Lupita Nyong’o Stuns in Ronald van der Kemp Dress, But Did Her Jimmy Choos Miss the Mark?

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While romance rumors continued to swirl around ‘Black Panther’ stars Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B. Jordan, the Kenyan-Mexican actress let her style take center stage at the 2018 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Oscars Luncheon.

Stepping out solo at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Lupita proved once again that she doesn’t need a plus-one to turn heads—her bold fashion choices do all the talking.

Lupita Nyong’o wearing Jacquie Aiche jewelry at the 2018 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on March 1, 2018Lupita Nyong’o wearing Jacquie Aiche jewelry at the 2018 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Oscars Luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on March 1, 2018 (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Adriana M. Barraza)

The Academy Award winner hit the black carpet in a purple and black mini dress from the Ronald van der Kemp Fall 2017 Couture collection featuring floral embellishments.

Lupita Nyong'o dazzles in a bold Ronald van der Kemp Fall 2017 couture mini dress featuring striking pink floral patterns, black accents, and a structured leather waist beltLupita Nyong’o dazzles in a bold Ronald van der Kemp Fall 2017 couture mini dress featuring striking pink floral patterns, black accents, and a structured leather waist belt

She styled the dress with an underwhelming pair of velvet pumps from Jimmy Choo, Jacquie Aiche jewelry, and a clutch by Christian Louboutin.

As seen in her previous standout looks, Lupita Nyong’o is no stranger to pairing high-fashion ensembles with statement footwear. At the GQ Men of the Year Party, she impressed in a Christopher Kane creation complemented by elegant Louboutin heels.

Similarly, during the Accenture Gala European premiere of ’12 Years a Slave’ at the BFI London Film Festival, Lupita captivated audiences in a Christopher Kane body-con dress, perfectly paired with Christian Louboutin’s ‘Paulina’ pumps. These instances highlight her ability to seamlessly integrate high-fashion pieces with iconic footwear, solidifying her status as a style icon.

Lupita Nyong’o stuns in a bold Ronald van der Kemp Fall 2017 couture mini dressLupita Nyong’o stuns in a bold Ronald van der Kemp Fall 2017 couture mini dress

While elegant, Lupita Nyong’o’s choice of Jimmy Choo velvet pumps didn’t quite match the vibrancy of her Ronald van der Kemp couture dress.

The deep hue and understated design of the pumps contrasted with the dress’s bold floral embellishments, resulting in a less cohesive ensemble. A brighter metallic pump, like Jimmy Choo’s Romy or a sleek strappy sandal, might have better complemented the dress’s bold details.

Lupita Nyong'o's Jimmy Choo velvet pumps, while luxurious, appear underwhelming against the bold ensemble, lacking the statement needed to elevate the overall lookLupita Nyong’o’s Jimmy Choo velvet pumps, while luxurious, appear underwhelming against the bold ensemble, lacking the statement needed to elevate the overall look

Explore More Celebrity Looks Featuring Ronald van der Kemp Couture

For readers wanting to explore more of Ronald van der Kemp’s couture creations and the celebrities who bring them to life, Your Next Shoes has you covered. Discover how Emma Watson’s Golden Globe look featured a custom Ronald van der Kemp gown paired with statement flats in our article on celebrities wearing glamorous flats on the red carpet.

If bold tailored fashion is more your style, see how Zendaya stunned in a Ronald van der Kemp suit during her London press tour in our coverage of Zendaya’s standout red carpet fashion. Dive deeper into how A-list stars embrace Ronald van der Kemp couture and other daring designer choices in our celebrity style archives.