Kirsten Dunst’s BAFTAs Look: Aquazzura Heels & Valentino Couture

Kirsten Dunst brought a touch of understated elegance to the red carpet at the 79th BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday, balancing a structured Valentino haute couture ensemble with a delicate pair of Aquazzura’s Alex Sandal 85 heels. The appearance came as her husband, Jesse Plemons, was nominated for Leading Actor for his role in “Bugonia.”

The choice of footwear proved a subtle counterpoint to the dramatic silhouette of Dunst’s Valentino look. The Alex Sandal 85, priced at $895, is a black satin slingback featuring an 85mm stiletto heel. Slim crossover straps at the toe and a narrow strap wrapping the heel, secured with a small buckle, completed the design. The open-toe style showcased a black pedicure, keeping the overall aesthetic light and airy.

Dunst’s Valentino ensemble, from the spring 2026 haute couture collection, consisted of a full-length black skirt with a back slit, paired with a cream V-neck bodice cinched by a wide black waistband. A cropped pink moiré jacket with rounded, sculpted sleeves added a touch of playful volume. She accessorized with a small black Valentino Devain napa shoulder bag and diamond jewelry.

This BAFTA appearance continues a noticeable trend for Dunst, who has frequently been seen in Valentino designs both this year and last. While a formal partnership between the actress and the Italian fashion house hasn’t been announced, her consistent choice of the brand suggests a strong affinity.

The Aquazzura sandal itself is part of the Alex Rivière x Aquazzura edit, a capsule collection that originated for the resort 2025 season and continued into resort 2026 before becoming a permanent fixture in the brand’s broader lineup. This speaks to Aquazzura’s current design direction, which favors refined, minimal silhouettes.

The barely-there sandal trend has been gaining momentum on recent red carpets. Jennifer Aniston recently opted for custom ultra-minimal Jimmy Choo sandals for an event promoting “The Morning Show,” while Mia Goth chose a pair from Femme LA at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards 2026. Teyana Taylor also embraced the look with ruby red Tom Ford ankle-strap sandals at a Las Vegas engagement earlier this year.

Aquazzura’s recent reintroduction of its Love Affair pump, in a mesh upper, further demonstrates this shift towards delicate and understated footwear. The pointed-toe style has been a favorite among celebrities, including Amal Clooney, Emma Stone, and Suki Waterhouse, appearing in various iterations – suede, satin, and mesh.

Inside Royal Festival Hall, Dunst’s presence served as support for Plemons, who was nominated for his performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia.” Though he didn’t take home the award – Robert Aramayo won for “I Swear” – the couple’s appearance together underscored their continued partnership both on and off screen.

The choice of the Alex Sandal 85 wasn’t merely a stylistic one; it represented a broader trend towards quiet luxury and refined simplicity on the red carpet. Dunst’s BAFTA look, a masterful blend of structure and delicacy, exemplified this evolving aesthetic, proving that sometimes, the most impactful statement is made with a subtle touch.