Actress Margaret Qualley drew attention at the world premiere of her new film "The Dog Stars" for her choice of footwear: a pair of Chanel "barefoot" sandals priced at approximately £2,200. The avant-garde shoes, which appeared on Chanel's 2027 Cruise collection runway, have been met with both amusement and criticism, with some labeling them the "ugliest" shoes in the world.
During the red carpet event, GMA reporter James Longman lightheartedly questioned Qualley's decision to go shoeless in London's Leicester Square. "Are you barefoot?" he asked, to which Qualley responded, "I am! I've got like the little Chanel." Longman quipped, "So you're Chanel barefoot, I'm from London, I mean Leicester Square barefoot is a choice!"
The unconventional design has also sparked debate among fans online. Comments on social media ranged from disbelief and accusations that the fashion industry is mocking consumers to questions about the value of paying a premium for incomplete footwear.
Qualley, who plays Cima in "The Dog Stars" alongside Jacob Elordi, walked the carpet in a black, plunging, tasseled gown. The premiere also marked her first red carpet appearance since reports emerged of her separation from music producer Jack Antonoff. Qualley's representative confirmed the split to TMZ on July 10, stating that there was "no infidelity" and "no trust issues" contributing to the end of their nearly three-year marriage. The couple, who began dating in the summer of 2021, has not been photographed together since the Grammy Awards in February.
"The Dog Stars," a sci-fi film with a reported $110 million budget, is set to be released in US and UK theaters on August 28. The film's synopsis describes a post-apocalyptic world where a virus has decimated humanity, leaving survivors to contend with scavengers.