By the Avantelle Authentication Team · Last updated: July 2026
The Christian Louboutin Iriza is the house's signature d'Orsay pump: a pointed-toe stiletto with the side cut away to expose the arch of the foot. It comes in 85mm and 100mm, in patent leather, nappa, suede and laminated finishes. The key sizing detail most sources get wrong: the Iriza fits true to size. If you've been sizing up half a size for Louboutin, that's the So Kate rule, and applying it here will leave you with a heel that slips. Pre-owned pairs come through us regularly, authenticated and typically well under half the boutique price.
What is a d'Orsay heel, and why does the Iriza stand apart?
A d'Orsay pump cuts away the side of the upper to leave the arch of the foot exposed, while keeping the toe and heel covered. The Iriza takes that silhouette and pairs it with the house's pointed toe and stiletto heel, creating something that reads differently from both a sandal and a traditional closed pump.
We handle a lot of Louboutin pairs, and this model consistently surprises people who expect it to feel like a more open So Kate. It doesn't. The exposed arch changes the entire visual line through the foot and leg, and it changes how the shoe fits. That open side means there's no lateral structure gripping the midfoot, so the pump relies on exact sizing rather than the compression-and-stretch you get from a closed vamp.
The effect is distinctive: a longer, leaner line through the instep than a closed pump can manage. It photographs differently, moves differently on the foot, and once you've worn one correctly sized, you'll understand why people who own one tend to own several.
What heel heights does the Iriza come in?
Two heights: 85mm and 100mm. Both are current season in patent leather, and both carry Bestseller status on the Christian Louboutin site.
Honestly, the 85mm is where we'd steer you first. At that height the d'Orsay silhouette does its most considered work without demanding the compensation strategies that 100mm requires across a long evening. The pitch is present enough to feel architectural but not so extreme that you're counting the hours. If you want a d'Orsay you'll actually reach for regularly, not just admire in the box, the 85mm earns that spot.
The 100mm intensifies everything: a steeper pitch through the arch, a more dramatic leg line, and the kind of entrance only a 100mm stiletto makes. It's a beautiful shoe. It's also one you commit to for the occasion, in the way you'd commit to a So Kate 120 or a Hot Chick 100.
There is no 120mm version. The d'Orsay construction doesn't support extreme heights well, because the open side provides less structural support for the midfoot as the pitch increases. The 100mm is the ceiling, and that's a deliberate design choice.
Does the Iriza run true to size?
Yes, true to size for most foot shapes. This is the single most important thing to get right before buying, because the standard Louboutin sizing advice will lead you wrong here.
Here's why. The So Kate has a closed vamp that compresses the forefoot. Sizing up half a size gives the toes room without losing the heel grip that the closed counter provides. The Iriza has no lateral vamp: the side is cut away entirely. If you go up half a size, there's nothing holding the midfoot, and the heel counter can't compensate. The foot slides forward, the heel slips, and you spend the evening pulling the shoe back on rather than wearing it.
The house's own fit guidance is true to size. We'd echo that without hesitation. If you're between sizes on the So Kate and habitually size up, go true here. If you have narrow feet, stay at your standard size rather than going below it. The d'Orsay construction rewards precision above all else.
The Iriza fits through precision, not compression. Get the size right and the shoe does the rest.
Our full sizing guide covers how sizing varies across every major style from the house, and the size guide page has UK, EU and US conversion tables if you're cross-referencing.
How does the Iriza compare to the So Kate?
They share pointed-toe stiletto DNA and the same house. Everything about how they behave on the foot is different. Here's the comparison that matters:
| Iriza | So Kate | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | D'Orsay (open side, arch exposed) | Closed pump (full vamp) |
| Heel heights | 85mm, 100mm | 120mm |
| Sizing | True to size | Half size up |
| Forefoot feel | Less compression (no lateral vamp) | Snug, compressed toe box |
| Break-in | Shorter, less demanding | Longer, more intense |
| Best for | Longer occasions, warmer weather, a distinctive line | Maximum drama, cooler weather, a structured silhouette |
The closed pump fits through tension: the vamp holds the forefoot in place, and the half-size-up rule gives the toes room within that structure. The d'Orsay fits through precision: no lateral support, so exact sizing is everything. They're not the same shoe at different heights, and choosing between them is about what you want the silhouette to do. If you're weighing the So Kate against other closed pumps, the So Kate vs Pigalle comparison covers that decision in detail.
Is the Iriza comfortable for all-day wear?
More comfortable than you'd expect from a Louboutin stiletto, particularly at 85mm. The open side removes the forefoot compression that makes closed pumps demanding at height: there's no vamp pressing down across the instep.
At 85mm, it compares well to any 85mm stiletto once broken in. You'll get through an evening event, a wedding, or a full dinner without the foot fatigue that a 120mm heel delivers by hour three. At 100mm, the trade-off is closer to what any 100mm stiletto demands: manageable for an occasion, not for a full day on your feet.
Here's something we genuinely believe from the pairs that come through us: a pre-owned pair that's been worn several times is often a better first purchase than brand new. The heel counter has already shaped, the leather has softened through the arch, and the break-in work is done for you. With authenticated pre-owned Louboutin pumps at Avantelle from £139.99, you're getting a shoe that's already done the hard early wears at a fraction of the boutique price.
What materials and colourways does the Iriza come in?
The open side makes the material choice more consequential than on a closed pump, because the finish is visible across a much larger area of the foot.
Patent calf leather is the core material and the most available pre-owned. Black and Blush (a warm nude) are the permanent colourways. Patent reflects light across the exposed arch in a way that emphasises exactly what the d'Orsay silhouette does. It's also the easiest material to inspect and authenticate on a pre-owned pair.
Nappa leather (lamb) comes in Bianco, a clean off-white. Nappa moulds to the foot more readily than patent, which can ease the break-in noticeably. It reads softer and slightly more relaxed without losing the silhouette's precision.
Laminated nappa has a metallic finish with more movement in the surface than standard patent. Silver is the current laminated colourway. It shifts under different lighting rather than reflecting uniformly, which makes it particularly effective for occasions where you'll be photographed.
Suede comes in Zaffiro, a deep sapphire blue. Suede pairs need more careful handling, and the open side leaves the arch more exposed to scuffs and weather. Worth knowing before an outdoor occasion.
For pre-owned pairs, patent is the most forgiving material and the easiest to verify. Check the exposed arch cut-out edge for cracking or peeling, the heel tip for wear, and the interior lining at the arch, which takes more friction than on a closed pump. Our authentication guide covers the full detail of what to look for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a d'Orsay pump?
A d'Orsay pump is a shoe style where the side of the upper is cut away, exposing the arch of the foot while keeping the toe and heel covered. The Iriza is one of the best-known d'Orsay designs currently in production: the pointed toe and stiletto heel bring the house's aesthetic to a silhouette that creates a longer, leaner line through the foot than a closed pump can.
Does the Iriza run true to size?
Yes. It fits true to size for most foot shapes. Do not apply the "size up half a size" rule from the So Kate: the d'Orsay construction has no lateral vamp, so sizing up causes heel slippage. The house's own guidance is true to size.
What heel heights does the Iriza come in?
It currently comes in 85mm and 100mm. Both are current season in patent leather and carry Bestseller status. There is no 120mm version. We'd recommend the 85mm as a starting point: it's the height where the d'Orsay silhouette does its best work without limiting how long you can wear it.
Is the Iriza more comfortable than the So Kate?
At comparable heights, yes. The open side removes the forefoot compression that makes the So Kate demanding, and both heights (85mm and 100mm) sit lower than 120mm. The 85mm is among the more wearable stilettos in the range for longer occasions.
Does Christian Louboutin make lower-heeled pumps?
Yes. The Kate comes in 70mm, 85mm and 100mm. The Iriza at 85mm is another option that reads as distinctly Louboutin without the extreme pitch of a 120mm heel. For gentler heights still, the house's ballet flats and mules carry the red sole at lower angles.
Can you buy pre-owned Iriza pumps?
Yes. We carry authenticated pre-owned Louboutin across styles and sizes, and Iriza pairs come through regularly. Every pair is verified by our authentication team before listing. Browse the full collection or see our guide to buying pre-owned Louboutin in the UK for what to look for.
