At the London premiere of The Lion King on July 14, 2019, at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, Nathalie Emmanuel—standing 5’6¾” (169.5 cm) with a US shoe size 7.5—arrived in a striking red ensemble that reads as a modern study in proportion, using a streamlined silhouette and minimalist sandals to subtly lengthen her frame.
Nathalie Emmanuel balances the sculpted lines of her red Hellessy gown with minimalist Manolo Blahnik sandals, keeping the silhouette long and uninterrupted at The Lion King premiere in London on July 14, 2019 (Credit: WENN / Mario Mitsis / Ivan Nikolov)
Choosing a Hellessy “Rosie” dress from the Spring 2019 collection, she leaned into a silhouette defined by a ruffled square neckline and a structured drop-waist.
A closer look highlights the gown’s ruffled bustier and her crystal-embellished clutch, with delicate strap details echoing the barely-there simplicity of her sandals
The gown’s jacquard fabric features tonal ribbing that adds a tactile depth to the vibrant crimson hue, balancing the playful movement of the fluted hem with more architectural lines through the bodice.
Her pale Manolo Blahnik slide sandals reveal a clean, low-profile strap and slim stiletto heel that subtly lengthen the foot without competing with the dress
To keep the focus on the dress’s volume, Emmanuel opted for minimalist accessories: a crystal-embellished clutch and a pair of Manolo Blahnik sandals.
These “barely-there” heels provide a neutral base, allowing the dress’s drop-waist silhouette to take center stage.
Hellessy Rosie Bustier Jacquard Dress, $1,390
This wasn’t the actress’s only notable red carpet moment in this color palette. Earlier that year, for the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere in New York City (April 3, 2019), she wore a tiered Ermanno Scervino Spring 2019 gown.
Paired with Ara Vartanian jewelry, she grounded the voluminous tiers with Jimmy Choo ‘Kaylee’ sandals—a choice that mirrored her preference for sleek, open-toe footwear to balance elaborate hemlines.
At the Game of Thrones Season 8 premiere in New York City on April 3, 2019, Nathalie Emmanuel pairs a voluminous Ermanno Scervino gown with black Jimmy Choo “Kaylee” sandals that ground the look with contrast and structure
Minimalist Sandals: The Red-Carpet Shoe That Lets the Dress Lead
As this concludes our look at Nathalie Emmanuel’s red-carpet style, her barely-there Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo sandals place her within a wider celebrity fashion formula: when the gown carries the color, texture, or volume, a minimalist sandal keeps the finish clean, elongating, and quietly polished.
👠 Explore Minimalist Sandals in Celebrity Shoe Style:
- ✨ Barely-there sandals remain a red-carpet staple because their slim toe and ankle straps create a clean, almost invisible finish beneath gowns, minis, and tailored evening looks.
- 👡 Olivia Culpo’s white Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals show why the silhouette became a modern event-shoe standard: polished, leg-lengthening, and quiet enough to let a dress lead.
- 🖤 Kristen Stewart’s gunmetal Jimmy Choo “Minny” sandals gave her embellished Chanel gown a restrained finish, proving how minimalist straps can sharpen couture without interrupting it.
- 💎 Diane Kruger’s metallic Jimmy Choo “Minny” sandals anchored a sculptural Monique Lhuillier look with just enough shine, keeping the focus on proportion and movement.
- 🎬 Scarlett Johansson’s black velvet Jimmy Choo “Minny” sandals brought soft texture to a silver Erdem dress while preserving the clean, barely-there line that makes the style so red-carpet reliable.
- 🔥 Rihanna’s Manolo Blahnik “Chaos” sandals capture the enduring appeal of a pared-back ankle-strap heel: simple, leg-lengthening, and strong enough to work across street style and evening dressing.