“Sweet Steps: How Kaia Gerber Is Redefining ‘Balletcore’ One Bow at a Time”
In a masterful display of sartorial finesse that would make Anna Pavlova proud, supermodel sensation Kaia Gerber transformed The Hollywood Reporter and Instagram’s Next Gen 2024 event into her personal stage, serving an enchanting interpretation of the ever-evolving ‘balletcore’ trend that’s captivating fashion’s elite circles.
The rising style icon, who has recently embraced self-styling with remarkable sophistication, selected a breathtaking ensemble from Michele’s Resort 2025 “Avant les Débuts” collection – a presentation that dazzled the fashion world with its impressive 189-look repertoire. Gerber’s choice, the coveted look 129, featured a taupe minidress that masterfully married contemporary charm with classical elegance. The piece’s empire waist silhouette, adorned with intricate gold sequined embroidery and a gossamer-light pearl-trimmed hem, spoke volumes about the current renaissance of ballet-inspired fashion in luxury circles.
Perhaps the most intriguing element of Gerber’s ensemble was her innovative styling approach. While the runway presentation paired the dress with periwinkle lace tights and silver ballet flats, Gerber crafted her own narrative by introducing white knee-high pointelle socks – a refreshingly playful twist that perfectly complemented her pink Valentino Bowbow pumps. The 1.75-inch block heels, adorned with the house’s signature bow detail, offered both elevation and ease, proving that comfort and glamour need not be mutually exclusive.
The look was crowned with the collection’s matching capelet, draped with the kind of nonchalant elegance that has become Gerber’s signature. The silvery tassels cascading over the dress created a mesmerizing interplay of movement and light, reminiscent of a ballerina’s fluid gestures during a grand jeté.
This appearance marks another triumph in Gerber’s recent string of show-stopping fashion moments, following her ethereal appearance in pistachio Gucci at the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala and her Audrey Hepburn-inspired turn in vintage Alexander McQueen for Givenchy. While the model is known for her off-duty predilection for classic footwear choices – think Vans sneakers and Dr. Martens boots – her red carpet selections consistently demonstrate an evolved understanding of high fashion’s transformative power.
For fashion enthusiasts inspired by Gerber’s bow-adorned footwear moment, the market offers a wealth of similar options. While Valentino’s Bowbow pumps are available in a versatile ivory shade, brands like Mach & Mach, Roger Vivier, and Ferragamo present equally enchanting alternatives that capture the same ballet-inspired elegance that made Gerber’s look so memorable.
