At the April 2013 premiere of Iron Man 3 in Los Angeles, Gwyneth Paltrow arrived in a look that prioritized architectural lines over traditional red-carpet modesty.
While the front of her Antonio Berardi gown appeared classic, the side profile revealed floor-length sheer panels that required her to forego traditional undergarments.
Gwyneth Paltrow radiates elegance and confidence in a glamorous dress at the Iron Man 3 premiere (Credit: Ai-Wire / WENN / Apega)
The design relied on geometric transparency to frame her silhouette, bypassing items like Spanx in favor of the gown’s own structural integrity.
Because the sheer mesh extended to the floor, the styling placed unusual emphasis on her footwear. Do you think the risk of styling a dress without underwear works in this context?
At the Iron Man 3 premiere on April 24, 2013, Gwyneth Paltrow showcased a daring Antonio Berardi Fall 2013 ensemble paired with striking Christian Louboutin Dufoura pumps (Credit: Ai-Wire / WENN / Apega)
Despite the initial public debate, Paltrow’s stylist, Elizabeth Saltzman, defended the choice in Us Weekly, describing the dress as a daring but elegant celebration of the actress’s discipline.
“Not only was it our first choice, it’s [also] beautiful, it’s cool, it’s daring in a no-daring way,” Saltzman told the magazine. “It looked great on her … it showed off her body. It’s spirit without being vulgar.”
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Antonio Berardi dress, worn at the “Iron Man 3” premiere in Los Angeles, drew significant attention and criticism for its sheer paneled skirt that exposed the sides of her body (Credit: Ai-Wire / WENN / Apega)
The sheer panels did more than provoke headlines—they strategically framed the footwear, drawing the eye to the architectural precision of the Christian Louboutin “Dufoura” sandals. Emerging as a defining it-shoe of early 2013, the Dufoura captured a moment when PVC entered high-fashion territory, pairing futuristic transparency with the house’s signature stiletto glamour.
At its core, the design balanced drama with engineering: a towering 135mm heel offset by a subtle platform, a sculptural ankle wrap in clear PVC that created a “floating” illusion, and a mix of metallic leathers and suede that added depth beneath the transparency. The rear-zip closure kept the silhouette clean and uninterrupted, reinforcing the shoe’s almost architectural lines.
A close look at Gwyneth Paltrow’s choice of footwear – the distinctive Christian Louboutin Dufoura sandals (Credit: Ai-Wire / WENN / Apega)
But the Dufoura wasn’t just visually striking—it sparked conversation. The same PVC shield that delivered its sleek, modern effect also trapped heat, leading to the now-infamous “fogging” seen on red carpets.
When Taylor Swift stepped out in the style at the 40 Principales Awards, and Teresa Palmer wore them during the Warm Bodies press run, photographers captured the condensation inside the shoe—turning it into a case study in the tension between fashion innovation and wearability.
Still, that didn’t stop its rise. Alongside appearances on Cassie and other early adopters, the Dufoura became shorthand for a sleek, futuristic edge—one that defined Christian Louboutin’s early-2010s “architectural” phase.
Christian Louboutin’s ‘Dufoura’ platform sandals, a popular choice among celebrities
Today, while no longer in production, the style lives on as a sought-after archive piece, prized by collectors drawn to its bold experimentation and unmistakable red-sole allure.
👠 Explore Christian Louboutin “Dufoura” Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 💧 Taylor Swift vs. Teresa Palmer in the Dufoura sandals captures the shoe’s most talked-about red-carpet moment—from its sculptural PVC ankle wrap to the infamous “fogging” effect that sparked a wider conversation about fashion versus function.
- 🎤 Cassie’s edgy BET “106 & Park” appearance shows how the Dufoura booties translate off the red carpet, pairing neon PVC and mixed materials with relaxed streetwear for a bold, music-driven look.
- ✨ The 2013 Elle Style Awards styling moment highlights how the Dufoura’s architectural silhouette could challenge softer, more romantic outfits—proving the shoe’s impact wasn’t always about harmony, but statement.