ENTERTAINMENT

Margaret Qualley's 'Barefoot' Red Carpet Shoes Spark Viral Outrage

PUBLISHED Aug 21, 2026, 9:29 AM ET

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Sources: 12

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Sources: 12

Margaret Qualley attended the London premiere of her new film, The Dog Stars, on August 20. She arrived alongside director Ridley Scott and co-stars Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin . Qualley's ensemble featured a classic black Chanel dress. The focus of attention, however, was her unconventional footwear. She wore controversial "barefoot sandals" from Chanel's Cruise 2027 collection . The shoes, designed by Matthieu Blazy, feature only a leather heel cap and laces. They leave the wearer's soles, toes, and the majority of the foot completely bare . The design was first presented on a runway in Biarritz, France, in April . Critics have described the style as an "oxymoron" in fashion, resembling jewelry rather than practical footwear . The appearance sparked immediate widespread criticism on social media. Users expressed confusion and amusement, questioning the design's purpose. Comments included criticisms such as, "Can we all agree that this is a horrible design," and "I feel like that's the wrong part of the foot to cover" . Another user compared the shoe's construction to the fable of "The Emperor's New Clothes" . Some observers noted that the shoes require impeccably groomed feet to wear . The specific variant worn by Qualley was black and featured two strings tied around the foot and a heel cap adorned with a gold Chanel monogram . This marks one of the first major red-carpet debuts of the controversial footwear since its introduction . The specific retail price of the shoes has not been made public .

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On April 2026 Chanel presented Cruise 2027 footwear designs during Biarritz fashion showcase.
On August 20, 2026 Qualley wore Chanel barefoot sandals at London premiere.
On August 20, 2026 Fashion outlets reported widespread debate about unconventional footwear choice.
On August 21, 2026 Additional coverage examined Chanel’s experimental heel-cap design concept.
On August 28, 2026 The Dog Stars scheduled theatrical release follows premiere attention.
Future: Chanel may continue showcasing experimental accessories through celebrity appearances.
Future: Designers may use unusual footwear concepts to generate fashion discussions.
Future: Consumer adoption remains uncertain because practicality concerns remain significant.
Future: Red-carpet appearances may influence luxury fashion trend conversations.
Future: Chanel’s response could determine commercial availability of sandals.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Celebrity fashion debate increases luxury footwear visibility among American consumers.
Long-term US impact: May influence experimental fashion trends and luxury marketing strategies.
Most affected groups: Fashion brands, designers, celebrities, consumers, and luxury retail audiences.
Reader priority: Compare verified reporting against viral reactions across social media platforms.