Emilia Clarke Debuts Herbert Levine Relaunch Pumps Alongside Haley Lu Richardson

Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson took very different style routes at the New York premiere of their Peacock Original series, Ponies, held at the Whitby Hotel.

While Emilia Clarke leaned into sleek, minimalist elegance in an all-black look, Haley Lu Richardson embraced a lighter, more playful aesthetic—proving that at just 5ft 2 and 5ft 1½ respectively, both petite actresses (each wearing a US shoe size 6) know exactly how to use styling and heels to project two completely different red-carpet energies.

Haley Lu Richardson and Emilia Clarke share a warm red-carpet moment at Peacock’s Ponies New York premiere, contrasting Haley’s playful leopard mini and strappy heels with Emilia’s sleek black gown and classic pointed pumps at The Whitby Hotel on January 14, 2026 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

The two actresses star in the upcoming spy thriller, Ponies, set in 1977. The series follows Bea Grant, played by Emilia Clarke, and Twila Hasbeck, played by Haley Lu Richardson, two secretaries working at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. After the mysterious deaths of their husbands, they are pulled into the world of espionage and become CIA operatives, uncovering a dangerous Cold War conspiracy.

The eight-episode series follows their journey as they transform from so-called Persons of No Interest (PONIs) into skilled spies.

Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson star as secretaries-turned-CIA operatives in Ponies (Credit: Peacock)

With an intriguing storyline and two very different styles on display, their premiere looks were a fitting introduction to the series and their characters. Let’s take a closer look at what they wore that night.

Emilia Clarke Channels Sculptural Minimalism in The Row Dress and Herbert Levine Pumps

Emilia Clarke has a natural way of making classic pieces feel fresh, and her look at the Ponies premiere proved that once again. She chose an all-black ensemble that was understated yet striking!

Clarke stepped out in the $4,650 The Row “Anitas” dress, which stood out for its off-the-shoulder, cape-effect neckline. The top had a sculptural quality that beautifully framed her shoulders, giving the dress a strong presence. But below that, the silhouette softened into a relaxed, shapeless form that fell straight to her ankles. The dress, made in Italy from a wool-blend, held its shape naturally, with side pockets that added a subtle, modern edge.

The dress didn’t overwhelm Emilia’s frame. Even with its loose fit, she looked polished, and her choice to pose with her hands in the pockets only added to that cool feel.

Emilia Clarke exudes understated sophistication in a shapeless black The Row dress, its off-the-shoulder, cape-style neckline and ankle-grazing hem creating a sculptural silhouette that feels modern, effortless, and quietly dramatic (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Diamonds, Sleek Beauty, and Herbert Levine Pumps Elevate Emilia Clarke’s Look

I would have loved to see the neckline left bare, but she chose to layer on a $100,550 Chaumet “Bee de Chaumet” necklace in 18k white gold, set with 73 brilliant-cut pavé diamonds of 8.65 carats. It was striking and added a refined sparkle against the black. Her styling tied everything together. A sleek center-parted ponytail kept the focus on the dress, while sharp eyeliner and a bold red lip added contrast.

Emilia finished the look with Herbert Levine “Not Half Bad” pumps from the Fall/Winter 2025 collection. Made from viscose silk, the shoes featured pointed toes, V-shaped vamps, and a half d’Orsay that beautifully highlighted the contours of her foot. Set on 3.5-inch spool heels, they added height without distracting from the overall elegance of the look.

Emilia Clarke’s choice of Herbert Levine also lands at a pivotal moment for the American luxury shoe market. With renewed interest in heritage brands, the label’s return raises a compelling question: can a Herbert Levine reboot inject fresh excitement into U.S. luxury footwear?

Backed by Luvanis, a private investment firm focused on reviving high-end labels, the storied house—founded in 1948 by New York power couple Herbert and Beth Levine—once defined an era of innovation, function, and whimsical glamour before closing in 1975. A brief revival in 2008 hinted at its enduring appeal, but today’s red-carpet reintroduction suggests a more deliberate, fashion-forward reset.

A leather version of these pumps is available for $1,000 at Mytheresa.

Emilia Clarke completes her minimalist black gown with Herbert Levine’s “Not Half Bad” half d’Orsay pumps, their pointed toes, sculpted V-vamps, and slim spool heels adding quiet polish and architectural elegance to the look (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Haley Lu Richardson Embraces Playful Glamour in a Leopard Mini and Femme LA Mules

Haley Lu Richardson went in a completely different direction from her co-star, and I honestly loved the contrast. She chose a flirty, playful mini dress that exuded personality and confidence.

The bodice featured a slightly sheer leopard print that skimmed her figure, trimmed at the neckline with black velvet and delicate white lace. It dipped low and was held up by slim, light gray straps with silver threads, giving the dress a soft, lingerie-inspired feel.

The skirt was where things really got interesting. It finished with a tiered white lace mini featuring a ruffled texture, trimmed with red tartan and leopard accents. A lot was happening visually, but somehow it worked. On Haley Lu, it felt fun rather than overwhelming, and I liked how the mix of patterns and textures reflected her vibrant, fearless style.

Haley Lu Richardson brings playful glamour to the red carpet in a sheer leopard-print mini dress with a ruffled white lace neckline and skirt, grounding the flirty look with sleek black stiletto mules and a pop of red polish (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Sparkle, Attitude, and Femme LA “Whiskey” Mules Complete Haley Lu Richardson’s Look

Haley Lu added sparkle with diamond stud earrings and a bold cross pendant necklace. I wasn’t completely sold on the necklace, but it did add an unexpected edge. Her hair was worn straight and center-parted, while her makeup stayed fresh with eyeliner, rosy cheeks, and soft pink lips.

Her shoes tied the look together perfectly. Haley wore what appeared to be the “Whiskey” mules by Femme LA, which were sleek yet undeniably sultry.

The minimalist strap across the vamp kept the focus on her feet, while the open-toe design showed off her red pedicure. I loved the contrast of the slim straps against the dramatic 4.52-inch gold stiletto heels!

Handmade in Los Angeles from vegan materials, these mules added height and polish without competing with the dress. They balanced the busy, playful look with a confident, grown-up finish!

Haley Lu Richardson finishes her look with glossy red polish and Femme LA’s sleek “Whiskey” mules, the minimalist straps and towering gold stilettos drawing attention to her sculpted ankles and delicate foot tattoo (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

How Petite Actresses Use Heels to Command the Red Carpet

From Emilia Clarke’s refined minimalist pumps to Haley Lu Richardson’s bold, leg-lengthening mules, these looks underscore how petite actresses use footwear to shape silhouette, presence, and confidence on the red carpet. If you’re curious how other stars with similar proportions approach heels, styling, and designer shoes, explore more standout shoe and fashion moments below.