When fashion icon and entrepreneurial powerhouse Cindy Crawford steps into the spotlight, the world takes notes on the art of timeless refinement. Taking the stage at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan for the Forbes Power Women’s Summit, the legendary supermodel delivered a masterclass in modern executive elegance. Choosing an arresting shade of deep, vintage burgundy, Crawford proved that power dressing need not rely on conventional charcoal or corporate black to command attention. Instead, she leaned into a disciplined, head-to-toe monochromatic palette that was simultaneously commanding and fluid, anchored by an ultra-refined pair of patent leather sandals by luxury footwear atelier Aquazzura.
The appearance marked a triumphant return to one of Crawford’s most captivating sartorial signatures: the tonal color statement. By pairing relaxed modern tailoring with the delicate, barely-there construction of Aquazzura’s "Talk to Me" sandals, Crawford demonstrated how contrast in proportion and texture can transform a single hue into a multifaceted visual triumph.
Crawford’s tailored ensemble struck an enviable balance between sharp executive polish and effortless contemporary ease. The foundation of her look relied on a relaxed, double-duty burgundy suit featuring an elongated blazer with softly structured shoulders and notch lapels. Rather than opting for the stiff formality of a crisp button-down, she styled the jacket nonchalantly unbuttoned over a low-cut, fluid camisole dyed to an identical chromatic depth. The camisole’s subtle sheen offered a gentle play of light against the matte texture of the suit fabric, while a coordinating leather belt with understated hardware cinched the waist, providing tailored structure to the sweeping silhouette.
Flowing downward, the wide-leg trousers swept toward the floor with graceful volume. Designed with a loose, pooling drape that moved with every stride across the summit stage, the hems provided fleeting glimpses of Crawford’s carefully considered footwear. Wide trousers paired with open, strappy shoes have become a cornerstone of contemporary high-fashion styling, allowing the visual weight of substantial suiting to be counterbalanced by the airiness of exposed skin.
Stealing the spotlight beneath the pooling cuffs was Aquazzura’s "Talk to Me" sandal, rendered in a brilliant, glossy burgundy patent leather. Designed by Edgardo Osorio, the creative force behind the Florence-based luxury label, the shoe represents a triumph of architectural minimalism. Rather than encasing the foot, the silhouette celebrates negative space. A series of wafer-thin patent straps fan diagonally across the open toe, gathering harmoniously at the outer edge before sweeping seamlessly across the instep. From there, a singular, whisper-thin strap wraps around the ankle into a secure slingback, while a razor-sharp, pencil-thin stiletto heel elevates the entire frame.
The high-shine patent finish played a pivotal role in Crawford’s monochromatic formula. In tone-on-tone ensembles, textural variation is critical to prevent the outfit from appearing flat or overly uniform. The lustrous, light-reflecting quality of the patent leather provided an essential focal point, punctuating the hemline of her trousers with a rich, jewel-like radiance that drew the eye downward.
This summit appearance represents Crawford’s second major masterclass in burgundy monochrome this year, highlighting her growing affinity for the rich, wine-infused shade. At the WWD Style Awards held at the Regent Santa Monica Beach in Southern California, Crawford turned heads in an asymmetric, one-shoulder jersey dress courtesy of New York label Khaite. That earlier look approached the color through a more sculptural and dramatic lens. To complement Khaite’s statuesque silhouette, Crawford selected Schutz’s "Annie Curve" sandals in deep Vino patent leather. That particular pair boasted a more aggressive design vocabulary, featuring four wide straps wrapping across the vamp and an architecturally pronounced, 4.7-inch curved heel that exuded bold sensuality.
By contrast, her New York outing demonstrated the versatility of the color family when shifted into a daylight executive setting. Trading the substantial strappiness and dramatic curve of her Schutz heels for the understated delicacy of Aquazzura’s needle-thin stiletto, Crawford shifted the aesthetic from black-tie allure to razor-sharp professional poise. The shift revealed a deliberate styling philosophy: as garments become looser, broader, and more voluminous, footwear can become infinitely lighter and more stripped-back.
Crawford is far from alone in her devotion to Aquazzura’s minimalist footwear philosophy. The Italian house has enjoyed an undisputed presence across high-profile red carpets, press tours, and fashion weeks worldwide, becoming a favored staple among top-tier stylists seeking shoes that flatter the leg without overwhelming complex couture. Just days prior during New York Fashion Week, Anne Hathaway stepped out at a Bulgari high jewelry gathering wearing Aquazzura’s celebrated "So Nude Sandal 50" in gleaming metallic gold, pairing the understated two-strap kitten heel with sleek tailoring. Meanwhile, Emmy-winning actress Hannah Waddingham embraced the four-inch version of the very same design in a blushing pink-nude tone for the premiere of Ted Lasso, cementing the silhouette’s status as the ultimate neutral foundation for showstopping gowns.
The enduring appeal of the barely-there sandal lies in its transformative versatility. In an era where fashion often oscillates between chunky, platform-heavy retro revivals and functional streetwear-inspired footwear, the return to pristine, razor-sharp stilettos feels inherently radical and refined. For women navigating both corporate leadership and the glare of the red carpet, a shoe like Aquazzura’s "Talk to Me" offers structural support without compromising on delicate aesthetics. It lengthens the leg line, introduces an element of quiet sensuality, and integrates effortlessly with everything from evening silks to sharp gabardine suiting.
Beyond the undeniable glamour of the ensemble, Crawford’s appearance at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit carried profound thematic significance. As the co-founder of Meaningful Beauty—a skincare empire that has generated hundreds of millions in revenue over two decades—Crawford has spent the past thirty years dismantling the archaic notion that supermodels are merely passive canvases for other people’s designs. She sits firmly at the helm of a multifaceted business enterprise, investing in lifestyle brands, producing content, and advocating for women’s economic leadership.
Her wardrobe choice in Manhattan mirrored this multi-hyphenate identity with crystal clarity. The deep burgundy tone—often associated with authority, luxury, ambition, and quiet confidence—served as the perfect chromatic backdrop for a discussion on resilience and corporate longevity. By modernizing the traditional power suit with fluid lines, a sensual camisole, and luminous footwear, Crawford reaffirmed that executive authority does not require women to abandon femininity or sartorial individuality.
As autumn approaches, fashion houses and trend forecasters alike have pinpointed burgundy, oxblood, and black cherry as the quintessential anchor shades of the season. Designers across Milan, Paris, and New York have blanketed runways with deep wine-toned leather trench coats, tactile knitwear, and matching accessories. Crawford’s polished execution provides the ultimate blueprint for wearing the trend with enduring sophistication.
By treating the color not merely as an accent shade but as a holistic, multi-textured canvas, Cindy Crawford once again cemented her status as an enduring style icon. Her harmonious pairing of fluid power tailoring with the breathless delicacy of Aquazzura sandals reminds us that true elegance lies in the details: the drape of a hem, the flash of patent leather, and the timeless power of owning a room in head-to-toe color.
