In 2011, while Hermione Granger star Emma Watson naturally drew most of the spotlight at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows—Part 2 world premiere, Fleur Delacour actress Clémence Poésy quietly captivated fashion watchers with her bold and unexpected footwear choice.
Emma stunned in a glamorous Oscar de la Renta gown paired with sparkling Giuseppe Zanotti heels—an effortlessly classic red carpet pairing that remains timeless over a decade later. But Clémence Poésy took a riskier route, opting for a light, ethereal Nina Ricci silk chiffon cocktail dress balanced with dramatically chunky peep-toe platform wedges.
Clémence Poésy turns heads in a ruffled white Nina Ricci chiffon dress paired with bold black peep-toe platform wedges at the world premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 at Trafalgar Square in London on July 7, 2011 (Credit: WENN)
While many stylists might have paired such a delicate, ethereal dress with minimal strappy sandals or classic pumps, Clémence Poésy, who stands at 5ft 6 (167.6 cm) and wears a US shoe size 8.5, took a bolder route.
She anchored her Nina Ricci chiffon dress with chunky, boat-like peep-toe platform wedges that added significant height and visual weight to her frame. The exaggerated proportions created a striking contrast, teetering between avant-garde sophistication and slightly overwhelming.
At the time, the look sparked divided opinions on the red carpet. Yet looking back, Poésy’s fearless blend of romantic softness and architectural footwear feels unexpectedly forward-thinking, mirroring the dramatic platform resurgence embraced by modern designers like Valentino, Versace, and Saint Laurent.
This dress-and-shoe pairing is the kind of fashion risk that often polarizes style watchers. Poésy, known for her effortlessly chic French aesthetic and quirky, offbeat choices, pulled it off—but on a different celebrity, the heavy footwear might have easily overpowered the airy silhouette.
Clémence Poésy shows off her minimalist nude pedicure in bold black Nina Ricci peep-toe platform wedges, featuring oversized bows, frayed edges, and studded soles
Poésy effortlessly pulls off this daring combination, but on many other celebrities, the heavy footwear could easily overwhelm the delicate dress. It’s the kind of unconventional pairing that may not win everyone at first glance, but with time, its boldness grows on you.
👠 Celebs in Nina Ricci footwear on Your Next Shoes:
- 📌 Sofia Carson channeled 1960s mod glamour in Nina Ricci at the SAG Awards preview—with matching black Nina Ricci bow pumps completing the look.
- 🌟 Chrissy Teigen stunned at the City Harvest Gala in a sheer leopard-print Nina Ricci gown—paired with bold black platform heels peeking through the slit.
- ✨ Diane Kruger embraced Roaring ’20s Nina Ricci lace and fishnet—and styled the look with chic footwear, highlighting the brand’s edgy-yet-elegant appeal.
What do you think of Clémence Poésy’s unexpected mix of light, romantic chiffon and statement-making platform wedges — fashion-forward or a risky misstep? Here’s a closer look at the eye-catching Nina Ricci wedges that sparked the debate:
Nina Ricci Peep-Toe Platform Wedges, $844
There’s also this amazing nubuck, cork, and straw two-strap version of this wedge in the same exaggerated silhouette:
Nina Ricci Draped Nabuk Wedges, $1,422.00