New Style Idea

MacKenzie Scott, former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, often remains out of the spotlight. However, over the years she’s proven that sharp taste can earn favor during her appearances on the red carpet — and whether on or off it, philanthropy does, too.

The mother-of-four has been in the spotlight in recent years for her remarkable charity efforts. This week, Scott donated $275 million to Planned Parenthood — which happens to be the nonprofit’s largest gift ever. The philanthropist also made headlines for joining the Bill Gates and Warren Buffett initiative, donating $1.7 billion so far to causes like education, racial equity and LGBTQIA+ rights through donations to hundreds of organizations.

“The cause of equity has no sides. Nor can it have a single solution,” Scott wrote in a Medium post this week, with a list of organizations she encouraged others to donate to.

Scott’s philanthropic work is commendable, as is her emphasis on simplicity on the red carpet. Preferring sharp, well-fitting dresses in muted tones with pointed-toe pumps ranging from neutral to embellished, she’s proven that elegance — like giving back to those in need — never goes out of style.

The novelist turned heads at the 2012 Met Gala, arriving in a color-blocked Juan Carlos Obando gown. Fitting into the “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” theme, Scott’s dress featured a sweeping red skirt and silky pink bodice cinched with a black belt. Completing her look was a sharp pixie cut, as well as dazzling gold and diamond earrings, a black clutch and black sandals with stiletto heels.

For the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Scott coordinated with then-husband Bezos in an all-black outfit. The star posed in a strapless black gown with a sweeping train, complemented by an angular gold pendant necklace with black crystals.

While on the red carpet for the 2018 Axel Springer Award ceremony in Berlin, Scott wore a sharp navy dress with a knee-length skirt, V-shaped neckline and long sleeves. Adding to the pieces’ effortless elegance was a pair of subtly sparkling gold pumps with pointed toes.

In 2018, the Vanity Fair Oscar Party saw Scott return in another sweeping sleeveless gown — this time, in a vibrant red. Adding more glamour was a high-low hem, revealing sheer black pumps with wrapped ankle straps, as well as a sparkling strand of diamonds.

See how high heels have evolved through the years.