The Green Queen: Yara Shahidi Champions Gucci’s Iconic Horsebit Legacy Amid Creative Transition
In the hallowed halls of high fashion, where aesthetics reign supreme and every stitch tells a story, Yara Shahidi emerged as a verdant vision at Tuesday’s highly anticipated Gucci runway presentation. The actress claimed her rightful place in the front row—fashion’s most coveted real estate—alongside an illustrious coterie of luminaries including Julia Garner, Jessica Chastain, Daisy Edgar-Jones, the inimitable Parker Posey, and Dev Patel.
For this sartorial soirée, Shahidi orchestrated a masterful monochromatic moment in a tonal green jacket and trouser set, a harmonious symphony of emerald hues that whispered of sophistication while simultaneously declaring her fashion forward sensibilities.
The crescendo of her ensemble manifested in her footwear selection—a pair of Gucci Horsebit slingback heels in the brand’s signature Rosso Ancora, a sumptuous, deep burgundy that has become the chromatic calling card of Sabato De Sarno’s brief but impactful creative direction. These architectural marvels feature the emblematic silver Horsebit detail across the vamp—an homage to the house’s equestrian heritage that continues to gallop through contemporary collections.
De Sarno, whose recent departure from the storied maison at the beginning of this month sent ripples through the fashion firmament, leaves behind a legacy crystallized in these very shoes—a testament to his ability to reinvigorate classic codes with modern sensibility.
The vertiginous silhouette—boasting a commanding 5.7-inch heel elevation, partially mitigated by a substantial platform—has achieved cult status among the celebrity set. The $1,500 investment piece has graced the feet of numerous style sovereigns, creating a constellation of fashion moments that transcends mere coincidence to become a cultural phenomenon.
In May, pop priestess Dua Lipa opted for an obsidian iteration at Gucci’s Cruise 2025 extravaganza, De Sarno’s third collection for the fashion house. The same spectacular runway event witnessed Daisy Edgar-Jones in the monogrammed version of the identical crimson shade selected by Shahidi. Completing this triumvirate of tastemakers, Lily Gladstone elevated a seemingly simple shirt dress with these carmine creations at the Cannes Film Festival jury photocall, proving their chameleon-like versatility.
While platform silhouettes and slingback configurations dominated the fashion landscape throughout 2023 and maintained their reign into early 2024, their prominence has waned slightly as the year progresses. Nevertheless, Gucci continues to evolve the narrative, unveiling during this latest presentation a collection of pointed-toe variations including a patent leather slingback featuring a dramatically plunging vamp—signaling the house’s commitment to redefining footwear paradigms while honoring its storied past.
As fashion’s pendulum perpetually swings between innovation and tradition, Shahidi’s choice of the iconic Horsebit slingback represents more than mere accessorizing—it’s a strategic alignment with a brand in transition, a subtle acknowledgment of heritage while embracing the zeitgeist of contemporary luxury.
