Gayle King looked sharp in a pair of Sneex at the “F1” world premiere on Monday in New York. The CBS morning show host paired the sneaker stilettos with a white pin-striped set.

King wore a pair of “The Blake” Hy-Heel from Sneex in the off white and black colorway. The shoes, which retail for $545, peeked through her long skirt showing the tip of the shoe. The Sneex upper has the same features of a sneaker, including velcro strap and stitching, but what sets it apart from a sneaker is a heel measuring 78mm.

The Blake hybrid combines the comfort of a sneaker but with the lift that stilettos provide. The shoes feature adjustable straps for a custom fit, re-engineered weight distribution, a comfortable toe box, and arch support, along with a rubber-like sole that adds stability.

King wore a pinstriped dress in white with a matching blazer with gold accents. The floor-length fitted skirt allowed only a glimpse of the shoe, but a slit in the back allowed for movement as she walked into the event. She paired the black and white shoes with black socks and completed the look with a Gucci leather bag featuring a gold chain strap.

King has been an early adopter of the sneaker heel game. Since Sneex was released last year, the shoes have become a wardrobe staple for the TV host, worn everywhere from NBA games to red carpets. The shoes have made several appearances on red carpets for award shows and movie premieres. Kathy Bates has also worn them on more than one occasion, as well as Jane Fonda and Oprah, who added the shoes to her popular “Favorite Things” list in 2024.

The sneaker heel brand was founded by Sara Blakely, who also founded the revolutionary Spanx. However, high-heeled sneakers aren’t new. The fusion of athletic footwear with added height were trending in the early 2000s, and there’s been a resurgence with designers like Isabel Marant rereleasing her popular wedge sneakers.