Cynthia Erivo’s Red Louboutins Pay Tribute to Dorothy in Wicked Style
Cynthia Erivo leaned into Old Hollywood Oz iconography while promoting “Wicked” in London on Sunday. The actor, singer and author arrived at Soho House in custom Christian Louboutin Hot Chick pumps in Dorothy Red, a crystal-covered version of the brand’s distinctive silhouette.
Cynthia Erivo wears custom, red crystal-encrusted Christian Louboutin Hot Chick pumps as she arrives at a Wicked Event at Soho House on Sunday in London.
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The Hot Chick silhouette is defined by a pronounced arch, deep décolleté and scalloped edges that trace the sides of the foot. Erivo’s custom pair featured a 100-mm heel and Louboutin’s lacquered red sole, its surface covered in red crystals that replaced the usual patent shine. Though rooted in classic eveningwear construction, the design carried clear cinematic resonance — less costume, more couture callback.
A closer look at Cynthia Erivo’s shimmering custom Hot Chick pumps by Christian Louboutin.
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Erivo paired the statement shoes with a black mini suit layered under a plush faux-fur coat, keeping the color story tight and the focus below the hem. Accessories stayed shimmering, with crystal hood earrings and smaller studs up her ear, a nose ring, a dainty necklace and her signature sculptural nails, which have become a fixture throughout the “Wicked” press run.
Erivo’s footwear also mirrored the evolution of Oz itself. For “Wicked,” director Jon M. Chu brought in costume designer Paul Tazewell, who returned the enchanted shoes to their original silver hue — the color described in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” MGM later turned them ruby for the 1939 film, using Technicolor to make them unforgettable on screen. By stepping out in red, Erivo bridged “Wicked”’s silver palette with the cinematic legacy it reimagines.
Courtesy Everett Collection
The Hot Chick silhouette itself has seen a strong celebrity run this year. Keke Palmer wore the white patent version for a Los Angeles music event in August, while Nicole Scherzinger opted for the nude lamb-leather iteration earlier over the summer. Mary J. Blige’s red metallic slingbacks at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party earlier this year offered another tonal iteration. With her crystal pair, Erivo extended the Hot Chick’s streak — and brought a hint of Oz back into one of the season’s most-worn heels.