In January 2012, Jennifer Hudson stepped out at a New York City book signing for her memoir, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down, wearing a sleek black dress paired with Yves Saint Laurent’s instantly recognizable “Tribtoo” cap-toe pumps in red suede and black patent leather.
“I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down” is a 2012 memoir by Jennifer Hudson that chronicles her journey to lose over 80 pounds and adopt a healthier lifestyle
At the time, the YSL “Tribtoo” platform pumps were one of the most photographed celebrity shoes on the market, known for their rounded almond toe, towering hidden platform, and contrasting cap-toe design.
Jennifer Hudson promoted her memoir in a long-sleeved black dress and red suede cap-toe pumps (Credit: PNP / WENN)
Hudson’s poppy-and-black version added a sharp burst of color to an otherwise understated outfit, showing why the silhouette became a favorite among celebrities, including Brandy Norwood and Britney Spears.
Jennifer Hudson arrives at her I Got This book signing at the Weight Watchers offices in New York City on January 11, 2012, wearing a fitted black dress styled with Yves Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” cap-toe pumps in red suede and glossy black patent leather, adding a bold pop of color to the streamlined look (Credit: PNP / WENN)
The artist later also wore black pointed-toe heels from Saint Laurent with a sleek white peplum dress at Variety’s 5th Annual Power of Women event.
For another Saint Laurent moment, see how Hudson styled studded lace-up platform booties with a bold black-and-white geometric dress at the Soul Train Awards 2013.
A close-up of Jennifer Hudson’s Yves Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” pumps highlights the style’s signature hidden platform, rounded almond toe, and glossy black patent cap-toe contrasted against vivid red suede
Later that year, the Yves Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” continued its reign as one of Hollywood’s defining platform pumps when Britney Spears stepped out in the towering heels during The X Factor auditions circuit.
Britney Spears Brings Early-2010s Glamour to the YSL “Tribtoo” Era
Britney Spears poses at The X Factor auditions in Austin, wearing a neon-pink Brian Lichtenberg mini dress paired with towering black glitter platform pumps that amplified the look’s bold proportions
Britney Spears leaned fully into the exaggerated glamour of the early 2010s, pairing the towering platform pumps with a textured hot-pink Brian Lichtenberg mini dress featuring a sheer mesh inset that emphasized the look’s sculpted silhouette.
Singer Britney Spears, in a Brian Lichtenberg dress, arrives at The X Factor Auditions at The Frank Erwin Center on May 24, 2012, in Austin, Texas (Credit: WENN)
At the time, she was experiencing a psoriasis breakout on her ankle.
A close-up of Britney Spears’ black glitter platform pumps reveals the exaggerated hidden platform and sharply curved stiletto silhouette that defined early-2010s statement heels
Britney Spears styled the sparkling platform heels with bare legs and a fitted textured mini dress, creating a high-contrast look built around dramatic height and shimmer
Why the Yves Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” Still Defines an Era of Celebrity Shoe Fashion
Long before today’s sharper, minimalist stilettos took over luxury fashion, the Yves Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” pump dominated red carpets with its concealed platform, rounded almond toe, and dramatic sky-high heel.
Designed during Stefano Pilati’s era at YSL, the silhouette became one of the defining shoes of the late 2000s and early 2010s — equally at home with body-con minis, skinny jeans, and high-glam event dressing.
Though no longer produced, the Tribtoo remains one of the most recognizable celebrity heels of its generation, with vintage pairs continuing to surge in popularity as 2010s fashion cycles back into focus.
👠 Explore Yves Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” Shoe Moments:
- 💃 Julianne Hough paired nude Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” pumps with a bold Alberta Ferretti mini dress, showcasing the silhouette’s signature leg-lengthening effect during the height of the platform-pump era.
- 🎀 Ashley Tisdale styled beige suede Yves Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” pumps with a romantic lace premiere dress, balancing the shoe’s dramatic proportions with softer, feminine styling.
- 🎤 Britney Spears performed Psy’s viral “Gangnam Style” choreography in towering nude “Tribtoo” pumps, proving how wearable the hidden-platform design became for celebrities during the early 2010s.
- 🖤 Christina Aguilera embraced the exaggerated platform silhouette in glossy black YSL “Tribtoo” pumps, leaning into the shoe’s pin-up glamour and dramatic height.
- 👻 Paris Hilton added gray YSL “Tribtoo” slingback pumps to her Miley Cyrus-inspired Halloween look, giving the playful costume a polished designer finish.
- ❤️ Rare monochromatic red Saint Laurent “Tribtoo” pumps highlighted the short-lived red-sole era that became part of YSL’s famous legal battle with Christian Louboutin.