The New Classic: Nicky Hilton Redefines Red Carpet Footwear at WWD Awards
In a dazzling display of understated elegance meets modern sophistication, Nicky Hilton graced the inaugural WWD Style Awards in Los Angeles yesterday, accompanied by her ever-stylish mother, Kathy Hilton, in what can only be described as a masterclass in contemporary red carpet dressing.
The fashion entrepreneur and society darling commanded attention in a show-stopping ensemble from her latest collaboration with Australian designer Rebecca Vallance. The Alivia minidress, a testament to Hilton’s refined taste, masterfully marries classic silhouettes with modern sensibilities. Priced at $653, this architectural marvel features a feminine V-neckline complemented by demure puff sleeves – a detail that perfectly encapsulates this season’s romantic trend. The fitted empire waist, adorned with a statement diamante bow and crystalline trim, serves as a brilliant focal point, catching the light with every graceful movement.
But it was Hilton’s choice of footwear that truly exemplified her understanding of timeless luxury. The hotel heiress opted for a pair of noir suede slingback pumps that would make Audrey Hepburn proud. These sophisticated stilettos, featuring a razor-sharp pointed toe and delicate ankle strap, elevated her ensemble both literally and figuratively with their estimated 4 to 5-inch heel height. The shoes, reminiscent of designs from luxury powerhouses such as Christian Louboutin and Saint Laurent, demonstrated that sometimes the most impactful statements come from the most classic choices.
For those looking to channel Hilton’s refined aesthetic, similar styles can be found in the collections of Gianvito Rossi, Aquazzura, and Inez – all masters of crafting shoes that stand at the intersection of timeless and contemporary design.
This latest appearance adds another chapter to Hilton’s evolution as a style icon. Known for seamlessly blending her Y2K-era roots with modern sophistication, her footwear choices typically oscillate between show-stopping pumps from heritage houses like Valentino, Chanel, and Dior for formal occasions, to crystallized creations by emerging favorites Mach & Mach and Rene Caovilla for red carpet moments. When embracing casual chic, she remains loyal to her own French Sole line of sophisticated flats and contemporary Adidas sneakers.
The star-studded WWD Style Awards celebrated fashion’s most influential figures, including luminaries such as Tracee Ellis Ross, Anna Sawai, and Wes Gordon, alongside celebrity stylists and beauty innovators Kate Young, Chris Appleton, Pati Dubroff, Iván Pol, and Jamie Taylor.
