Tyla stepped out in Berlin ahead of her Maaya performance on Sunday night wearing a pair of black gladiator sandals by Alaïa — a heel-heavy, high-drama silhouette that’s quickly becoming a signature for the Grammy winner.
The sandals featured a stacked platform sole, stiletto heel and slim leather straps that wrapped the foot and ankle in a sharp, architectural cage. An exposed zipper at the back gave the look structure and a utilitarian edge. With its exaggerated height and strappy build, the shoe balanced throwback energy with directional intent — a common thread in Tyla’s current footwear rotation.
Tyla arrives at Maaya Berlin ahead of her performance at Maaya Berlin on July 14 in Berlin.
Getty Images
The look adds to a growing lineup of gladiator styles the singer has worn this year, from gold wrap-up heels by Rene Caovilla at the Kids’ Choice Awards to calf-high Le Silla sandals at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards. While earlier iterations favored embellishment or movement, this Alaïa pair emphasized form and finish — less ethereal, more sculptural.
A closer look at Tyla’s gladiator heels worn in Berlin.
It’s consistent with Tyla’s broader approach to footwear this year. At Coachella, she opted for zebra-print Dolce & Gabbana booties. At the Kids’ Choice Awards, she switched between Nike Dunks and metallic Brian Atwood heels. Each look lands somewhere between performance-ready and red carpet-calibrated, anchored by shoes that tell their own story.
Gladiators, in particular, have emerged as a repeat silhouette. While the style has been quietly resurfacing among celebrities this year — Vanessa Kirby and Meagan Good among them — Tyla’s interpretation tends toward the bold. She favors statement variations: platforms over flats, straps in surplus and proportions exaggerated.
The “Water” singer paired the heels with cut-off denim shorts and a color-blocked moto jacket from Zoraide Polidori, featuring bright red, yellow and blue leather. The cropped length and sharp palette offered contrast, but the shoes remained the focus. Finished with hoop earrings, long braids and a glossy black pedicure, the styling let the sandals carry the weight.
