Mariah Carey turned two hotel departures into memorable street-style moments while leaving the Plaza Athénée in Paris on June 23 and June 24, 2017.
Rather than repeating the same outfit, she built two distinct all-black looks around different accessories, handbags, and shoes, proving how a few carefully chosen pieces can completely change the mood of an outfit.
June 24, 2017: Mariah Carey Elevates a Little Black Dress With Saint Laurent Tribute Platform Sandals
Seen from both the front and back, Mariah’s fitted black bandeau midi dress, cropped cardigan, and towering Saint Laurent Tribute platform sandals created a streamlined silhouette anchored by a glossy crocodile Hermès Birkin 30
The first look leaned into classic Mariah glamour with a fitted black bandeau mini dress, a lightweight black cardigan, oversized butterfly sunglasses, stacks of diamond jewelry, and a glossy black crocodile Hermès Birkin 30.
Mariah Carey accessorized her monochrome look with oversized butterfly sunglasses, layered diamond jewelry, and softly curled blonde hair while leaving the Plaza Athénée in Paris on June 24, 2017 (Credit: WENN)
The second felt softer and more relaxed, pairing the same cardigan with a flowing semi-sheer black polka-dot midi dress, a reddish-brown crocodile Birkin decorated with a heart-shaped balloon from fans, and neutral platform sandals that subtly lengthened the silhouette.
While the Birkin bags naturally drew attention, the footwear tells an equally interesting story. Mariah completed her first look with Saint Laurent’s signature Tribute platform sandals, one of the French house’s longest-running designs, before switching to nude platforms for the second outfit—a simple styling change that balanced the longer hemline while keeping the focus on her accessories.
Mariah has relied on variations of the little black dress throughout her career, but these two appearances show how differently the formula can be interpreted. Instead of changing colors, she let her accessories, handbags, and footwear create two distinct looks.
For the first departure, Mariah paired a fitted black bandeau mini dress with a lightweight black cardigan. Oversized butterfly sunglasses, stacked diamond bangles, and her eye-catching engagement ring from former fiancé James Packer added plenty of sparkle, while a glossy black crocodile Hermès Birkin 30 completed the monochrome palette.
Mariah carried a glossy black crocodile Hermès Birkin 30, pairing the iconic handbag with a white rose and the 35-carat diamond engagement ring she received from former fiancé James Packer
Her footwear was equally iconic: Saint Laurent’s Tribute platform sandals in black. Introduced in 2004, the intertwined platform design has remained one of the brand’s signature styles thanks to its sculptural straps, substantial front platform, and towering stiletto heel.
Mariah paused with twins Moroccan and Monroe to greet waiting fans, blending family time with the polished glamour that defined her Paris appearances
Photographers lined the entrance of the Plaza Athénée as Mariah completed her all-black ensemble with Saint Laurent Tribute platform sandals and a crocodile Hermès Birkin, turning a hotel departure into a fashion moment
Mariah carried a single white flower while her daughter carried a full bouquet. The diva stopped to take a few pictures and sign autographs before leaving.
The mother-of-twins was en route to Azerbaijan to take part in Baku’s F1 event with Lewis Hamilton — as a spectator, of course.
Mariah uploaded a video of her about to board her private jet, saying, “Baku, I’m on my way!”
As of August 2026, Saint Laurent’s Tribute platform sandals remain an active part of the house’s footwear collection rather than an archived design.
The intricate lace-up straps, substantial front platform, and open-toe design highlight why Saint Laurent’s Tribute sandals have remained one of the house’s signature evening styles for more than two decades
Farfetch currently lists multiple versions—including the classic 105mm platform, standard Tribute sandals, patent leather styles, woven leather editions, flats, wedges, and mules—with prices ranging from about $534 for sale styles to $1,285 for premium platform versions.
Mariah’s black platform sandals reflect the collection’s signature design language: intertwined front straps, a T-strap ankle closure, a beveled front platform, and a high stiletto heel that has made the Tribute one of Saint Laurent’s most enduring evening shoe silhouettes.
From the side, the sculptural platform and high stiletto heel emphasize the dramatic proportions that define the Saint Laurent Tribute collection
June 23, 2017: Mariah Carey Softens Her Signature Style With Nude Platforms and a Crocodile Birkin
For her hotel departure the previous day, Mariah kept the lightweight black cardigan but exchanged the fitted mini dress for a flowing semi-sheer black polka-dot midi dress, creating a noticeably softer silhouette without abandoning her signature monochrome style.
For her second Plaza Athénée departure in Paris on June 23, 2017, Mariah Carey softened her signature monochrome style with a flowing black polka-dot midi dress, nude platform sandals, and a reddish-brown crocodile Hermès Birkin
She also changed accessories to suit the longer hemline. The glossy black Birkin was replaced by a reddish-brown crocodile Hermès Birkin adorned with a red heart balloon from fans, while nude platform sandals visually lengthened the legs and lightened the overall look.
Mariah smiled as she carried a metallic heart-shaped balloon gifted by fans, adding a playful touch to an otherwise understated palette of black, nude, and rich burgundy tones
The neutral shoes offered a subtle contrast to the darker outfit, demonstrating how a simple footwear swap can completely change the balance of an ensemble.
The reddish-brown crocodile Hermès Birkin 30 introduced warmth and texture to the outfit, standing in sharp contrast to the all-black ensemble while remaining the look’s unmistakable focal accessory
More Mariah Carey Style and Saint Laurent Tribute Shoe Moments
These two Paris appearances show how Mariah Carey can build distinctly different looks around the same foundation.
By changing her handbag, dress silhouette, and footwear, she transformed an all-black wardrobe into two separate fashion statements—one anchored by Saint Laurent’s enduring Tribute platform sandals, the other by neutral platforms and a richly textured crocodile Birkin.
Explore more of Mariah’s standout shoe moments and other celebrity takes on the iconic Saint Laurent Tribute below.
👠 Explore More Saint Laurent Tribute Shoe Moments:
- 🖤 Lucy Liu’s glossy Saint Laurent Tribute platforms added dramatic height to her Patou bow blouse, bubble mini skirt, and polka-dot tights at a New York screening.
- 🤎 Anna Faris styled brown Saint Laurent Tribute sandals with a fitted navy mini dress, using the substantial platform and warm leather to sharpen an otherwise simple daytime look.
- ☀️ Karlie Kloss wore the flat Tribute Nu Pieds in Saint-Tropez, showing how the house’s signature woven motif translates from towering evening sandals to an understated summer slide.
- 📖 A closer look at how platform shoes change height, balance, and comfort, with the Saint Laurent Tribute highlighted as one of the defining designer examples of the silhouette.
✨ Explore Mariah Carey’s Standout Shoe and Fashion Moments:
- 📏 Standing at 5’7″ (170.2 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 9.5, Mariah Carey has made towering platforms, stilettos, and embellished evening shoes central to her fashion identity.
- 🦋 Mariah and daughter Monroe coordinated in Sophia Webster butterfly shoes, pairing rose-gold Chiara heels and matching mini flats with sporty Adidas dresses at the 2017 Kids’ Choice Awards.
- 🎄 Her Victoria’s Secret holiday campaign featured Aquazzura and Jimmy Choo heels, moving between crystal-trimmed red slingbacks and metallic Saeda pumps with delicate ankle jewelry.
- 🎬 Mariah marked her TCL Chinese Theatre ceremony in Christian Louboutin sandals, grounding a plunging black dress, fishnet tights, and diamonds with bow-detailed Blakissima heels.