Barefoot Luxury? Margaret Qualley Wears Chanel’s Viral Soleless Heel-Cap Shoes to The Dog Stars Premiere

Margaret Qualley caused quite a stir when she arrived at the Odeon Luxe, Leicester Square, in London for the world premiere of her upcoming post-apocalyptic sci-fi film, The Dog Stars.

Directed by Ridley Scott, the movie is set after a devastating flu pandemic has nearly wiped out humanity. The story follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a former civilian pilot living with his dog, and Bangley (Josh Brolin), a former Marine, as they face threats from outside while holding onto the hope of finding a better life. Qualley stars as Cima, a young medic and Hig’s love interest.

Margaret looked striking in head-to-toe Chanel, but her unusual footwear really got people talking. A longtime ambassador for the French house, she has become something of a red-carpet testing ground for its footwear, from Chanel’s classic two-tone slingback pumps to more directional designs.

This time, she stepped out in the viral heel-cap shoes first shown on the Cruise 2027 runway in April. And honestly, I never expected to see these on a red carpet. The barely-there design somehow felt fitting for The Dog Stars, given the movie’s stripped-back, survival-focused setting.

Margaret Qualley goes nearly barefoot in Chanel’s viral soleless heel-cap shoes, pairing the controversial Cruise 2027 design with a plunging black fringed Chanel dress at the world premiere of The Dog Stars at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on August 20, 2026 (Credit: Steve Vas / Future Image / Cover Images)

Margaret Qualley Makes a Bold Case for Chanel’s Viral Heel-Cap Shoes

Qualley clearly wasn’t afraid to take the unusual design for a spin. She has a history of embracing conversation-starting footwear—from Prada’s sculptural Twig sandals to Malone Souliers’ pointed Eunice heels—but these might be her most unconventional shoes yet. Calling them shoes is actually debatable, considering how little of the foot they cover.

The design consisted of a small heel cap accented with Chanel’s signature double-C logo, held in place by two slim straps crossing over the top of her foot. There was no traditional upper or sole, leaving her forefeet and most of her feet completely exposed.

The design was so minimal that it looked like she was walking directly on the floor with only the heel caps supporting her feet. And on Qualley, who stands 5’8″ and wears a US size 10 shoe, the barely-there construction made the effect even more noticeable. The heel itself was low and slim, while the absence of a traditional sole and upper made the design read more like jewelry for the feet than conventional footwear.

When the shoes debuted on Chanel’s Cruise 2027 runway, designer Matthieu Blazy told The Times he “wanted to evoke the down-to-earth feeling of a woman coming out of the beach or the sea.”

Margaret Qualley dares to wear Chanel’s barely there heel cap shoes featuring just a heel cap with Chanel’s double CC logo and two slim straps tied over the top of her feet (Credit: Yui Mok / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Margaret Qualley Steps Out in Chanel’s Striking Fringe-Covered Dress

Qualley grounded the unconventional shoes with a black Chanel dress from the Cruise 2027 collection, Matthieu Blazy’s first Cruise collection for the house since becoming creative director in December 2024. The monochromatic look continued her long-running relationship with Chanel, though it felt far more experimental than the sleek Chanel LBD and Gianvito Rossi Ribbon sandals she wore to the Honey Don’t! premiere.

The dress featured a streamlined, form-fitting maxi silhouette that skimmed her figure before falling into a long, column skirt. A deep plunging neckline extended toward her sternum, while short cap sleeves balanced the revealing front.

The drama came from texture, not color. Layers of tiered, disc-like fringe covered the black dress from top to bottom, catching the light and shifting with every step. Against the almost-naked heel caps, all that movement created an interesting contrast: maximalist Chanel above the ankle, barely any shoe below it.

Margaret Qualley looks barefoot at the premiere, pairing her heel-cap shoes with a black Chanel Cruise 2027 dress covered in layers of tiered fringe made up of small, disc-like pieces (Credit: Steve Vas / Future Image / Cover Images)

Margaret Qualley Pairs Tousled Waves With Striking Chanel High Jewelry

Qualley finished her Chanel look with the “Vol Suspendu” (Suspended Flight) earrings from the house’s Coromandel High Jewelry collection. Inspired by the Chinese lacquer screens once owned by Coco Chanel, the earrings depicted birds in flight. She also wore a Chanel N°5 drop ring on her black-manicured hand.

Her hair fell in loose, tousled waves over one shoulder, while her makeup stayed soft and polished, with a neutral rosy lip.

Margaret Qualley stuns with her Chanel Vol Suspendu earrings, thick eyebrows, rosy lips, and wavy raven hair (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages)

The shoes have yet to receive an official retail price from Chanel. When the design debuted in April, it had not been listed for sale and its price remained unknown; more recent fashion coverage has put the rumored cost at roughly $1,500 to $2,700.

From Barely-There Sandals to Heel-Less Designs: More Shoes That Challenge Convention

Chanel’s heel-cap shoes may be one of the house’s most radical footwear experiments, but they fit into a longer tradition of designers stripping shoes down to their essentials. For a closer look at the craftsmanship and details that define the real thing, see our guide to how to spot authentic Chanel shoes.