Ariana Madix is the latest celebrity to put her own twist on the dressy flip-flop and thong sandal revival. Arriving at “Late Night With Seth Meyers” in New York City on Monday evening, the “Love Island USA” host stepped out in Steve Madden’s Burrke sandals.
Ariana Madix
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The silhouette pairs cognac brown leather with ivory straps, threaded through segmented gold-tone beads for a grid-like effect across the forefoot. A vertical T-strap draws the eye down the center line, meeting a buckled slingback at the heel. A smooth tan footbed and low-profile rubber sole keep the stance easy, even as the hardware adds polish. The style, usually $80 and currently $50 at DSW, slots neatly into Madix’s lineup of sandal-centered looks this year.
A closer look at Ariana Madix’s hardware-loaded Steven Madden thong sandals.
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Her outfit balanced high-shine texture with an ’80s-leaning cut: a crystal-embellished burgundy minidress with structured shoulders, a plunging neckline and a cinched waist. Oversized hoops framed her face, while a glossy blowout — clipped back with BTS-logo barrettes — kept the mood playful.
Thong silhouettes have been one of Madix’s throughlines this summer. Earlier this month, she paired an all-orange knit gown with JLO Jennifer Lopez x Revolve’s Leslie sandal, a stiletto-heeled take on the toe-loop. In her 2024 DSW collaboration, she highlighted multiple Steve Madden styles — a connection that now extends to the Burrke, currently stocked at the retailer.
Steve Madden Burkke Sandals in the cognac/ivory/gold colorway, $50.
The thong sandal’s resurgence has split into two camps: stripped-back leather for minimalists and embellished builds for those chasing detail without height. Rosé of Blackpink leaned into the first in Milan over the weekend with low-profile white flip-flops, while Latto and Emily Ratajkowski have opted for neutral leather pairs with barely-there straps.
At the other end, designers across the market have pushed the silhouette forward — The Row with padded leather, Dolce & Gabbana in a sold-out Havaianas collaboration, and ERL through an exaggerated platform. Steve Madden’s Burrke lands in the latter camp, its segmented gold beading adding structure and shine to a grounded, flat profile.