Honestly, Keke Palmer is having a decade, not just a moment. But if we’re talking about the specific "gag" that lived rent-free in everyone's head, it’s the Keke Palmer Rene Caovilla sandals fashion masterclass she put on during her Just Keke album promo. It was June 2025. New York City was sweltering. And there was Keke, stepping outside The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon looking like she just walked off a 1994 Versace runway. Because she literally did.
She was wearing this vintage Atelier Versace mini—sequined, sunset-orange, and pink—that gave major "Crazy in Love" energy. But the shoes? The shoes were the plot twist. She skipped the standard pump and went for the René Caovilla "Cleo" sandals.
If you aren't a shoe nerd, let me catch you up. These aren't just heels. They are sculptures.
The Legend of the Cleo
René Caovilla didn't just wake up and decide to make a wrap-around heel. The Cleo was actually inspired by a Roman snake bracelet from the 1st century BC. No joke. It’s so iconic it was displayed in the MoMA back in the 70s. When Keke wore them, she chose the gold version embellished with crystal star accents.
It was a choice. A bold one.
Most stylists would tell you to pair a busy, sequined, ruffled vintage Versace dress with a "naked" sandal. Something invisible. But Keke’s stylist, Molly Dickson, went the opposite direction. They leaned into the maximalism. The crystals on the sandals caught the NYC sun, and suddenly, a sidewalk in Midtown looked like a high-fashion editorial.
Why Keke's Style Hits Different
Keke is 5’5”. In the world of Hollywood giants, she’s considered "approachable" height. But she uses footwear to manipulate her silhouette in a way that’s honestly genius. She doesn't just wear heels to be taller; she wears them to change the vibe of the outfit.
During that same 2025 press tour, she was seen in everything from:
- Gianvito Rossi "Flavia" gold leaf heels (with a 2007 Dior gown)
- Christian Louboutin bordeaux pumps
- Saint Laurent "Silvana" heels with that chunky gold chain
But the Caovillas? They stood out because they felt "Beyoncé-coded." It was Y2K glamour without feeling like a costume. It felt expensive.
The Cleo sandal takes about two days to make by hand in Venice. It involves over 20 different steps. When you see Keke walking in them, you’re seeing $1,600 worth of Italian engineering wrapping around her ankle like a diamond-encrusted serpent.
The "Siren" Effect
There’s a reason celebrities like Sydney Sweeney, Bella Hadid, and Rihanna keep going back to this specific René Caovilla silhouette. It does something to the leg. Because the strap coils upward rather than cutting the line of the leg with a horizontal ankle strap, it creates this endless, elongated look.
Keke’s pair featured these tiny crystal stars. It sounds a bit "middle school," right? Wrong. On a grown woman in archival Versace, it looked like celestial armor.
How to Actually Pull This Off (Without a Stylist)
Look, most of us aren't heading to Fallon to promote an album. But the Keke Palmer Rene Caovilla sandals fashion vibe is actually surprisingly wearable if you stop treating gold as a "special occasion" color.
Keke treats gold like a neutral.
If you’re going to drop the money on a pair of Cleos—or even a high-quality inspired version—don't save them for a wedding. Wear them with elevated denim. Wear them with a crisp white poplin dress. The trick Keke uses is matching the "energy" of the shoe to at least one other accessory. For her, it was a handful of gold and diamond rings. It makes the outfit feel intentional instead of just "I put on my fancy shoes today."
The 2026 Shift
As we move into 2026, the trend is shifting toward "analogue" luxury. People want things that look handmade. They want the "Venetian мастерство" (craftsmanship) that Caovilla represents. Keke was ahead of the curve by pulling from the archives and pairing it with footwear that has a 50-year history.
It wasn't just a "look." It was a statement that she belongs in the "Black Hollywood Royalty" category.
She isn't just the girl from Nickelodeon anymore. She’s a mogul who knows her fashion history. And honestly? If you can walk three blocks on New York pavement in 4-inch spiral stilettos without breaking a sweat or a strap, you deserve the crown.
Actionable Style Insights:
- Invest in the Coil: If you want the "Keke leg," look for wrap-around styles that spiral upward rather than a single strap that "chops" the ankle.
- Gold is a Neutral: Pair gold metallic sandals with blues, oranges, or even basic whites to elevate the look instantly.
- Vary Your Textures: Keke mixed sequins, ruffles, and crystals. If your dress is loud, your shoes can be louder—as long as the color palette stays tight.
- Support Matters: High-end sandals like René Caovilla are weighted differently than cheap fast-fashion versions; if you're going high, go for quality to avoid the "stumble" walk.