Alexander Skarsgård, 50, has spoken out after his transparent Saint Laurent footwear sparked a viral fan meltdown.
The “True Blood” alum hit the BFI London Film Festival Thursday in an all-gold Saint Laurent suit with completely clear plastic shoes, becoming the first man to wear the runway style since its June debut. The look instantly fractured social media into camps of admirers and detractors.
Former “Summer House” star Paige DeSorbo fired back at the footwear on her platform. “We must draw the line somewhere,” she wrote. Her dismissal landed among a chorus of grossed-out observers. “New ick unlocked 🤢,” one fan commented, while another quipped, “You wouldn’t even be able to see my toes, it would be so steamy.” The condensation concern spread fast. “Oh my God, those shoes must stink between plastic and sweat,” a commenter added.
Yet plenty rallied behind the Swedish actor’s boldness. “He can pull off whatever,” one supporter said. Another declared flatly, “He can wear ANYTHING.” Several fans read the choice as deliberate provocation. “Alex likes to get reactions,” one wrote, while another speculated, “I swear hes screwing with us. He will wear anything.”
The clear kicks were first unveiled on the Saint Laurent runway in June, where ambassador Connor Storrie later modeled PVC and vinyl pieces during Paris’ hottest day on record. Skarsgård’s London appearance came in comparatively mild conditions, though the shoe’s impracticality remained a talking point.
This premiere continues a pattern of daring fashion choices for the actor. During promotion for “Pillion,” in which he played a leather daddy, he rotated through leather pants, short shorts, and delicate sequined tops. Earlier in 2025, he joined a wave of Hollywood leading men stepping out in Saint Laurent thigh-high leather boots.
The “Wicker” premiere marked his latest collaboration with the French house, pairing the transparent footwear with a shirtless gilded suit that would have dominated attention on any ordinary red carpet. The shoes seized it instead.
Skarsgård stars in the film as a magical man made of wicker who marries a fisherwoman played by Olivia Colman. The steamy comedy opens in theaters Oct. 23.
The actor has built a reputation for sartorial risk across his promotional cycles, treating press tours as opportunities for experimentation rather than safe choices. His “Pillion” run established that template with its leather-and-sequin combinations, and the “Wicker” tour appears set to push further.
Whether the transparent shoes represent genuine aesthetic commitment or calculated trolling, fans continue feeding the engagement he seems to court. The divided response only amplifies the moment.
“Wicker” lands in theaters Oct. 23.