Khloé Kardashian’s Style Evolution: How Balmain Gladiators & Giuseppe Zanotti Heels Defined Her Early Look

Khloé Kardashian has long favored statement heels, but two appearances three years apart show how dramatically her style evolved while her love of bold footwear remained unchanged.

From Christian Louboutin’s intricate lace-up gladiator sandals with a structured Balmain mini dress to Giuseppe Zanotti’s vivid cobalt blue heels paired with relaxed summer separates, both outfits demonstrate how designer shoes anchored the entire look.

Khloé Kardashian Paired Balmain’s Military Mini Dress With Christian Louboutin ‘Amazoulo’ Sandals

At the 2016 NBCU Upfront Presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Khloé Kardashian paired one of Balmain’s signature military-inspired mini dresses with Christian Louboutin’s intricate ‘Amazoulo’ gladiator sandals.

Although created by different fashion houses, the structured suede dress and architectural lace-up heels shared the same bold, body-conscious aesthetic that defined much of mid-2010s luxury fashion.

Khloé Kardashian’s lace-up Balmain mini dress showcased the utilitarian glamour that defined the brand’s Olivier Rousteing era

Designed under Olivier Rousteing, Balmain’s sand-hued suede mini dress featured a lace-up front, oversized cargo pockets, and exposed gold zippers—details that reflected the label’s utilitarian glamour during the era when the Kardashian-Jenner family became closely associated with the brand’s “Balmain Army.”

Khloé balanced the statement dress with Christian Louboutin’s 100mm ‘Amazoulo’ sandals, whose intricate caged construction and wraparound laces echoed the dress’s lace-up detailing without competing for attention.

Soft waves and smoky makeup complemented Khloé Kardashian’s structured suede Balmain look at the NBCUniversal Upfronts

Kourtney Kardashian joined her on the blue carpet to promote new episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, while Khloé’s coordinated Balmain-Louboutin pairing remains one of her most memorable red-carpet shoe moments.

Kourtney Kardashian joined Khloé on the NBCUniversal blue carpet, contrasting an all-white tailored suit with Khloé’s military-inspired Balmain ensemble at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on May 16, 2016 (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

Today, the ‘Amazoulo’ sandals have long disappeared from traditional luxury retailers, but well-preserved pairs continue to surface on trusted resale platforms, cementing their status as a coveted archival Christian Louboutin design.

The style was also spotted later that year in its dramatic knee-high “Amazoula” variation, worn by Rochelle Humes at the Bridget Jones’s Baby premiere, highlighting the enduring appeal of Louboutin’s intricate gladiator silhouettes.

Christian Louboutin’s ‘Amazoulo’ gladiator sandals echoed the lace-up detailing of Khloé Kardashian’s suede mini dress with intricate cutouts and signature red soles

Three years earlier, Khloé took a lighter approach to summer dressing while promoting the Kardashian Sun Kissed collection at an Ulta Beauty event in Burbank, California, on June 19, 2013.

Instead of lace-up gladiators, she finished her look with another standout strappy silhouette: vibrant cobalt blue Giuseppe Zanotti sandals that brought a bold burst of color to an otherwise relaxed outfit.

Khloé Kardashian Brightened Her Summer Look With Cobalt Blue Giuseppe Zanotti Sandals

Khloé Kardashian embraced a breezy summer palette in a sheer printed blouse and mint shorts while promoting the Kardashian Sun Kissed collection on June 19, 2013, at Ulta Beauty in Burbank, California (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

Instead of the sharply structured Balmain look she would later wear in New York, she opted for lightweight separates and vibrant color, finishing the outfit with striking Giuseppe Zanotti sandals that remain a standout example of the designer’s bold early-2010s aesthetic.

Khloé Kardashian held the Kardashian Sun Kissed tanning lotion, pairing relaxed separates with vibrant statement heels for the Ulta Beauty launch

Khloé styled a semi-sheer white silk blouse from Equipment with mint green leather shorts by Intermix, creating an easy warm-weather outfit that contrasted sharply with the structured Balmain ensemble she would wear several years later. Gold jewelry and softly braided waves kept the focus on the clean, relaxed silhouette.

Her real statement piece, however, came from Giuseppe Zanotti. The cobalt blue patent leather sandals featured the label’s signature swirling asymmetric straps and slender stiletto heel, adding a vivid burst of color against the otherwise understated outfit.

The Good American founder completed the look with Giuseppe Zanotti’s cobalt blue strappy sandals from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

Originally retailing for about $1,150, the sculptural design became one of Zanotti’s most recognizable sandals of the era after Nicki Minaj wore the multicolored version at the MAC Viva Glam launch in 2012.

Giuseppe Zanotti’s vivid cobalt blue sandals brought a bold pop of color to Khloé Kardashian’s understated warm-weather outfit

Although neither Khloé’s Christian Louboutin ‘Amazoulo’ gladiator sandals nor her cobalt blue Giuseppe Zanotti heels remain in production, the pre-owned market continues to offer a way to collect similar archive designs.

As of August 2026, Farfetch’s Pre-Owned selection included vintage Christian Louboutin styles such as the Tina Cage sandals, So Me sandals, Lady Peep Spikes pumps, Pigalle pumps, Kate pumps, and So Kate pumps, alongside Giuseppe Zanotti Vintage sandals featuring multi-strap, crystal-embellished, Harmony, and Amira designs that capture the bold aesthetic of the designer’s early-2010s collections.

More Khloé Kardashian Shoe Highlights: From Christian Louboutin to Giuseppe Zanotti

Whether she’s embracing Christian Louboutin’s intricate gladiator sandals or Giuseppe Zanotti’s sculptural statement heels, Khloé Kardashian has consistently gravitated toward bold designer footwear that defines each look as much as the clothing itself. Explore more of her standout shoe moments below.