Rachel McAdams’ Style Evolution: Revisiting the Iconic Charlotte Olympia “Paloma” Platforms

Long before she was commanding the Broadway stage or the 2024 Tony Awards red carpet, Rachel McAdams was already a definitive master of high-contrast dressing. Today, we’re taking a nostalgic look back at 2011, revisiting one of her most daring red-carpet moments that perfectly captured the “platform era.”

At the time, the fashion world was under the spell of Charlotte Olympia, the “It-brand” whose sculptural designs redefined footwear height.

A prime example of Rachel’s fearless approach to color took place on January 11, 2011, at the London premiere of Morning Glory. Braving the winter chill at Empire Leicester Square, the actress proved that seasonal rules don’t apply when you’re wearing one of the decade’s most coveted shoe brands.

Rachel McAdams wears her hair down at the UK premiere of “Morning Glory” held on January 11, 2011, at the Empire Leicester Square in London (Credit: WENN)

She anchored her look with a vibrant pop of color, opting for her signature purple satin Charlotte Olympia Paloma pumps.

These iconic platforms offered a striking counterpoint to her patterned Suno dress, delivering dramatic height while preserving the clean, single-sole silhouette of a classic pump—a design balance that still feels remarkably modern.

Rachel McAdams turns heads in a daring, deep-plunge Suno dress paired with bold purple satin Charlotte Olympia pumps that perfectly elevated her red carpet look

The dress, adorned with a graceful pattern of blue and white, showcased a flared skirt that reached knee-length.

Its design was further enhanced with broad side panels, artfully cut to reveal a tasteful glimpse of the side, adding a touch of allure to the overall silhouette.

Rachel McAdams bares some side boob in a blue floral Suno dress (Credit: WENN)

While her red carpet choices have often leaned toward the avant-garde, McAdams’ on-screen wardrobe in Morning Glory offered a more pragmatic study of professional footwear. Unlike the architectural platforms she favored for premieres, her character Becky Fuller relied on a “functional-meets-fashion” rotation that mirrored the high-pressure newsroom environment.

While Harrison Ford’s character enjoyed the luxury of 40-year-old Bruichladdich and classic Ray-Bans, McAdams’ Becky Fuller navigated her career in a curated rotation of two pairs of Christian Louboutin heels and a reliable pair of classic Hunter rain boots.

Rachel McAdams grounds Becky Fuller’s high-pressure newsroom look with classic black Hunter Original Tall rain boots, a practical counterpoint to her otherwise polished on-screen wardrobe (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

The star of “The Notebook” styled her dress with a large gold ring and — we assume — a good amount of hidden fashion tape. She kept her makeup simple and wore her hair down.

Rachel McAdams wears bold purple satin Charlotte Olympia ‘Paloma’ pumps in her US size 7—adding drama and height to her red carpet moment (Credit: WENN)

Rachel finished her ensemble with Charlotte Olympia’s now-iconic “Paloma” pumps in rich purple satin—then a red-carpet favorite among fashion insiders—adding dramatic height to her 5-foot-4 frame and sharpening the elegant lines of her look.

The Charlotte Olympia Paloma Signature Court Island platform in rich purple satin delivers dramatic height with a sculptural platform and a sleek, timeless silhouette

This 2011 appearance marked a turning point, as McAdams transitioned from a rising star to a bona fide fashion authority. It’s a stark yet fascinating contrast to her earliest days in the industry.

Long before she was mastering the London red carpet, a 23-year-old Rachel was just beginning to find her footing as Danielle Mason in the 2002 Canadian TV movie Guilt by Association.

Seeing her journey from those grounded, early-career roles to the architectural Charlotte Olympia platforms of today highlights her incredible professional and sartorial evolution. She didn’t just grow as an actress; she transformed into a style icon who understands the power of a bold shoe to anchor a performance—both on and off the screen.

Mercedes Ruehl as Susan Walker, Daniel Magder as Max, and Rachel McAdams as Danielle Mason in the 2002 Canadian television film Guilt by Association (Credit: Incendo Productions)

More Iconic Shoe Moments From Rachel McAdams

From bold platform pumps to sleek red-carpet stilettos, Rachel McAdams has consistently used footwear to define her signature blend of elegance and confidence.

If you’re looking to explore more of her standout shoe choices—along with the designers behind them—the highlights below offer a deeper look at the heels, platforms, and proportions that shape her most memorable fashion moments.