Celebrating Latino Excellence: Highlights from the 2013 Imagen Awards in Beverly Hills

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Latinos and Latinas are known for their fabulous physiques — look at Sofia Vergara and Salma Hayek. However, their accomplishments go way beyond their physical attributes, and the Imagen (pronounced Ima-hen) Awards honors precisely that.

The Imagen Foundation’s annual award ceremony “aims to recognize and reward positive portrayals of Latinos in all forms of media, as well as to encourage and recognize the achievements of Latinos in the entertainment and communications industries.”

This year’s Imagen Awards, held in Beverly Hills on August 16, was full of hot Latinas who wore equally hot footwear. Since this event aims to reward excellence, we’re featuring the attendees with “zapatos excelentes” (excellent shoes) at the event.

Which one is your favorite?

1. Sophisticated Transformation: Fatima Ptacek in Peep-Toe Booties

Fatima Ptacek looking very sophisticated in a black lace dress paired with black suede sandal booties at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013Fatima Ptacek looking very sophisticated in a black lace dress paired with black suede sandal booties at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

Who knew ‘Dora the Explorer’ had such a sophisticated fashion sense? Fatima Ptacek, the voice of Dora in the famous Nickelodeon cartoon, looked nothing like the little explorer in her black lace dress paired with black suede sandal booties. We love her simple and sophisticated style.

Fatima Ptacek's black suede sandal booties perfectly complemented her elegant lace dress at the Imagen Awards 2013Fatima Ptacek’s black suede sandal booties perfectly complemented her elegant lace dress at the Imagen Awards 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

2. Bold Footwear Choice: Aubrey Plaza in Christian Louboutin “Batignolles” Pumps

‘Parks and Recreation’ star Aubrey Plaza sparkled in her Peter Pilotto dress. We regularly say that footwear should be toned down if the attire is loud, but we love Aubrey’s equally eye-catching neon yellow pumps paired with the embellished dress!

Aubrey Plaza sparkling in a Peter Pilotto dress and Christian Louboutin "Batignolles" pumps at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013Aubrey Plaza sparkling in a Peter Pilotto dress and Christian Louboutin “Batignolles” pumps at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

She wore Christian Louboutin “Batignolles” pumps in yellow.

Aubrey Plaza's neon yellow Christian Louboutin "Batignolles" pumps added a bold touch to her embellished Peter Pilotto dressAubrey Plaza’s neon yellow Christian Louboutin “Batignolles” pumps added a bold touch to her embellished Peter Pilotto dress (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

Do you think she should have worn a different pair of shoes, or do you like her Batignolles heels?

Christian Louboutin “Batignolles” Pumps in Yellow

3. Elegance and Simplicity: Cierra Ramirez in Guess “Safara 2” Pumps

‘The Fosters’ star, Cierra Ramirez, looked elegant and age-appropriate in a feminine peach Sheri Hill dress.

Cierra Ramirez keeping things simple in a peach dress and Guess "Safara 2" ankle-strap pumps at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013Cierra Ramirez keeping things simple in a peach dress and Guess “Safara 2” ankle-strap pumps at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

Her hair and makeup were also simple and chic. Her Guess Safara 2 peep-toe pumps with ankle straps perfectly matched her flirty dress. What do you think of her feminine ensemble?

Cierra Ramirez's feminine peach Sheri Hill dress paired perfectly with her Guess "Safara 2" pumps at the Imagen Awards 2013Cierra Ramirez’s feminine peach Sheri Hill dress paired perfectly with her Guess “Safara 2” pumps at the Imagen Awards 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

4. Hidden Glamour: Francia Raisa in Benjamin Adams “Rio” Pumps

Francia Raisa, the acclaimed actress who played Adrian in ‘The Secret Life of an American Teenager,’ looked stunning in a blue strapless gown by the Indian design duo Alpana and Neeraj.

Francia Raisa looking stunning in her Alpana and Neeraj gown paired with Benjamin Adams "Rio" pumps in champagne at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013Francia Raisa looking stunning in her Alpana and Neeraj gown paired with Benjamin Adams “Rio” pumps in champagne at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

Unfortunately, her long dress practically covered her gorgeous Benjamin Adams crystal-embellished “Rio” pumps. Do you like her look as much as we do?

Francia Raisa's Benjamin Adams "Rio" crystal-embellished pumps in champagne, adding a touch of glamour to her elegant gownFrancia Raisa’s Benjamin Adams “Rio” crystal-embellished pumps in champagne, adding a touch of glamour to her elegant gown (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

5. Classic Choice: Gloria Garayua in Gold Embellished Sandals

It’s hard to recognize Gloria Garayua when she’s not in scrubs as an intern for ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’

Gloria Garayua in a classic strapless red dress paired with gold embellished sandals at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013Gloria Garayua in a classic strapless red dress paired with gold embellished sandals at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

The actress went classic with a strapless red dress and gold-embellished sandals. This wasn’t our favorite red carpet look, but we like her shoes! What do you think of them?

Not our favorite red-carpet look, but we like Gloria Garayua's gold embellished sandals at the Imagen Awards 2013Not our favorite red-carpet look, but we like Gloria Garayua’s gold embellished sandals at the Imagen Awards 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

6. Mature Beyond Years: Bella Thorne in Prada Booties

It’s hard to believe that Bella Thorne is only 15 years old when she looks so grown-up. While we generally love it when celebrities look their age, we give Bella lots of credit for pulling off such a mature look.

Bella Thorne wearing a custom-made peplum dress from Olima Atelier and looking polished to the nth level at the Imagen Awards 2013Bella Thorne wearing a custom-made peplum dress from Olima Atelier and looking polished to the nth level at the Imagen Awards 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

The 15-year-old has recently showcased maturity beyond her years, tweeting, “Win or lose…it’s all about the game #imagenawards.”

Bella Thorne paired her dress with Prada quilted zipper sandals and accessorized with a chain necklace by IossellianiBella Thorne paired her dress with Prada quilted zipper sandals and accessorized with a chain necklace by Iosselliani (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

The actress may also have been dealing with some bashing from so-called fans, prompting her loyal followers to call for a #smilebella trend on Twitter. We’re not entirely sure what happened, and it seems it’s something that Bella would rather overlook, but we’re mighty glad that the girl is staying strong throughout the perils of a very public life. It’s all part of the give-and-take of the limelight, sweetheart, so we are rooting for you to hang on to your values tight.

Bella Thorne looking mature in an Olima peplum dress and Prada zippered booties at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013Bella Thorne looking mature in an Olima peplum dress and Prada zippered booties at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

The American teen actress, dancer, singer, and model paired her dress with quilted zipper sandals from Prada.

Bella Thorne's striking Prada quilted zipper sandals at the Imagen Awards 2013Bella Thorne’s striking Prada quilted zipper sandals at the Imagen Awards 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

She accessorized with a chain necklace by Iosselliani, a 61 mini color-blocked calf-hair bag by Pierre Hardy, and other jewelry by Unearthen and Le Vian.

Bella Thorne carrying a 61 mini color-blocked calf-hair bag by Pierre HardyBella Thorne carrying a 61 mini color-blocked calf-hair bag by Pierre Hardy (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

7. Youthful Glam: Brittany Underwood in Steve Madden’s “Realov R”

While Bella looked older than her age, ‘Hollywood Heights’ star Brittany Underwood went the opposite route.

Brittany Underwood looking ready for a high-school prom in her white sequined dress and Steve Madden "Realov R" embellished sandals at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013Brittany Underwood looking ready for a high-school prom in her white sequined dress and Steve Madden “Realov R” embellished sandals at the Imagen Awards 2013 at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in California on August 16, 2013 (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

The 25-year-old looked like she could attend a high-school prom in her white sequined dress paired with crystal-embellished Steve Madden “Realov R” sandals. We give her credit for pulling off an ensemble fit for a teenager.

Brittany Underwood's youthful ensemble at the Imagen Awards 2013, featuring a white sequined dress and Steve Madden "Realov R" sandalsBrittany Underwood’s youthful ensemble at the Imagen Awards 2013, featuring a white sequined dress and Steve Madden “Realov R” sandals (Credit: RHS / Apega / WENN)

Who gets your vote for best dressed at the Imagen Awards 2013?