a pleated mini skirt below. It felt like classic menswear, reimagined with a sharper edge. The lines were clean, though the fit around the bodice looked a bit tight.

The ensemble was black-and-white, tailored, and slightly rebellious, and very on-brand for Kristen Stewart.

Kristen Stewart looks sharp and edgy in a black Thom Browne sport coat, pleated mini dress, with a crisp white shirt underneath (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Accessories were kept to a minimum. No earrings or bracelets—just a single ring. She carried a pair of sunglasses in her hand, though I actually think the look would’ve felt sleeker if she had worn them.

The styling from the knees down pulled the look together. Stewart wore knee-length black socks, one of which featured four-bar white stripes, adding that Thom Browne schoolboy twist.

Her lace-up black boots finished things off perfectly. They had a glossy sheen that complemented her dress, and a sturdy silhouette that balanced the short hemline and sharp tailoring. The long laces wrapped tightly up the front, giving the boots a slightly utilitarian feel, while the pull tab at the back added to that classic, functional design.

The boots added a sense of toughness and weight, enhancing the look’s edgy mood while still keeping it polished.

Kristen Stewart pairs her blazer mini dress with mismatched striped Thom Browne socks and glossy lace-up boots (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Emily Blunt Sparkles in Carolina Herrera and Crystal-Embellished Miu Miu Slingbacks

Emily Blunt took the stage to present the Skin Savior of the Year Award to Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine, but it was her Carolina Herrera Spring 2026 ensemble that really caught my attention.

Emily wore a bandeau top and a cropped jacket, both embroidered with crystal tassels that shimmered beautifully under the lights and created a sense of movement.

I loved the slim fit of the jacket, especially the puffed shoulders and elbow-length sleeves, which added structure and polish. The cropped length fit her perfectly, revealing just a hint of skin. It also had tassel trims that gave the jacket movement and an extra visual element, but I thought they somewhat took away from its clean lines.

Blunt paired the top with the $990 Carolina Herrera cropped bi-stretch wool tailored pants, which fit her flawlessly. The mid-rise waist and sleek cut gave the outfit a sharp, modern finish. I would’ve loved to see her pair the top with a skirt for a softer contrast, but the tailored pants gave the look a powerful feel.

Emily Blunt flashes her abs in a black bandeau top and a matching crop jacket with crystal fringes from Carolina Herrera (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Though her outfit was already shimmering, I was glad Emily didn’t skimp on jewelry. She wore Anita Ko pieces, including the Baguette Diamond Curved Ear Cuff and a pair of Diamond Maya Earrings set with 1.26-carat round diamonds, 0.43-carat pear diamonds, and 0.22-carat marquis diamonds. Around her neck, she layered the Baguette Diamond Zipper Choker with 24.72 carats of baguette diamonds alongside the Marquis Diamond Choker set with 10.9 carats of diamonds. It was a lot of sparkle, but it never felt overwhelming.

Her beauty look stayed soft and fresh. A rosy blush and pink lip complemented the black ensemble, while her hair was pulled into a bun with loose strands framing her face.

My favorite part of the look was her shoes. Emily chose Miu Miu crystal-embellished slingback pumps, covered in tiny black crystals that caught the light with every step. The shoes shimmered from the pointed toe to the slingback strap, while a slim strap across the foot, encrusted with larger, clear stones, added contrast and extra sparkle.

The sharp pointed toes and flared varnished heels gave the pumps a sculptural silhouette, making them feel like a statement piece on their own.

Emily Blunt pairs her embellished Carolina Herrera outfit with shimmering black Miu Miu slingback pumps featuring a crystal-encrusted strap across the foot (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Hailey Bieber Honors Giorgio Armani in a Silver Armani Privé Gown and Minimalist Mules

Hailey Bieber was honored with the Style Trailblazer Award, and to me, she truly dressed the part. She graced the red carpet in a shimmering silver gown from the Armani Privé Couture Spring 2009 collection, chosen as a tribute to the late Giorgio Armani, who was posthumously honored with the Red Carpet Visionary Award that evening. George Clooney accepted on his behalf. I honestly can’t think of a better moment to wear something this special!

What first drew me in was the texture. The dress appeared to be built on a silver mesh satin base, heavily embellished with thin, tinsel-like rectangular beads at the bodice. As the embellishments moved downward, they softened into delicate, fringe-like strands that skimmed her hips and continued toward the hem. I loved how the detailing loosened as it flowed down her body, giving the dress a fluid, almost liquid effect.

The color was striking, and it looked perfect against Hailey’s bronzed, glowing skin. But beyond that, the fit was flawless. The bodice was structured and snug, with a square neckline supported by thick straps that framed her shoulders. It highlighted her waist and hips before falling into a mermaid skirt that finished at mid-calf with a soft ruffled hem.

Hailey Bieber pays tribute to Giorgio Armani in a silver beaded mermaid dress from the late designer’s Spring 2009 collection (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Mrs. Bieber’s styling stayed refined and elegant. She wore her hair parted slightly off-center with softly flipped ends, giving the look a subtle retro touch. Her makeup was flawless, with rosy cheeks and lips paired with bronzed eyeshadow that kept everything warm and polished.

Her accessories were minimal but luxurious. She wore a pair of Lorraine Schwartz 30-carat Asscher-cut diamond earrings and matching rings, as well as her Solow & Co. Oval Diamond engagement ring, adding extra sparkle.

Hailey finished the look with simple black open-toe mules, and I honestly loved how understated they were. With a dress this shimmery, anything too decorative would’ve felt like overkill.

The clean black leather created a sharp contrast with the silver, keeping the dress front and center. The sleek shape of the mules also added just enough polish, tying the entire look together.

Hailey Bieber highlights her metallic silver pedicure in sleek black peep-toe mules, keeping the focus on understated red-carpet elegance (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Mindy Kaling Elevates the LBD With Cong Tri Silk and Louboutin “Galativi” Pumps

Mindy Kaling stepped out to support stylist Erin Walsh, who took home Style Maker of the Year, and it felt especially fitting that the winner herself styled her.

She wore a Cong Tri Spring 2026 little black dress that was anything but basic. Made from Vietnamese Lanh My A lacquer silk, also known as the queen of silks, the fabric had a deep, inky shine that resembled leather under the lights. I loved how smooth and fluid it looked while still holding structure. The glossy finish looked incredible against her skin, giving the whole look a rich, elevated feel.

Aside from the fabric, the silhouette really made the dress stand out. The asymmetrical one-shoulder neckline fell into gentle ruching across the bodice, beautifully shaping Mindy’s frame. But my favorite detail was the skirt. It featured a sculptural, pleated element at the hip, adding dimension and a modern edge.

Under it, along the right hem, delicate hand-embellished Diospyros mollis motifs peeked through, adding soft shimmer and texture. I liked how it was sultry, yet still polished and elegant.

Mindy Kaling looks modern and polished in a sculptural Lanh My A lacquer silk Cong Tri LBD with draped panels and a hand-embellished Diospyros mollis motif underneath (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Her styling felt just right, thanks to Walsh. She wore Engelbert jewelry, including a pair of diamond earrings and a few rings that added sparkle without competing with the dress. Her hair was styled with soft, flipped ends, which gave the look a playful touch, while her makeup stayed warm and flattering with smoky eyes, bronzed cheeks, and a nude-toned lip.

To finish, Mindy chose black Christian Louboutin “Galativi” strass pumps. They were classic in silhouette, with a sharp pointed toe and a slender stiletto heel, but the details made them feel anything but ordinary.

Sheer mesh panels gave the shoes a light, barely-there look, while fine crystals traced the entire outline of the shoe, starting at the pointed toe and continuing seamlessly along the sides down to the heel.

Mindy Kaling completes her shimmering ensemble with Christian Louboutin “Galativi” pumps featuring mesh panels and strass crystal trims (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Paris Hilton Brings Maximalist Glam in a Leopard Mini and Glittered Black Pumps

Paris Hilton stepped into the wild side for her WWD Style Awards appearance. She wore The New Arrivals by Ilkyaz Ozel “Lia” leopard mini dress, crafted from structured cotton that gave the piece a sculpted shape. The sweetheart neckline framed her chest, with a small cutout at the center adding a playful, flirty touch.

The real showstopper, though, was the exaggerated peplum at the waist. It flared out boldly, creating contrast against the straight mini skirt below and giving the dress that fashion-forward, theatrical edge.

Of course, the leopard print made the whole look even more striking. It’s not an easy print to pull off, but Paris made it feel completely natural. She’s never shied away from bold choices, and this felt very on-brand for her.

What really elevated the look was how she layered a sheer black bodysuit underneath the dress. The see-through fabric softened the leopard print’s boldness and added coverage without detracting from the drama.

Paris Hilton steps into the wild side in The New Arrivals leopard mini layered over a sheer black bodysuit, finishing the look with glittering black pointed-toe pumps as mom Kathy Hilton stands by her side (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Paris accessorized like a true maximalist, wearing diamond hoop earrings and a statement ring that added sparkle. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, keeping the focus on the dress, while her makeup stayed glam with smoky eyes, dramatic lashes, rosy blush, and glossy nude lips.

She finished the look with black pointed-toe pumps completely covered in black glitter. I loved how the shimmer echoed the bold energy of the leopard print, adding shine but without clashing. The entire look was glamorous, playful, and perfectly Paris!

Paris Hilton punctuates her statement look with glitter-encrusted black pointed-toe pumps, adding high-impact sparkle to the red carpet (Credit: CraSH / imageSPACE / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)

Why the 2026 WWD Style Awards Set the Tone for the Year’s Biggest Shoe Trends

From crystal-embellished pumps and sculptural heels to minimalist mules and emerging hybrid silhouettes, the 2026 WWD Style Awards offered a clear preview of the footwear trends shaping the year ahead.

Many of the standout shoes worn on the red carpet reflect broader shifts already influencing runways, street style, and everyday dressing. To see how these awards-season moments connect to the most wearable trends of 2026—and to explore related fashion and shoe highlights—browse our curated guides and style coverage below.