Bare Feet and a Fashion Scandal: Chanel’s New Show Divides the Internet

Chanel’s new Cruise 2026 collection has sparked a major wave of discussion on social media — ranging from admiration to accusations of excessive provocation. Users have been dissecting the show into quotes, memes, and controversial details.

Shoes that became a meme: “full foot frontal” and “let them eat pavement”

Particular attention was drawn to minimalist sandals and open shoes that left the foot almost entirely exposed. One of the most viral online comments described them as “full foot frontal.”

Other users went even further, reworking the famous phrase attributed to Marie Antoinette: “Chanel literally said: ‘Let them eat pavement,’” referencing the collection’s “urban” aesthetic.

There were also jokes suggesting the shoes were so open they should be photographed in close-up on the streets of New York and in subway stations.

The overall mood of the collection was described by critics as “between discipline and lightness,” as well as an attempt to merge urban everyday life with a dreamlike aesthetic.

Some of the audience and fashion commentators responded enthusiastically, noting:

• a “cinematic atmosphere”
• an “almost ghostly presence of the spirit of Coco Chanel”
• “architectural precision of silhouettes”
• and “a new level of craftsmanship from the designer”

At the same time, some critics argued that parts of the show were designed for virality on social media rather than fashion as art.

More radical and provocative runway elements from other brands were also discussed in the broader context of industry trends.

Some critics claimed such elements use the female body as a shock tool and blur the line between art and provocation.