Margaret Qualley brought one of Chanel’s most talked-about footwear designs from the runway to the red carpet — although calling them “shoes” might be generous.
The 31-year-old actress attended the London premiere of The Dog Stars on Thursday, August 20, wearing Chanel’s viral soleless “barefoot” sandals. The unusual design consists primarily of a small heel covering and thin straps tied around the ankle, leaving the toes and much of the foot completely exposed.
Qualley leaned fully into the barely-there look, showing off a black pedicure as she posed at the premiere. When asked about the unconventional footwear on the red carpet, she confirmed that the effect was intentional, joking, “I’m Chanel barefoot!”
She paired the statement shoes with a black Chanel dress featuring a plunging neckline, short sleeves and textured fringe detailing. While the dress offered classic red-carpet elegance, the almost nonexistent footwear quickly became the standout element of the ensemble.
The sandals first attracted attention when Chanel creative director Matthieu Blazy introduced the design as part of the fashion house’s Resort 2027 collection in Biarritz. Rather than featuring a traditional sole, the design leaves most of the foot in direct contact with the ground, making it one of Chanel’s more unconventional recent accessories.
Qualley’s appearance marked a major celebrity red-carpet moment for the divisive design, and photos from the premiere quickly fueled another round of online discussion. Some fashion fans praised the experimental concept, while others questioned the practicality of wearing essentially soleless footwear outside.
Whether they become fashion’s next major shoe trend or remain a memorable runway experiment, Qualley certainly gave Chanel’s “barefoot” sandals exactly what they needed: a headline-making red-carpet debut.
