Zoe Saldana won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards and also received the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation.
The multifaceted actress was recognized for her creative works in film, and she lived up to the excitement that evening by showcasing her innovative approach to fashion. She chose a futuristic dress from Maison Margiela’s Artisanal 2022 Couture collection, which was surprising considering her penchant for understated luxury.
While this outfit deviates from Zoe’s usual understated aesthetic, it marks an exciting evolution in her style.
Zoe Saldana stuns in a Maison Margiela dress as she receives the awards for Best Supporting Actress and Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Zoe looked stunning on the red carpet and was unfazed by the recent controversy surrounding her movie Emilia Pérez, which was sparked by the resurgence of her co-star Karla Sofia Gascon’s horrible racist tweets.
Let’s look closely at Saldana’s stunning outfit at the Critics’ Circle Film Awards.
Zoe Saldana’s Bold Transformation: A Daring Maison Margiela Masterpiece
I adore red carpet classics like black dresses, but I also appreciate quirky and whimsical looks that don’t go overboard. And I thought Saldana’s outfit was perfect.
She stuns in a Maison Margiela dress by John Galliano, known for revolutionizing haute couture. Galliano served as the creative director of Maison Margiela for ten years before stepping down in December 2024. Diesel’s Glenn Martens replaced him in January 2025.
The Maison Margiela Artisanal 2022 collection boasts the house’s signature avant-garde creations made of unconventional materials, including sand-sprayed and printed engineered jacquard fabrications. The collection showcases Galliano’s expertise in combining haute artistry with unconventional, raw materials, including crystals, net discs, trash bags, plumes, musical notes, and graphic character cord embellishments.
Zoe Saldana’s Maison Margiela dress features a strapless bustier bodice embellished with strips of garbage bag-like material and a netted skirt with black cords and an asymmetrical hem (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Saldana’s intricately detailed dress showcases Galliano’s masterful blend of haute couture and unconventional materials.
The strapless buster-style bodice seems made of lace covered with shimmering fabric strips resembling a garbage bag. I love how they’re expertly pieced together to produce an intriguing design.
In keeping with its cutting-edge style, the dress also features a sweetheart neckline and graphic black cords around the waist. It transitions into a structured netted skirt embellished with the same circular cords that accent the waist. The skirt is finished with strips of black shreds of garbage bag-like material that hangs asymmetrically from the hem.
Zoe Saldana’s avant-garde dress is part of Maison Margiela’s Artisanal 2022 Couture collection (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
How Celebrities Are Styling Maison Margiela with Statement Shoes
Zoe Saldana’s avant-garde look at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards proves her bold fashion evolution.
Notably, other celebrities have also embraced Maison Margiela’s distinctive designs, each adding their unique flair. For instance, at the 2018 Met Gala, Rihanna donned a custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano ensemble, pairing it with embellished Christian Louboutin pumps, seamlessly blending avant-garde fashion with classic elegance.
Similarly, Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted in white Maison Margiela Mary Jane pumps, blending elegance with high fashion.
The Statement-Making Split-Toe Heels Elevating Zoe’s Look
At first glance, Zoe’s black satin shoes seemed understated. But a closer look reveals they were the statement-making Louboutin x Margiela Tabi Pumps.
Unveiled during Paris Haute Couture Week in 2024, these statement-making pumps feature Margiela’s split-toe design and Louboutin’s signature red sole. They have slim crossover straps across the foot and are secured with a buckle beneath the ankle. The 4-inch stiletto heels that complete these pumps offer extra height.
Zoe Saldana teams her innovative dress with the iconic Christian Louboutin x Maison Margiela Tabi pumps (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Kendall Jenner was spotted sporting the same pumps at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Like Zoe, she paired them with an avant-garde Maison Margiela dress, but hers was bold—a sheer lace garment with daring cutouts all over.
At the 2024 Grammys, Miley Cyrus teamed her barely-there netted gold safety-pin Margiela dress with yellow velour and faux lizard Tabi heels.
At the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Greta Gerwig wore a white version of the Tabi shoes with wide heels and split platforms. Zendaya also embraced the Tabi trend during her triumphant return to the Met Gala in 2024, opting for green ‘Tabi’ pumps by Christian Louboutin for Maison Margiela, crafted from Eau de Nil velour and faux lizard with interlaced ankle straps.
At the 2017 Met Gala, Katy Perry made headlines by pairing her elaborate ensemble with the controversial Maison Margiela ‘Tabi’ boots, showcasing the brand’s signature split-toe design.
Understated Elegance: Zoe’s Diamond Accents and Chic Beauty Look
I like how Saldana and her stylist, Petra Flannery, highlighted her dress and shoes by keeping her accessories simple.
She left her neck bare and added diamond earrings and rings from Marli New York’s Cleo by Marli and Avenues collections for extra sparkle.
Hairstylist Aviva Jansen Perea fashioned Zoe’s two-toned curly tresses in a tousled updo, while makeup artist Vera Steimberg highlighted her striking features with smokey eyeshadow, peachy blush, and soft pink lip gloss.
Zoe Saldana, towering over America Ferrera, exudes elegance in her avant-garde Maison Margiela dress, while America stuns in a sleek black gown; Zoe’s two-toned curly tresses styled in a messy updo complete her edgy look (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Zoe Saldana’s Timeless Love for Christian Louboutin Heels
Zoe Saldana’s affinity for Christian Louboutin heels is well-documented, as she frequently incorporates these iconic designs into her red carpet ensembles.
For instance, at the Live By Night premiere, she paired her J. Mendel ensemble with elegant Louboutin ‘Iriza’ pumps, showcasing her impeccable taste.
Similarly, during the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 press tour in Tokyo, Zoe donned a Loewe outfit complemented by classic black Louboutin pumps, further highlighting her consistent choice of the brand.
Her post-baby appearance at Cadillac’s Oscar Week Cocktail Party was no exception, where she stunned in a Jonathan Simkhai leather dress paired with beige Louboutin ‘Uptown’ pumps, exemplifying her enduring style. These instances underscore Zoe’s penchant for Louboutin footwear, seamlessly integrating them into her diverse fashion repertoire.