Jessica Alba showcased the resurgence of kitten heels during a New York City outing, wearing Manolo Blahnik’s signature slingback pumps. Her fashion choice highlights a broader return of practical-yet-polished footwear embraced by celebrities this season.
On Monday, August 11, 2025, actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba was photographed in Battery Park City wearing Manolo Blahnik’s Carolyne kitten-heel slingbacks. The Italian-crafted shoes featured russet suede construction, pointed toes, and discreet side buckles, exemplifying understated luxury. This marked Alba’s second shoe change of the day after wearing stilettos during a morning television appearance.
Alba paired the warm-toned pumps with minimalist separates: a crisp white button-down shirt tucked into beige knee-length shorts featuring front pleats. Her accessories included amber-tinted sunglasses and a structured brown leather top-handle bag, completing the business-casual ensemble. Soft waves and minimal jewelry maintained focus on the shoes, which combined a slingback strap with flared 2-inch heels for both comfort and refinement.
The appearance signals kitten heels’ accelerating return to mainstream fashion after years dominated by chunkier soles and higher stilettos. As noted by fashion analysts, this style offers wearability without sacrificing elegance – a balance increasingly prioritized by style icons. Recent adopters include Daisy Edgar-Jones, Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Hailey Bieber, all photographed in similar low-profile designs throughout summer 2025.
Alba’s specific choice carries particular significance in fashion circles. The Carolyne model represents one of Manolo Blahnik’s most enduring designs, first introduced in the early 2000s and continuously reimagined with seasonal materials. Its reappearance coincides with the brand’s upcoming sponsorship of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s ‘Marie Antoinette Style’ exhibition, creating synergy between historical footwear influences and contemporary trends.
Industry impact extends beyond celebrity endorsement. Fashion retailers report a 30% quarterly increase in kitten heel sales, with designers incorporating the silhouette into autumn collections. The style’s versatility allows transitions from professional settings to casual outings, as demonstrated by Alba’s same-day shift from television studio to downtown stroll. This functional elegance resonates particularly with working professionals seeking footwear combining comfort and sophistication.
Looking forward, fashion forecasters predict kitten heels will dominate fall 2025 collections, with luxury brands introducing textured variations like crocodile-embossed leather and metallic finishes. Manolo Blahnik’s continued investment in the Carolyne line suggests confidence in its longevity beyond seasonal trends. As footwear increasingly reflects hybrid lifestyle demands, this revival illustrates how historical designs can be recontextualized for modern wearability without sacrificing artistic integrity.
