Jessica Alba’s Manolo Blahniks Prove the Kitten Heel Is Back
Jessica Alba slipped a warm-toned twist into her neutral New York look on Monday, stepping out in Battery Park City in Manolo Blahnik’s Carolyne kitten-heel halter pumps.
The Italian-made silhouette was cut in russet suede, low at the sides to sharpen the profile. A pointed toe elongated the line, while the slingback strap — fastened at the heel with a discreet side buckle — kept the fit close. The short, flared kitten heel matched the upper for a seamless finish, keeping the focus on the saturated texture.
Jessica Alba is seen in Battery Park City wearing brown suede slingbacks on Monday in New York City.
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Alba paired the heels with a crisp white button-down tucked into beige knee-length shorts, pleated through the front for shape. She layered on amber-tinted sunglasses and carried a structured brown leather top-handle bag, finishing her look with soft waves and minimal jewelry.
The choice marked her second pointed pump of the day. Hours earlier, Alba wore optic white stilettos on “CBS Mornings” with a monochrome blue look from Willy Chavarria’s spring 2026 collection while promoting the third season of “Honest Renovations.”
A closer look at Jessica Alba’s Manolo Blahnik Carolyne slingback shoes.
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Her return to the kitten heel slot fits within a broader rotation of quietly elevated footwear this season. In early July, Alba paired Loewe’s crystal-studded gold sandals with a strapless mocha dress for the London press night of “Evita,” coordinating with daughter Honor Warren’s equally embellished Kurt Geiger heels.
Kitten heels have been edging back into circulation this summer, favored for their balance of polish and wearability. Daisy Edgar-Jones, Princess Charlene and Hailey Bieber have all been photographed in low-heel styles in recent months. Alba’s Carolyne slingbacks fit that lane cleanly — sharp at the toe, light underfoot — showing how a classic can move easily between a morning of TV press and an afternoon downtown.
The Carolyne remains one of Manolo Blahnik’s most enduring silhouettes, frequently revisited in seasonal materials and colors. Its appearance comes as the brand prepares to sponsor the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Marie Antoinette Style exhibition this September — an ode to the historical influence of lavish footwear on modern design.