All eyes were on Gwyneth Paltrow last night as she vamped up her usually prim look at a charity event New York.

The actress stepped out in vertiginous black heels that featured a S&M spin on this season's gladiator style complete with black nail lacquer on her toes.

Gwyneth, who attended the event without her husband Chris Martin, softened the look with a loose-fitting print dress and gently curled tresses.

Scroll down for more...

'Vamp': Gwyneth Paltrow stepped out last night in daring black heels

Gwyneth lent her support to the hunger-relief program Food Bank, saying last night: "I grew up in this city, and I worked in soup kitchens throughout high school, so being back here is like a full circle. I'm just thrilled to be here and to help in any way I can. As celebrities, we are given so much and we are very blessed.

Scroll down for more...

Kinky: her gladiator heels had an S&M spin and her nails were painted in black varnish

The star has made the most of her time in New York - over the weekend she attended a intimate wedding ceremony for Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z.

Scroll down for more...

Star power: Gwyneth teamed up with Helena Christensen at the charity event

Her mother Blythe Danner recently hit back at claims the celebrity pair, who have two children, are on the rocks.

She said: "I've never seen two happier parents and people. Happy, happy people."

Model behaviour: Petra Nemcova and Christy Turlington also lent their support to the charity