Zoe Saldana put a fresh spin on all-black dressing at the 2026 Locarno Film Festival, where she received the Special Honorary Pardo award on August 10.
The monochromatic palette was familiar territory for Saldana, whose style often relies on texture, structure, and unexpected silhouettes rather than bold prints. This time, she mixed a fitted Brandon Maxwell bodysuit with oversized lace-trimmed Vaquera Bermuda shorts and satin MM6 Maison Margiela ballet flats.
The contrast made the look interesting: the sleek bodysuit balanced the volume of the shorts, while the delicate flats softened their masculine-inspired shape without making the outfit feel overly feminine.
Zoe Saldana receives the Special Honorary Pardo award at the 2026 Locarno Film Festival wearing an edgy all-black ensemble with a Brandon Maxwell bodysuit, Vaquera Bermuda shorts, and MM6 ballerinas on August 10, 2026 (Credit: Nick Zonna / IPA / INSTARimages)
MM6 Maison Margiela Ballet Flats Give Zoe Saldana’s All-Black Look an Unexpected Finish
Zoe Saldana slipped into the MM6 Maison Margiela “Anatomic Numeric” ballerinas, bringing a softer counterpoint to the oversized proportions of her all-black outfit. The satin flats combined a classic ballet-inspired shape with a squared toe box and dainty bow at the front.
The choice also continued Saldana’s relationship with Maison Margiela. She previously embraced the house’s avant-garde side in a Maison Margiela Artisanal look with Christian Louboutin x Maison Margiela Tabi pumps at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards. At Locarno, she translated that experimental streak into a much more relaxed shoe.
What set the ballerinas apart was the wide elastic strap across the foot, printed with MM6’s numeric coding from 0 to 23 and the number 6 circled to identify the MM6 line. It’s a detail Saldana has incorporated into her wardrobe before: during her Avatar: Fire and Ash press tour, she accessorized a Maison Margiela skirt and cardigan with the house’s Numeric belt.
A single row of white stitching at the back added another recognizable Margiela detail, while cylindrical tonal heels measuring just 1cm kept the ballerinas almost completely flat.
You can get these MM6 ballerinas in nappa leather for $581 at Farfetch.
Zoe Saldana slips into a pair of Maison Margiela MM6 “Anatomic Numeric” ballerinas with an elasticated Mary Jane strap designed with numbers from 0 to 23, with the number 6 encircled to represent the MM6 line (Credit: Nick Zonna / IPA / INSTARimages)
Brandon Maxwell Bodysuit Meets Oversized Vaquera Lace-Trimmed Shorts
Saldana paired her feminine yet edgy ballerinas with Brandon Maxwell’s “The Dahlia” knit bodysuit, priced at $353.99, down from $1,180, at Saks Fifth Avenue. The black bodysuit featured a U-shaped scoop neckline and sporty racerback cut, hugging her figure and creating a clean, fitted look.
She tucked it into Vaquera’s cotton Bermuda shorts, which fell just below the knees and featured black lace panels along the lower portion and around the hem. I loved how the lace brought a softer, more feminine detail to the loose, masculine-inspired silhouette, giving the shorts some texture and making the outfit more interesting.
These Vaquera Bermuda shorts are currently on sale for $418 (from $836) at Farfetch.
Zoe Saldana pairs her edgy, feminine ballerinas with a black Brandon Maxwell bodysuit and Vaquera Bermuda shorts featuring lace trims along the hem (Credit: Nick Zonna / IPA / INSTARimages)
Minimal Jewelry and Soft Glam Keep the Focus on Zoe Saldana’s Statement Silhouette
Saldana kept her accessories understated, letting the outfit’s unusual proportions and textures stand out. A thin, black, cord-like beaded necklace enhanced the look’s edgy vibe, while tiny silver hoop earrings, a tennis bracelet, and a few rings added just enough sparkle.
For her glam, Saldana kept things equally simple, wearing her hair straight with an off-center part. Her makeup stayed natural and polished, with softly defined eyes and a nude-pink lip that complemented her minimal styling.
Zoe Saldana styles her fashion-forward look with a black bead necklace, hoop earrings, bracelets, and some rings (Credit: Nick Zonna / IPA / INSTARimages)
Why Celebrities Keep Choosing Ballet Flats for Comfort Without Sacrificing Style
From city streets and press tours to fashion events and even the Oscars, ballet flats give celebrities an easy alternative to heels without making an outfit feel unfinished. Their low-profile shape works especially well with jeans, oversized tailoring, dresses, and relaxed separates, while classic leather, satin, mesh, and metallic finishes can make the practical silhouette feel distinctly polished.
- 🖤 Alexa Chung relies on classic Repetto Cendrillon ballet flats for effortless off-duty polish, pairing the famously flexible ballerinas with a simple gray mini dress for a look built around comfort and understated style.
- 🤎 Emma Stone grounds a practical Burberry street-style look with black Lanvin ballet flats, showing how the glove-like silhouette can replace heels without losing the refined finish of a designer shoe.
- ✨ Jessica Alba turns silver Kate Spade ballet flats into an easy everyday neutral, using their delicate bow and metallic finish to add polish to loose trousers, plaid, and a white leather jacket.
- 🧦 Katie Holmes makes white A.P.C. ballet flats work for winter by adding black ankle socks, giving the dainty silhouette a more practical, layered feel for walking around New York.
- ⬛ Dakota Fanning pairs The Row ballet flats with a minimalist black midi dress, proving that a nearly flat Mary Jane can look as considered with sleek tailoring as a traditional pump.
- 🕸️ Lily Collins updates the ballerina shape with Alaïa’s fishnet Mary Jane flats, combining the comfort of a rubber-soled flat with sheer mesh and a buckled strap for a more directional take on the trend.
- 💿 Emma Roberts gives Longchamp ballet flats a brighter, more playful spin in reflective silver leather, pairing the crisscross-strap style with a colorful mini skirt and knit top.
- 🏆 Kristen Stewart proves ballet flats can work beyond off-duty dressing in Bloch Fonteyn shoes at the Oscars, pairing the practical flats with a Reem Acra couture gown and challenging the idea that formal dressing requires heels.