Honestly? We knew it wouldn’t be long before what is perhaps the most controversial shoe (if you can even call it that) of the year made its way onto the red carpet. Fashion has always loved an opinion-dividing shoe moment, and at last night’s The Dog Stars premiere in London, Margaret Qualley stepped out in Chanel’s much-discussed “barefoot” sandals, proving that even the most eyebrow-raising runway trends can find their way onto the red carpet.
There were plenty of highlights from the premiere, from Jacob Elordi arriving in Celine with his adorable dog, to Margaret’s elegant, ethereal and effortlessly cool black fringed Chanel dress. But it was the actress’s footwear that had everyone talking.
So, what exactly are the shoes?
First unveiled as part of Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel Resort 2027 collection in Biarritz, the sandals take the phrase “barely there” in the most literal sense.
© WireImage
© Getty ImagesThe divisive design consists of little more than a leather heel cap and delicate straps. There’s no conventional sole beneath the front of the foot, leaving the toes, arch and ball of the foot completely exposed. In other words, it’s less shoe and more suggestion of a shoe.
Does it count as actually wearing footwear? We’ll leave that decision up to you…
Of course, this is by no means the first time a celebrity has sparked a red-carpet footwear debate. From flip-flops to Crocs and no shoes at all, some of fashion’s most memorable moments have happened below the ankle - and they’ve often divided fashion fans across the globe.
We take a look back at some of the most statement-making footwear (or lack of) moments of all time.
© Getty ImagesDoechii - barefoot at the Met Gala, 2026
The singer went completely barefoot at the 2026 Met Gala in a custom red wine-hued Marc Jacobs look. She explained that she wanted to feel grounded and comfortable.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesJonathan Bailey - flip-flops at a photocall, 2025
Not quite a red carpet, but an official event for a film premiere. At the Jurassic World: Rebirth photocall in London, Bridgerton heartthrob paired his sophisticated The Row outfit with a pair of comfortable flip-flops.
© A24 via Getty ImagesMichelle Yeoh in Simone Rocha x Crocs, 2025
We are obsessed with this! At the LA premiere of Ne Zha II, Michelle wore a pair of bedazzled Siren Clogs from the Simone Rocha x Crocs collaboration.
© GC ImagesBrooke Shields - Crocs at the Tony Awards, 2024
Brook wore vibrant yellow Crocs on the Tony Awards red carpet in 2024, turning the notoriously divisive shoe into formalwear.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesJennifer Lawrence - flip-flops at Cannes, 2023
JLaw wore a spectacular red Dior gown paired with... black flip-flops. The footwear immediately became the subject of conversation, particularly because Cannes is synonymous with formal dressing. We'd argue, however, that her gown was so grand that the shoes weren't actually visible when posing for photos, so why all the fuss? There've been many more controversial Cannes footwear (or lack of) moments...
© AFP via Getty ImagesKristen Stewart - barefeet at Cannes, 2018
The unofficial queen of controversial Cannes footwear moments. Yes, she's worn trainers for photocalls, but undoubtedly Kristen Stewart's most notable moment was when she simply removed her high heels on the red carpet. Iconic.
© Getty ImagesJulia Roberts - barefoot at Cannes, 2016
Julia Roberts walked so Kristen Stewart could run. The Notting Hill actress went barefoot on the Cannes red carpet in a moment that landed amid the controversy surrounding the festival's high-heel expectations.
