Why Nicole Scherzinger Kept Returning to Aquazzura’s Towering “Kaya” Platforms

On July 9, 2016, Nicole Scherzinger arrived at Wembley Arena in London for The X Factor UK Six Chair Challenge wearing an Amanda Wakeley Fall 2016 gown with black suede Aquazzura “Kaya” Plateau sandals.

The shoes were more than a one-off red-carpet choice. When she returned to the judging panel for Season 13, Scherzinger repeatedly used towering platforms and statement heels to finish her X Factor looks. Earlier in the season, she wore the same black Aquazzura “Kaya” sandals with a Rebecca Vallance blazer dress in Manchester, and she later appeared in the sand-colored version with a white jumpsuit in London.

For the Wembley appearance, the black suede pair complemented the contrasting black details of Scherzinger’s scarlet gown while adding substantial height beneath its sweeping floor-length silhouette.

Nicole Scherzinger wears her brunette hair straight with a deep side part for The X Factor Six Chair Challenge at Wembley Arena in London on July 9, 2016 (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

Amanda Wakeley’s Scarlet Gown Puts the Black Platforms in Focus

Scherzinger wore a floor-length scarlet gown from Amanda Wakeley’s Fall 2016 collection. The design featured long sleeves, cold-shoulder cutouts, contrasting black cuffs, and a thigh-high slit that kept her Aquazzura platforms visible as she walked.

Nicole Scherzinger pairs a scarlet Amanda Wakeley Fall 2016 gown with black platform sandals at Wembley Arena (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

A wide black leather belt defined the waist and picked up the gown’s black cuffs and the dark footwear. Scherzinger added several silver statement rings and earrings rather than introducing another color into the look.

Cold-shoulder cutouts, black cuffs, and a wide waist belt add contrast to Nicole Scherzinger’s flowing red Amanda Wakeley gown (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

Her beauty look followed the same red-and-black palette, with smoky eye makeup, black winged liner, and subtle reddish tones around the eyes. She wore her long brunette hair straight with a deep side part.

The thigh-high slit in Nicole Scherzinger’s Amanda Wakeley gown reveals her black Aquazzura platform sandals (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

Nicole Scherzinger Steps Out in Aquazzura “Kaya” Plateau Sandals

The footwear was Aquazzura’s black suede “Kaya” Plateau sandal, a substantial platform design with smooth leather trim, crossover ankle straps, and self-tie fastenings.

With an approximately 1.5-inch platform beneath the forefoot and a chunky 5.5-inch block heel, the Kaya delivered dramatic height without relying on the slender stiletto silhouette Scherzinger has also worn frequently.

Nicole Scherzinger wears black suede Aquazzura “Kaya” Plateau sandals with crossover ankle straps and chunky block heels (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

The proportions were especially effective with the Amanda Wakeley gown. Most of the shoe disappeared beneath the long hem, while the platform, peep toe, and thick heel became visible through the slit. The black suede also connected visually with the dress’s cuffs and waist belt.

A closer look at Nicole Scherzinger’s leather-trimmed Aquazzura “Kaya” sandals, featuring a roughly 1.5-inch platform and 5.5-inch block heel (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

Why the Aquazzura Kaya Became a Repeat X Factor Shoe

The Wembley appearance was part of a clear pattern in Scherzinger’s 2016 X Factor wardrobe.

On June 13, 2016, she had already worn the same black Aquazzura “Kaya” platforms with a Rebecca Vallance blazer dress at the Manchester auditions. That outfit exposed the entire shoe, pairing its heavy platform and ankle ties with a sharply tailored black mini and sheer polka-dot top.

She also owned the Kaya in a lighter color. During the London auditions, Scherzinger paired sand-colored Aquazzura “Kaya” platforms with a white Ellery jumpsuit, demonstrating how the same chunky silhouette could work with both dark tailoring and pale, wide-leg separates.

That repetition makes the Kaya particularly representative of Scherzinger’s footwear during her Season 13 return: rather than changing shoes for novelty, she returned to a silhouette that provided enough height for long trousers and floor-length dresses while staying visually substantial with shorter looks.

Aquazzura originally offered the “Kaya” Plateau in several suede-and-leather combinations, including black, sand/beige, and contrasting colorways. The style retailed for approximately $775.

Aquazzura “Kaya” Plateau sandals combine black suede with smooth leather crossover straps, a thick front platform, and towering block heels

Why Aquazzura Platform Sandals Keep Returning to the Red Carpet

Nicole Scherzinger’s “Kaya” sandals capture much of what has made Aquazzura platforms a recurring celebrity choice: dramatic height paired with substantial block heels and front platforms that visually balance the lift. Rather than disappearing beneath a gown like a delicate stiletto, these chunkier silhouettes can become part of the look themselves.

That formula has continued across Aquazzura designs ranging from suede platforms like Scherzinger’s Kaya to metallic, mesh, and strappy styles. The proportions often have a distinctly retro feel, while the thick platforms and block heels give floor-length gowns, minis, and tailored looks an equally strong foundation.

Scherzinger’s repeated use of the Kaya during The X Factor also shows the silhouette’s versatility. She wore the platforms with a flowing Amanda Wakeley gown, sharp black tailoring, and wide-leg separates—three very different outfits built around the same towering shoe shape.

Aquazzura has since revisited that platform idea in numerous statement styles, with celebrities choosing versions ranging from understated black to high-shine metallics. Here are more ways stars have worn the Italian label’s platforms: