At the 4th Annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala, celebrities like Rachel Zoe, Lori Harvey, Karreuche Tran, and Keke Palmer have contributed to raising $3 million for black-owned businesses amidst the continued deportations and reversal of DEI initiatives mandated by the present government.
To support black-owned businesses, the non-profit organization advocates for retailers to allocate at least 15% of their shelf space to brands founded by black entrepreneurs. This year’s event also raised funds for black-owned companies impacted by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
Lori Harvey, Rachel Zoe, Keke Palmer, and Karrueche Tran are dressed to impress at the 4th Annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala held at Paramount Pictures Studios (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Celebrity guests were dressed to impress at the event hosted by Nigerian-American actress Yvonne Orji and Fifteen Percent Pledge founder Aurora James at the Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
There was no shortage of glamour on the red carpet, with stars wearing a wide range of glitzy outfits. Some chose bold colors, like yellow and terracotta, while others chose the traditional black carpet staple.
Lori Harvey Stuns in a Terracotta Ferragamo Dress & Ballet-Inspired Heels
Lori Harvey dazzled in a rich, earthy terracotta ensemble from Ferragamo’s Spring 2025 collection. While the hue subtly complemented the backdrop, its warm tones beautifully contrasted against her dark complexion, enhancing her radiant and vibrant glow.
The body positivity advocate attracted a lot of attention with her stylish combination, which included an asymmetrical dress and matching heels. Her dress, made of silk and cotton, perfectly fits her figure. With pleats and ruches throughout, the asymmetrical silhouette draws attention to her hourglass curves.
It features a full sleeve on the right side and a sleeveless tie shoulder on the left, matching the tie detailing on the right hip. The dress comes with an asymmetrical hem, with one side creating a thigh-high slit and the other hitting the knee, giving the ensemble a hint of sexiness.
Lori Harvey looks classy in her asymmetrical terracotta dress by Ferragamo featuring a full sleeve on the right side, a sleeveless tie shoulder on the left, and a thigh-high slit (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
The earthy color lends a sense of refinement and natural beauty, and it may be worn with a wide range of accessories. As for Lori, she chose to style the outfit with diamonds by XIV Karats, adding a touch of luxury to the look.
To display her diamond earrings, she parted her blown-out hair to the side and tucked one side behind her ear. She also wore several diamond rings for extra sparkle.
Rounding out her head-to-toe terracotta look, Harvey wore brick red lipstick and slipped her feet into a pair of terracotta thong sandals with thick ruby red satin ribbon that wrapped around the ankle—these were all over Salvatore Ferragamo’s Spring/Summer 2025 show in Milan.
Lori Harvey goes head-to-toe terracotta, pairing her Ferragamo mini dress with matching ballet-inspired thong sandals (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Ballerina heels appear to be a trend this season. However, I would prefer to take the straps off Harvey’s heels to make her look more put together.
She showcased her white-pedicured feet in the ballet-inspired thong sandals, finished with stiletto heels that added to her 5’3” height.
Ballet Heels Are the Hottest Shoe Trend—Lori Harvey Proves Why
The ballet-inspired footwear trend continues to captivate the fashion world, with numerous celebrities embracing this elegant style.
For instance, Hunter Schafer recently transformed Christian Louboutin’s Dolly pumps into ballet-inspired heels by adding fabric laces, creating a unique fusion of classic and contemporary aesthetics.
Similarly, Jennifer Lopez has been spotted incorporating ballet flats into her wardrobe, pairing Dior’s strappy designs with both business attire and casual ensembles, demonstrating the versatility of ballet flats in modern fashion.
Additionally, Katie Holmes has revived the 2015 trend of wearing socks with ballet flats, showcasing how this combination can be both stylish and comfortable. These instances highlight the enduring appeal of ballet-inspired footwear, seamlessly blending comfort with sophistication.
Rachel Zoe Brings Vintage Glamour in a Sequined Halter Dress & Sky-High Platforms
Rachel Zoe’s love of vintage fashion heavily influenced her style. And for the event, she dressed more traditionally in a black sequin dress.
I adore how it added an arresting contrast to her glowing complexion, enhancing her appearance. The bodice is coated with glittering sequins and has a beautiful ruffled halter neck and a 3D floral sequin accent.
The dress’s lower part features a leopard pattern that combines black and silver sequins. Its enormous 3D floral detail at the waist, embellished with a crystal in the middle, gives the ensemble dimension and texture while enhancing its elegance and glitz.
The slit is a nice touch since it provides the dress with some movement and makes Zoe feel less constrained. I like how the slit keeps the gown from looking heavy and overwhelming while allowing us to see her shoes!
Rachel Zoe opts for dark glamour in a black sequined halter dress featuring a ruffled neckline, a leopard sequined skirt, and a large 3D floral accent at the waist (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Rachel wore a pair of black patent pumps, which went well with her black gown. Her shoes resemble the Saint Laurent “Betty” pumps, easily recognizable for their sleek construction, pointed toes, and thick platforms.
Like Zoe’s shoes, they have slim ankle straps and killer stiletto heels, which I don’t think are necessary given Zoe’s 5’8” height. Nevertheless, they sure gave her a confident appearance.
Rachel Zoe pairs her shimmering sequined gown with glossy patent platform pumps featuring a pointed toe and a slim ankle strap (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
She fashioned her long blonde hair in waves cascading over her torso and wore kohl-rimmed eyes, pink blush, and ombre lipstick.
I adore how she accessorized with white and black pieces, which added to the stylish and contemporary vibe of the ensemble. She wore black, white, and gold rings and the same bracelet, with black enamel in the center and crystals on the sides, on each wrist.
Platform Pumps Are Back—Here’s Why Celebs Can’t Get Enough
Platform pumps have long been a staple in fashion, offering both height and style. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez have been spotted wearing Gucci’s Angel platform pumps, which feature towering heels and thick platforms, adding a bold statement to any ensemble.
Similarly, Kerry Washington elevated her winter fashion with Aquazzura’s So High Plateau pumps, known for their substantial block heels and luxurious satin finish.
For those interested in the history and versatility of platform shoes, exploring the evolution of pumps can provide valuable insights into why they’re essential in modern wardrobes.
Keke Palmer Glows in a Metallic Sergio Hudson Look & Luxe Gold Pumps
Keke Palmer, who previously dazzled us with archival-inspired outfits for her One of Them Days press tour, adopted another throwback style, wearing metallic pumps and a maxi skirt with a silver metallic top from Sergio Hudson’s Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear collection.
Her collared shirt featured long sleeves and buttoned chest pockets, with a slightly unbuttoned front for a hint of allure. She tucked it into a long high-waisted mermaid skirt and styled the look with a statement belt with a huge round gold-tone buckle and grommets, further defining Keke’s figure.
The satin combination has a vintage feel evocative of the 1960s and 1970s. I love how the flowing skirt exudes timeless elegance, and the top adds a dash of contemporary glitz.
Keke Palmer shines in her metallic silver satin collared shirt and mermaid skirt with a large buckled belt (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Palmer, who usually takes a maximalist approach to fashion, switched things up and preferred minimal accessories, including rings and statement earrings.
Her voluminous wavy hair and smokey makeup enhanced the look’s retro flair, while her metallic gold pumps added to the ensemble’s luxurious and polished vibe.
Keke Palmer pairs her metallic silver ensemble with pointy gold pumps, creating a visually interesting and refined look (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
The sharp pointed-toe shoes interestingly contrast with the soft satin outfit. They offer an extra layer of sophistication with how the combination reflects light.
Although they aren’t very noticeable from underneath her skirt, I believe they have thin stiletto heels, adding that final touch of elegance and glam to the outfit.
Metallic Gold Pumps Are the Ultimate Statement—Just Ask Keke Palmer
Metallic gold pumps have become a red carpet staple, with numerous celebrities showcasing their allure.
For instance, Beyoncé turned heads at the “Mufasa: The Lion King” premiere, exuding power in a gold Balmain gown paired with shimmering Jimmy Choo heels.
Similarly, Taraji P. Henson dazzled at the Tony Awards in a sequined Oscar de la Renta gown, complemented by chic gold Roger Vivier pumps.
Karrueche Tran Wows in a Daring Black Gown & Crystal-Studded Sandals
Like Rachel Zoe, Karrueche Tran opted for the go-to color for the red carpet. She wore black, but hers was more daring, showing her entire décolletage.
The dress lacked a bust area and had sheer tulle shoulder straps strategically designed to cover her breasts. With merely safety pins holding them to the lower portion of the dress, you would think her clothing isn’t finished yet. Few individuals can pull this off; I wouldn’t even dare try it.
In contrast to the upper half’s boldness, the lower part is very demure and modest. It embraces Tran’s waist and hips before falling into a wrinkled taffeta trumpet skirt. A band of black sequins punctuates the gown, giving it a dash of sparkle.
Karrueche Tran bares her decolletage in a plunging black gown featuring sheer shoulder straps, safety pins, and a mermaid skirt with a band of black sequins (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
Enhancing the look’s glamour, Karrueche accessorized with diamond jewelry from Kaimanna by Samara and Oak and Luna. She wore hoop earrings and several statement rings, including Oak and Luna’s $220 Bold Bonds Interlock ring adorning her red-manicured hands.
Karrueche completed her sleek appearance with a wet-look center-parted hairstyle and black open-toe sandals.
Karrueche Tran enhances her dress’s sensuality with black crystal-embellished open-toe sandals (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)
I admire her choice of minimalist sandals so that her gown could take center stage. Showing off her white pedicure, she wore crystal-embellished black open-toe sandals with narrow straps across the toes and vamps and stiletto heels to provide height.
Open-Toe Sandals Are the Go-To Choice for Celebrities—Here’s Why
Open-toe sandals have long been a summer staple, offering both style and comfort. Their versatility makes them suitable for various occasions, from casual outings to formal events. For instance, pairing open-toe mules with a summer dress creates an effortlessly chic look, perfect for brunch or a day out.
Additionally, the resurgence of peep-toe designs in 2025 showcases innovative silhouettes that highlight the toes, adding a daring twist to traditional styles. When selecting the perfect pair, consider the event’s formality and your comfort preferences to ensure a confident and stylish appearance.