The Maximalist Manifesto: Brooks Nader’s Strategic Hardware Moment in Giuseppe Zanotti and Dior
Brooks Nader arrived at Thursday evening’s taping of “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” in New York City armed with a simple yet effective styling formula: sharp architectural footwear paired with meticulous attention to hardware coordination. The result? A lesson in cohesive dressing that elevated what could have been predictable into something precisely calibrated.
The “Love Thy Nader” reality star selected strappy metallic gold stiletto sandals—appearing to be Giuseppe Zanotti’s Intriigo Claire 105 style, a silhouette recently championed by Rosé in white—that featured slender straps crisscrossing the foot and encircling the ankle with geometric precision. The pointed toe delivered striking angularity, creating vertical lines that elongated her frame whilst injecting editorial edge into an otherwise straightforward evening look.
Yet the true genius lay in Nader’s deliberate echo of metallics. Her sandals’ lustrous gold finish mirrored the signature “CD” hardware adorning her Christian Dior halter dress—a fitted black number featuring asymmetric hemline, exposed zipper detailing, and a plunging scoop neckline that walked the precise tightrope between sophisticated and provocative. The bodycon silhouette required no additional embellishment, allowing the house’s iconic lettering to serve as the sole focal point alongside her footwear’s reflective sheen.
Nader amplified the heat factor through strategic accessorizing: delicate rings provided whisper-quiet luxury, whilst a vibrant red manicure injected an unexpected colour moment that refused to be ignored. Her beauty execution proved equally calculated—glowing skin formed the canvas for sculpted brows, bright pink blush swept across cheekbones, and brown eyeshadow blended seamlessly into her crease. Black eyeliner and dramatic lashes framed her eyes, whilst pink lined lips completed the composition. Caramel-toned hair, centre-parted and blown out into bouncy waves, provided movement without competing for attention.
This appearance represents merely the latest chapter in Nader’s ongoing love affair with statement footwear. Recent weeks have witnessed her championing Saint Laurent’s glossy Casanova slingback pumps at iHeartRadio’s Z100 Jingle Ball, the brand’s Apolline style—distinguished by its elongated pinched toe—at Elle’s Women in Hollywood celebration in November, and daring thong sandals featuring stiletto heels at the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Her aesthetic philosophy, as articulated to WWD earlier this year, rejects the tyranny of minimalism. “Maximalism. I don’t know if this is technically trending, but can we make it trend?” Nader declared, before doubling down: “More is more. We only have one life, so let’s live it up and wear the crazy things. Even if someone says it’s too much.”
Indeed, her darker colour palette paired with bold accessories and clean silhouettes creates a signature that feels both considered and spontaneous—a delicate balance few achieve without veering into costume territory. Thursday’s appearance demonstrated this equilibrium perfectly: restrained in colour blocking, exuberant in detail coordination, and utterly uncompromising in its commitment to intentional glamour.
