On December 11, 2019, Emily Ratajkowski attended the Uncut Gems premiere at The Dome at Arclight Hollywood alongside her husband, producer Sebastian Bear-McClard, who worked on the film.
Emily Ratajkowski displays the handwritten “F—K HARVEY” message on her arm, using the Uncut Gems premiere to combine a minimalist red carpet look with a public protest
While her black Hervé Léger Resort 2020 bandage mini dress drew attention, it was her black Merah Vodianova Ophelia lace-up sandals that quietly tied together one of her most memorable red carpet looks of 2019.
Producer Sebastian Bear-McClard attended the Uncut Gems premiere with his then-wife, Emily Ratajkowski, whose black Hervé Léger cutout mini dress and Merah Vodianova Ophelia lace-up sandals became one of her most recognizable late-2010s red carpet looks at The Dome at Arclight Hollywood in Hollywood on December 11, 2019 (Credit: Instar / WENN)
The premiere became memorable for more than fashion. Emily arrived with “F—K HARVEY” written across her arm in protest of the proposed settlement involving Harvey Weinstein and his accusers, turning the appearance into both a fashion moment and a public statement.
A closer look at Emily Ratajkowski’s asymmetric Hervé Léger dress reveals the architectural neckline and waist cutout that contrasted with her understated beauty look and delicate gold earrings
Emily paired the asymmetric cutout Hervé Léger mini dress with a black Tyler Ellis Aimee clutch, Inamorata Figure earrings from her own label, and the strappy Ophelia sandals by London footwear designer Merah Vodianova. The delicate lace-up heels balanced the structured bandage dress without competing with its sculptural silhouette.
The Ophelia sandal became one of the standout minimalist evening shoes of the late 2010s. Emily wore the same style repeatedly, while Kim Kardashian also made the lace-up heels a regular part of her wardrobe, helping establish the design as a recognizable celebrity favorite.
Hervé Léger’s Resort 2020 one-shoulder bandage mini dress combines the label’s signature sculpted silhouette with modern cutout detailing and an asymmetric neckline
Emily’s decision to rewear the same sandals just weeks apart showed how versatile the design was.
At the 2019 GO Gala in Hollywood one month earlier, she styled the black Ophelia heels with a crisp white mini dress, creating a completely different look while relying on the same minimalist footwear.
She also wore the sandals with an affordable Zara bodycon dress during the 2019 Harper’s Bazaar ICONS party, demonstrating how the shoes worked equally well with luxury designer pieces and high-street fashion.
Rewearing her black Merah Vodianova Ophelia lace-up sandals, Emily Ratajkowski proved the minimalist heels worked just as well with a sleek white mini dress at the 2019 GO Gala at the Neuehouse in Hollywood, California, on November 16, 2019
Founded in London in the mid-2010s, Merah Vodianova built a following for handcrafted Italian-made heels with clean, minimalist lace-up designs. The Ophelia sandal quickly became the brand’s signature style, appearing on celebrities including Emily Ratajkowski, Kim Kardashian, and Winnie Harlow during the late 2010s.
Merah Vodianova is no longer producing new footwear collections, making the Ophelia sandals effectively discontinued. While they are no longer available through traditional luxury retailers, authentic pairs still appear on reputable designer resale marketplaces, where they remain sought after by collectors of late-2010s fashion.
Why Emily Ratajkowski Kept Returning to the Same Merah Vodianova Heels
Emily Ratajkowski’s repeated wear of the Merah Vodianova Ophelia sandals illustrates what made the design so successful.
Whether paired with a sculptural Hervé Léger bandage dress, a minimalist white mini, or an affordable Zara bodycon look, the delicate lace-up heels adapted to dramatically different outfits without becoming the focal point.
Explore more of her signature footwear choices—from barely-there sandals and statement boots to everyday sneakers—in the curated features below.
👠 Explore Emily Ratajkowski’s Standout Shoe and Fashion Moments:
- 📏 Standing at 5’5½” (166.4 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 9, Emily Ratajkowski uses barely-there sandals, sharply pointed boots, and substantial platforms to shift the proportions and mood of her outfits.
- 🖤 See how Merah Vodianova’s delicate Ophelia sandals became a celebrity favorite, appearing on Emily Ratajkowski and Kim Kardashian in black lace-up versions that complemented rather than overwhelmed their statement looks.
- ✨ Trace Emily’s red-carpet footwear through Jimmy Choo, Giuseppe Zanotti, and other designer labels, from metallic Minny sandals with Oscar de la Renta to sleek black stilettos beneath a sequined David Koma gown.
- 👡 Her repeated Paris Texas Lidia mule appearances show how one curved-strap heel can move between polished tailoring, body-skimming dresses, and relaxed press-tour separates.
- 🔴 Emily’s cherry-red Acne Studios boots brought a decisive flash of color to a sculptural white dress, while her Courrèges and animal-print boot looks offered darker interpretations of Paris Fashion Week dressing.
- 🌆 Her New York street style moves easily between chunky Axel Arigato sandals and classic Converse sneakers, grounding low-rise trousers, oversized shirts, and cropped tops with practical off-duty footwear.