Fierce footwear showed up in some unexpected places tonight at the Golden Globes. While all eyes were on the gorgeous gowns and fancy pants, there were some serious fashion-forward moves below the ankle.

Diane Kruger

We heart Kruger’s sartorial style and tonight was no exception. Going sans stylist, she hit the mark once again in a stunning silvery gown from Emilia Wickstead that virtually just dripped off her body. Her dress designer is said to be a favorite of Kate Middleton and we can see why. Taking her ensemble to the next level, Kruger wore a pair of Brian Atwood blush suede “Karin” six-inch, wide ankle-strapped platform heel. It’s not your usual red-carpet combination, but it certainly elevates the look both literally and figuratively. If ever there were a way to assert your style dominance without saying a word, these are the shoes to do it.

Jane Fonda

As Jane Fonda, along with Lily Tomlin, announced the Best Actor in a TV Comedy/Music Series award to Transparent‘s Jeffrey Tambor , we couldn’t help but pay attention to Fonda’s feet. She wore a pair of chic Jimmy Choo kitten-heeled ” Aza”  in snakeskin glitter with a metallic mirrored heel. Pairing a red Versace off-the-shoulder dress with glitter shoes? She’s a woman who proves style after 70 can stand toe-to-toe with the best on the red carpet.

Giuliana Rancic

Host of E!’s Live From the Red Carpet, Giuliana Rancic, sported some exceptionally fierce Tom Ford cream, ankle-strapped stilettos with collar detailing and a gold mirror metallic chain link stiletto heel. She showed off these stunners pre-show, lifting up her dress to the camera for maximum effect. As the only one to wear Tom Ford shoes on the carpet at Globes this year, the style was quite edgy for this fashionista.  Rancic shared, “They were a perfect conversation piece for the carpet. The gold chain link heel was a perfect balance with the insanely sparkling Forevermark Diamonds I wore!” Her stylist, Monica Rose, concurred, “These Tom Ford shoes were the perfect last minute touch to complete Giuliana’slook.”

Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham usually causes a love-it-or-hate-it passion with her looks on the red carpet, but tonight was quite tame for her. A simply classic red Zac Posen satin boat neck gown was paired with classic Manolo Blahniks – the only Blahnik sighting on Sunday’s carpet. The matte red leather heels were a loafer style, boasting a pointy toe, with a curled leather detailing on the toe box. We’d say it’s a woman who has become truly comfortable in her own shoes.

Jill Soloway

Jill Soloway, creator, director and writer of winning series Transparent, took to the stage in a suit, and Prada platform with espadrille detailing and black-and-white rubber soles. As the first win for Amazon studios, and at the helm of a series that Soloway says “is a movement,”  these shoes were doing some serious talking.

See more Golden Globes 2015: The Red-Carpet Arrivals

Alan Cummings

Alan Cummings donned Christian Louboutin “Mika on Stage” high top sneakers with a monochromatic all blush head-to-toe suit and tie for an incredibly distinctive and standout look among the male nominees. Cognac suede with black leather trim, open-hole golden mirror eyelets and cream rubber sole couldn’t have spoken louder from this Broadway star. To us, it says, “I am a true iconoclast – just look down for proof.”

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington was a standout in Mary Katranzou and Christian Louboutin “Miss Rigidaine” stilettos. These almost five-inch stilettos are a favorite of Washington, who has worn them on repeated occasions. These shoes — f eaturing a slender dagger stiletto heel, black patent and a severe cutout  D’orsay  silhouette trimmed in clear raspberry PVC —  are not for the fainthearted fashionista .

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts sported silver metallic single strap custom-made Giuseppe Zanotti platform sandals with cross-ankle strap under her yellow Gucci column dress. Pairing limonata yellow with a silver shoe is quite a bold move for Watts, who is taking some more footwear risks these days and stepping out in higher, stronger silhouettes of late. Could she be moving into a new fashion phase? We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Patti Smith

Best Original Song nominee Patti Smith showed up in signature Smith style, sporting Belgian icon Ann Demeulemeester’s combat boots with an all-black ensemble, pants tucked into her boots. When it comes to defining one’s personal style, Smith owns her looks , and these boots are a testament to that.

Jemima Kirke

Jemima Kirke stunned in a Rosie Assoulin ensemble and paired it with handmade-in-ItalyMalone Souliers “Haji” soft terracotta suede stilettos with a navy braided and tasseled tie. Kirke’s latest shoe pick has an  underlying elegant element to it, and may just be her best choice yet.