Margaret Qualley Just Wore Chanel’s Viral Barefoot Heels at The Dog Stars Premiere

Published: August 21, 2026 Last Updated 36 minutes ago by FPN

Margaret Qualley has just given one of the most daring performances on the red carpet this year.

At the London premiere of The Dog Stars last night (August 20), the actress wore Chanel’s highly controversial “naked shoes”—the toe-showing, very thin heels that debuted on the runway this season and immediately sparked a split in the fashion world.

Together with her stylist Danielle Goldberg, Qualley became the first well-known celebrity to take these extreme shoe designs from the catwalk onto the red carpet, showing that daring now has a new form in the case of the naked shoe.

The look was a pure example of high-fashion risk-taking. The ink-black fringe Chanel dress had already drawn the eye thanks to its striking movement and slim shape.

The shoes that followed were designed by Matthieu Blazy, Chanel’s creative director, for the Cruise 2027 collection presented in Biarritz; they consist simply of a structured heel cap and two fine ribbon ties which lace across the top of the foot. The toes stay fully exposed, making the wearer’s pedicure an intentional element of the outfit.

Qualley embraced this idea by matching the shoes with a corresponding dark pedicure, thus completing the minimalist, almost jewellery-like effect.

From Runway Shock to Red Carpet Reality

When Blazy first introduced the barefoot heels, the online response was both quick and strong. Whether anyone would really wear them outside the controlled setting of a fashion show concerned both critics and fans.

The design challenges the definition of what a shoe can be by abandoning traditional coverage and focusing instead on visual effect.

It continues Blazy’s ongoing examination of Chanel’s design elements, for example, his colourful variations of the classic two-tone slingback, yet takes the concept of simplification to an even greater extent. There is no toe box, no solid upper, merely the impression of a shoe secured by those delicate ties.

The way Qualley chose his shoe seemed intentional. At a time when celebrities have adopted sheer fabrics, cutouts, and deliberate transparency on the red carpet, the naked shoe is the next logical (or illogical) step.

It takes the emphasis away from the body and makes the act of walking into a performance. The actress and her stylist knew what was required: this was not a safe accessory; it was a statement.

Photos from the premiere show Qualley moving across the carpet with confidence, the fringe of her dress swaying while the open-toe heels remained firmly in place. The contrast between the structured black dress and the almost-invisible footwear produced a striking, elegant yet rather surreal visual effect.

Those involved in fashion observed that the shoes fit perfectly with the overall appearance while also drawing the eye.

The Practical Mystery and Cultural Conversation

There is still one question: precisely how did Qualley go from the car to the carpet? Did she walk along the pavement in those fragile heels, or was there a last-minute change at the curb?

The details of wearing such a simple design in real life remain confidential and are known only to Qualley and Goldberg. This mystery only increases the appeal. These are no ordinary shoes. They are runway experiments that require commitment.

The situation also sparks wider discussions regarding fashion risk on the red carpet. For many years, “naked dressing” – that is, dresses which reveal more than they hide – has been the prevailing style at premieres and award shows.

Qualley’s choice of barefoot heels suggests the trend may be moving in a more conceptual direction. Since the toes are fully exposed, the design questions conventional notions of polish and coverage while maintaining a high level of glamour.

It still has to be seen whether the naked shoe will move from red carpets to the real streets; for the moment, Qualley has achieved the distinction of being the first. The fact that she has agreed to go with one of the season’s most controversial designs confirms her position as a fashion risk-taker who knows the power of a single, unforgettable detail.

At a night featuring many glamorous arrivals, Margaret Qualley stood out by wearing almost nothing on her feet and, in so doing, made it appear to be the most deliberate choice in the room.

Margaret Qualley was the ideal ambassador for Chanel’s viral barefoot heels, making the fashion discussion much more interesting.