Why Stella McCartney’s Elyse Platforms Defined 2010s Celebrity Street Style

Stella McCartney’s Autumn 2018 collection presentation brought an unusually concentrated display of the designer’s statement footwear to S.I.R. Studios in Los Angeles on January 16, 2018.

Vanessa Hudgens, Kate Mara, Kiernan Shipka, and Selma Blair all wore versions of the label’s chunky Elyse platform oxfords, while Amy Poehler chose the sportier Sneak-Elyse and Paris Jackson stepped out in towering Monster Chelsea boots.

What makes the group worth revisiting is how differently the same platform-heavy Stella McCartney aesthetic worked from one outfit to the next.

Patent leather, metallic finishes, star cutouts, ripple soles, and exaggerated wedges gave each pair its own identity, while Kate Hudson and Katy Perry offered two alternatives to the Elyse-heavy lineup. Here’s a closer look at eight celebrity outfits and the shoes that defined them.

1. Kate Hudson Pairs Stella McCartney Platform Sandals With Pastel Separates

Kate Hudson didn’t wear the popular “Elyse” creepers, but her pair of choice did feature similar ripple platform soles.

Kate Hudson with a grown-out pixie cut at the Stella McCartney Autumn 2018 Collection Presentation held at the S.I.R. Studios in Los Angeles, California, on January 16, 2018 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

With her now slightly grown-out pixie cut, the “Bride Wars” actress gave her white ruffled blouse and delicate-pink faux-leather jacket-and-skirt coordinates a modern edge.

Kate Hudson’s star tattoo in white chunky ankle-strap platform sandals with black ripple soles and wooden heels

2. Vanessa Hudgens Goes Beatnik in Black Stella McCartney Elyse Platform Oxfords

Vanessa Hudgens chose the black patent “Elyse” creepers, which featured a steep pitch in their wedge heels.

Vanessa Hudgens gives her black ruffled mini and gray plaid blazer extra height in black patent Stella McCartney Elyse wedge platform oxfords at the Stella McCartney Autumn 2018 Presentation (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

She nodded to ’50s beatnik style, pairing her short bob with a black high-necked ruffled blouse, black satin ruffled skirt, and gray plaid blazer.

Vanessa Hudgens’ Stella McCartney “Elyse” black-patent wedge platform oxfords

3. Paris Jackson Towers in Stella McCartney Monster Platform Boots

Paris Jackson towered high over everyone else in a pair of massive Stella McCartney “Monster” black-faux-leather Chelsea boots with white rubber platform soles.

Paris Jackson makes Stella McCartney’s towering Monster Chelsea boots the focal point of her look, pairing their chunky white platform soles with a striped sweater dress and oversized red belt bag (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

The American model paired them with a semi-sheer striped sweater dress and an interesting red oversized belt bag.

Paris Jackson wearing Stella McCartney “Monster” faux-leather Chelsea boots with chunky white rubber platform soles

4. Kate Mara Grounds Her Blazer Dress With Burgundy Stella McCartney Elyse Oxfords

Sporting a black short-sleeved blazer dress, Kate Mara could’ve gone with brighter-colored footwear, but she went for the dark oxblood hue of the “Elyse” creepers instead.

Kate Mara adds a rich oxblood accent to her black blazer mini dress with burgundy patent Stella McCartney Elyse platform oxfords, finished with chunky contrast soles

The “Fantastic Four” star completed her look with a simple half-up ponytail, a chain-strapped black bag, and black nail polish.

Kate Mara’s Stella McCartney “Elyse” oxblood-patent platform oxfords

5. Kiernan Shipka Mixes Prints With Stella McCartney Elyse Star-Cutout Oxfords

The American actress used her youth to her advantage and boldly paired a busy printed dress with the python-star-cutout “Elyse” platform oxfords.

Kiernan Shipka clashes prints with confidence, pairing her colorful mini dress with black Stella McCartney Elyse platform oxfords featuring star cutouts and chunky saw-edge soles

Kiernan Shipka’s Stella McCartney “Elyse” platform oxfords with faux-python star cutouts

6. Amy Poehler Goes Metallic in Stella McCartney Sneak-Elyse Platform Sneakers

Amy Poehler opted to stay comfortable and chose the sportier “Sneak-Elyse” platform trainers.

Amy Poehler gives cropped black trousers and a red-and-black love-print blouse a futuristic finish with metallic silver Stella McCartney Sneak-Elyse platform sneakers

She kept things fun with the metallic silver colorway, pairing them with a love-print blouse and black cropped pants.

Amy Poehler’s Stella McCartney “Sneak-Elyse” rubber-platform trainers in silver metallic

7. Selma Blair Styles Blue Stella McCartney Elyse Oxfords With a Boho Dress

Selma Blair’s “Elyse” platform oxfords gave out a strong country vibe with their blue burnished leather uppers and perforated star cutouts.

Selma Blair leans into print and texture, pairing her cutout boho dress with blue burnished Stella McCartney Elyse platform oxfords featuring star perforations and chunky white saw-edge soles

The iconic actress used them to accessorize a loose, boho-style printed dress with a deep V-neck and triangle cutouts at the waist.

Selma Blair wearing Stella McCartney “Elyse” blue burnished-leather platform oxfords with star cutouts

8. Katy Perry Pairs a Scarlet Stella McCartney Dress With Pink-and-Black Flats

The American singer happily posed with the English fashion designer in an asymmetrical red dress.

Katy Perry stole the sartorial spotlight at Stella McCartney’s AW18 presentation

Katy Perry and Stella McCartney attend the launch of Stella McCartney’s Autumn 2018 Collection held at S.I.R. Studios in Los Angeles

At Stella McCartney’s Los Angeles event, she wore a statement scarlet dress from the Stella McCartney Spring 2018 collection.

Katy Perry showing off her cartoonish makeup

She styled her off-the-shoulder maxi dress with massive sunglasses and pink-and-black pointy-toe flats.

Katy Perry goes graphic with oversized visor sunglasses, sculptural earrings, and a ruffled scarlet neckline

Katy Perry makes a dramatic entrance in a voluminous red Stella McCartney Spring 2018 dress, with flashes of hot-pink footwear peeking beneath the ankle-grazing hem

Katy Perry’s hot-pink satin flats feature black pointed toes accented with jeweled spherical ornaments, creating a vivid contrast beneath her scarlet Stella McCartney dress

Why Stella McCartney’s Platform Shoes Became a Celebrity Favorite

From the Elyse oxfords worn by Vanessa Hudgens, Kate Mara, Kiernan Shipka, and Selma Blair to Paris Jackson’s towering Monster boots and Amy Poehler’s sporty Sneak-Elyse trainers, these looks show why Stella McCartney’s chunky footwear has had such staying power. The exaggerated soles add noticeable height and make even a simple outfit feel more distinctive, while the combination of brogue-inspired uppers, sporty tread, and substantial platforms gives the shoes a look that is hard to mistake for another label.

The Stella McCartney Elyse platform is the clearest example. Introduced with the Winter 2014 collection, the style combines an angular upper with a wedge platform and signature saw-edge sole. Stella McCartney describes the design as adding height and lengthening the legs while retaining comfort, and its celebrity following includes Kendall Jenner, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Oprah Winfrey, and Viola Davis.

More than a decade after its debut, the Elyse remains part of Stella McCartney’s footwear lineup. As of August 2026, Farfetch carries a wide selection of Stella McCartney shoes, including classic Elyse platforms alongside platform sneakers, sandals, pumps, and newer cut-out derby variations. Prices and availability vary by style and size.

Another distinction behind the recognizable silhouette: Stella McCartney has avoided animal leather, fur, feathers, and exotic skins since launching her label in 2001. The Elyse continues that approach with vegan alternatives to animal leather, including versions made from materials derived from grape waste, apple waste, and mycelium. That combination of dramatic proportions, recognizable design, and animal-free materials helps explain why the shoes have remained such a distinctive part of celebrity wardrobes.