Actor Alexander Skarsgård sparked widespread online debate after stepping onto the red carpet at the 70th BFI London Film Festival. He wore a metallic gold Saint Laurent suit paired with entirely transparent PVC lace-up oxfords. The Swedish actor attended the festival screening of his upcoming film, Wicker, on Thursday, October 8, 2026. His bare feet remained fully visible through the innovative footwear.
According to fashion and entertainment reports, Skarsgård wore the label’s “O.Fan” Derby shoes-constructed from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-without an undershirt beneath his shimmering two-piece metallic jacket and matching trousers. The unique footwear debuted during Saint Laurent’s spring menswear runway shows earlier in the summer, capturing industry attention for breaking traditional men’s dress shoe conventions.
The Inspiration Behind Saint Laurent’s Transparent Men’s Shoes
Corrado De Biase, Saint Laurent’s freelance design director of men’s and women’s footwear, previously explained the creative vision behind the transparent style. Conceived under creative director Anthony Vaccarello, the shoes were designed as a playful challenge to conventional menswear norms.
De Biase noted that the design team joked about why men are often reluctant to show their feet. This led to the creation of a footwear option for men with well-maintained feet. The moniker “O.Fan” draws direct inspiration from the platform OnlyFans, reflecting modern digital culture where foot content has gained massive popularity.
“It was a joke between us to say, ‘I don’t understand why men are scared to show their feet,’ because there’s a lot of beautiful men that have beautiful feet and like to show it,” De Biase explained. He added that the design pays homage to the house’s historical ties with youthful counter-cultures.
Fan Reactions and Red Carpet History
As images from the BFI London Film Festival red carpet circulated online, fans and fashion commentators were divided. Some praised Skarsgård for embracing boundary-pushing gender-fluid fashion risks. Others humorously questioned the practical nature of wearing unventilated plastic footwear during a lengthy public appearance.
This appearance continues a growing trend of unconventional footwear choices by the actor. Earlier in the year, Skarsgård wore Valentino Rockstud flip-flops at the Sundance Film Festival. He also sported Saint Laurent’s thigh-high leather “Joe” boots at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of The Phoenician Scheme.
About the Film: Wicker
At the London screening, Skarsgård joined his Wicker co-stars Olivia Colman, Elizabeth Debicki, and Peter Dinklage. Directed as an unconventional romantic fantasy, the film adapts Ursula Wills’ short story The Wicker Husband.
In the film, Skarsgård plays a magical husband woven entirely out of wicker, brought to life at the request of a lonely fisherwoman played by Colman. The feature blends dark comedy with romance and is slated for commercial theatrical release in late October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shoes did Alexander Skarsgard wear at the BFI London Film Festival?
Alexander Skarsgard wore Saint Laurent’s transparent lace-up Derbies in TPU, commonly referred to as the “O.Fan” shoe, paired with a metallic gold suit.
Why are Saint Laurent’s transparent shoes called O.Fan?
According to Saint Laurent footwear designer Corrado De Biase, the shoes got their moniker as a playful nod to OnlyFans, acknowledging contemporary internet culture surrounding foot appreciation.
What film was Alexander Skarsgard promoting at the festival?
Skarsgard was promoting his fantasy-romance film Wicker, in which he stars alongside Olivia Colman, Peter Dinklage, and Elizabeth Debicki.
Who designed Alexander Skarsgard’s gold red carpet suit?
The metallic gold suit and transparent footwear were both designed by luxury fashion house Saint Laurent.
Has Alexander Skarsgard worn unconventional footwear before?
Yes, the actor has a history of bold red carpet fashion choices, previously wearing thigh-high leather boots at Cannes and flip-flops at Sundance.
