Star of The Substance Becomes the First to Step Out in Chanel’s Controversial “Barefoot” Shoes on the Red Carpet

Margaret Qualley has put one of Chanel’s most talked-about accessories to the test. At the London premiere of her new film, the 31-year-old actress appeared in a black look by the French fashion house — and looked almost barefoot.

The statement piece was Chanel’s so-called barefoot cap heels, an unusual shoe design that covers only the heel, leaving the foot, arch and toes completely exposed. On the foot, the shoes look more like a piece of jewelry than conventional footwear.

The design first appeared on the Chanel runway in April 2026 and immediately became one of the most talked-about details of the collection. The internet was less than enthusiastic, while fashion critics debated where footwear ends and conceptual art begins.

The New York Times described the shoes as an example of “irrational, meaningless luxury,” while Vogue and Elle devoted separate features to the unusual design, questioning whether it represented the arrival of a new fashion trend or simply another experiment with the very definition of what can be considered a shoe.

Chanel first unveiled the unusual designs at its cruise show in Biarritz. The collection drew inspiration from Coco Chanel’s beach culture and the image of a woman who has just stepped out of the sea. The barefoot effect was therefore entirely intentional: the French fashion house explained that the “shoes” were designed to look almost like jewelry.

On the runway, they appeared in several colorways and were styled with other playful accessories, from fashionable swim caps to coral-shaped earrings and a giant Chanel bag.

Margaret Qualley has become one of the first stars willing to take the controversial accessory from the runway to the red carpet.

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