At the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies premiere in London on February 1, 2016, Lily James paired an Erdem Spring 2016 off-the-shoulder crop top and tiered skirt with black satin Aquazzura “Candela” pumps. The pointed-toe stilettos featured satin ankle ties, providing a simple black counterpoint to the sheer striped Erdem separates.
James joined co-star Suki Waterhouse on the red carpet, where both actresses wore looks that played with sheer fabric and nude lining. James’s Erdem ensemble used alternating sheer and opaque stripes over a flesh-toned underlayer, creating the appearance of exposed skin while maintaining coverage.
Lily James wears an Erdem Spring 2016 crop top and tiered skirt with black Aquazzura Candela pumps at the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies premiere in London on February 1, 2016 (Credit: Daniel Deme / Lia Toby / WENN)
The lightweight, layered skirt proved difficult in the windy conditions. As James posed with her co-stars, its hem and train repeatedly blew around her legs and caught near her thin stiletto heels, briefly turning the Aquazzura pumps into an unexpectedly important part of the red carpet moment.
Lily James Wears an Erdem Spring 2016 Skirt and Crop Top With Aquazzura Heels
The Erdem Spring 2016 look combined an off-the-shoulder crop top with a voluminous tiered skirt. Alternating sheer and opaque stripes, plus nude lining, created the collection’s skin-revealing effect without leaving the sheer sections completely uncovered.
Lily James wears an off-the-shoulder Erdem Spring 2016 crop top and tiered striped skirt
James grounded the pale, semi-sheer ensemble with Aquazzura’s black satin “Candela” pumps. The pointed-toe stilettos had a low-cut vamp and wide satin ankle ties that wrapped around the ankle before fastening in a bow.
The style fits into James’s longer history of choosing distinctive designer heels for major appearances. Her footwear has ranged from Christian Louboutin’s crystal-covered Cinderella shoes to metallic Jimmy Choo sandals and later pointed-toe pumps.
Lily James pairs her sheer striped Erdem Spring 2016 skirt and crop top with black satin Aquazzura Candela pointed-toe pumps and ankle ties
How Lily James’s Erdem Skirt Got Caught on Her Aquazzura Heels
The light layers were particularly vulnerable to the windy conditions on the red carpet. James became visibly windswept as gusts lifted the tiered hem and moved the skirt around her legs.
Lily James holds her lightweight Erdem skirt as wind lifts its layered hem on the red carpet
The combination of a long, lightweight skirt and narrow stiletto heels created another problem. While James joined Bella Heathcote, Ellie Bamber, Suki Waterhouse, and Millie Brady for cast photos, the fabric tangled around her feet and caught on her Aquazzura heels.
Lily James joins Bella Heathcote, Ellie Bamber, Suki Waterhouse, and Millie Brady for a cast photo at the London premiere
James nearly missed the group pose while trying to free the skirt, an example of the practical wardrobe problems involving dresses, skirts, and shoes that can arise when a floor-skimming hem meets a thin stiletto heel.
Lily James frees the train of her Erdem skirt after it catches around her black Aquazzura stiletto pump
What Are Lily James’s Black Aquazzura Candela Pumps?
The mishap also provided a clearer view of the “Candela” pumps. Made in black satin, the style combined a sharply pointed toe and slender stiletto heel with wide satin ties wrapped around the ankle.
Wide satin ankle ties distinguish Lily James’s black Aquazzura Candela pointed-toe pumps
A closer look at the pointed toe, stiletto heel, and satin ankle wrap of Aquazzura’s Candela pumps
James has continued to move between delicate stilettos and more substantial footwear on the red carpet. For a broader look at how her shoe choices work with her 5-foot-7 frame, see our guide to Lily James’s height, shoe size, and designer heel collection. Her other notable footwear moments include Christian Louboutin Follies crystal pumps and Louboutin for Ulyana Sergeenko pom-pom heels.
Aquazzura: The Italian Shoe Brand Behind Lily James’s Candela Pumps
Aquazzura was founded in Florence by Colombian-born designer Edgardo Osorio, who built the label around glamorous footwear produced with Italian craftsmanship. Before launching his own company, Osorio studied fashion in London and worked with luxury houses including Salvatore Ferragamo and Roberto Cavalli.
The brand name refers to “blue water” in Italian, reflecting Osorio’s Mediterranean influences, while the pineapple motif on Aquazzura’s soles became one of the label’s recognizable signatures. The Candela pumps reflect the brand’s early design language particularly well, combining a classic pointed pump with a more distinctive wrapped ankle treatment.
Aquazzura has since developed numerous recognizable red-carpet styles. For another ankle-focused silhouette from the brand, see how Eva Longoria and Lea Michele styled Aquazzura’s Linda sandals, or explore the crystal-covered Aquazzura Tequila heels worn by celebrities.
The Aquazzura Candela pumps are no longer part of the current collection. Shop similar Aquazzura shoes and current-season styles at Mytheresa and Nordstrom.
Aquazzura “Candela” satin ankle-tie pumps in black
More Lily James Designer Shoes and Red Carpet Heels
From embellished pumps to metallic sandals, James has worn a wide range of designer footwear across premieres, fashion events, and press appearances.
- 👠 Lily James’s height, shoe size, and best designer heels — See how she has styled Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and other luxury footwear over the years.
- ✨ Lily James wears Christian Louboutin’s Cinderella shoes — Revisit the crystal-covered shoes created for her Cinderella red carpet era.
- 💎 Lily James steps out in Christian Louboutin Follies crystal pumps — A closer look at another sparkling Louboutin style from her early red carpet years.
- 🌸 Lily James pairs an Emilia Wickstead floral dress with metallic Jimmy Choo sandals — A lighter take on her preference for slim, elegant stiletto heels.
- 🖤 Lily James sharpens a tailored look with Jimmy Choo pumps — See how her footwear style evolved into sleeker pointed-toe silhouettes.