Margaret Qualley has once again proved that red-carpet fashion is all about taking risks. At the London premiere of her upcoming film The Dog Stars, the actress turned heads with one of the most talked-about footwear choices of the season: Chanel’s unconventional “barefoot sandals.”
Qualley attended the film’s world premiere on August 20, 2026, wearing the striking Chanel creation, which looks more like an elegant accessory for the feet than a traditional pair of shoes. The unusual design immediately became a talking point among fashion fans and social media users.
Chanel’s Barefoot Sandals Make a Bold Statement
The sandals were introduced as part of Chanel’s Cruise 2027 collection, designed by Matthieu Blazy. Unlike conventional sandals, the design leaves most of the foot completely exposed, with a leather heel section and delicate straps creating the illusion that the wearer is walking barefoot.
The unconventional footwear was first showcased during Chanel’s resort presentation in Biarritz earlier this year, where the collection explored a relaxed, beach-inspired approach to luxury fashion. What looked experimental on the runway has now made its way onto one of fashion’s biggest stages—the red carpet.
A Classic Chanel Dress Meets Avant-Garde Footwear
For the The Dog Stars premiere, Qualley paired the unusual sandals with a sophisticated black Chanel dress featuring cap sleeves and delicate fringe details. The elegant silhouette provided a classic contrast to the experimental footwear, allowing the sandals to become the unexpected focal point of her look.
Her styling was otherwise understated, with soft waves, minimal jewelry and dark nail polish complementing the overall look. Rather than competing with the statement shoes, the rest of the outfit kept the focus firmly on Chanel’s unusual creation.
Margaret Qualley Embraces Fashion’s Risk-Taking Spirit
Qualley’s red-carpet appearance highlights an increasingly popular direction in high fashion: turning everyday concepts into unexpected luxury statements.
The idea of a shoe that leaves the majority of the foot uncovered may sound impractical, but that is precisely what makes the design so intriguing. Fashion has always pushed boundaries, and Chanel’s barefoot sandals take that philosophy quite literally.
The look has already generated plenty of reactions online, with some fashion followers praising its originality while others have questioned the practicality and aesthetics of the design.
From Runway Experiment to Red-Carpet Moment
What makes Qualley’s appearance particularly interesting is that she has taken a highly experimental runway piece and placed it in a formal red-carpet setting.
Instead of choosing a conventional pair of heels or sandals to complete her Chanel look, she embraced the unusual design completely. It is a reminder that celebrity red-carpet fashion is not always about wearing the safest or most traditionally glamorous outfit—it is also about creating a moment people will remember.
And Margaret Qualley certainly achieved that.
The Verdict
Whether you love them or think they are one fashion experiment too far, Chanel’s barefoot sandals are difficult to ignore. Margaret Qualley’s decision to wear them at The Dog Stars premiere has transformed an already controversial runway design into one of the season’s most memorable celebrity fashion moments.
For fashion lovers, it will be interesting to see whether Chanel’s barefoot aesthetic becomes a short-lived runway experiment or inspires a wider footwear trend.
What do you think of Margaret Qualley’s Chanel barefoot sandals—fashion-forward or simply too unusual?
Related: Follow the latest celebrity red-carpet looks, runway trends and fashion model news on Gloss & Glamor.
