Margaret Qualley brought one of Chanel’s most talked-about runway designs straight to the red carpet.
The actress attended the London premiere of Ridley Scott’s upcoming film The Dog Stars wearing a black Chanel dress paired with the fashion house’s unconventional “barefoot sandals” — a design that leaves most of the foot completely exposed.
The footwear first attracted attention when Matthieu Blazy presented Chanel’s Resort 2027 collection in Biarritz, France.
Now, just months later, the controversial runway look has officially made its way into celebrity red carpet fashion.
For actors, models, stylists, and fashion professionals, Qualley’s appearance is another example of how red carpets have become major extensions of fashion campaigns — and how a single styling decision can dominate the conversation surrounding a movie premiere.
Margaret Qualley Brings Chanel’s Barefoot Sandals to the Red Carpet
Qualley attended the premiere of The Dog Stars in London wearing a little black Chanel dress designed by Matthieu Blazy.
The dress itself was relatively classic, featuring short sleeves and delicate fringe detailing.
But the footwear was anything but traditional.
Rather than wearing heels, boots, or traditional sandals, Qualley wore Chanel’s so-called barefoot sandals.
The design consists primarily of a small heel covering secured around the foot, leaving the toes, arches, and soles largely exposed.
The unusual look immediately became one of the most noticeable elements of her premiere outfit.
What Are Chanel’s Barefoot Sandals?
Chanel introduced the barefoot-style footwear during its Resort 2027 collection.
The design attracted attention almost immediately because it challenges the traditional definition of a shoe.
There is very little material beneath the foot.
Instead, the design creates the visual impression that the wearer is almost barefoot while still incorporating Chanel branding and luxury detailing.
The style fits into a broader fashion movement sometimes described as the “non-shoe” trend.
Designers have increasingly experimented with footwear that is intentionally minimal, deconstructed, or designed to blur the line between wearing shoes and going barefoot.
Whether consumers actually want to wear them on city streets is another question.
But on the runway — and now on the red carpet — practicality is not necessarily the goal.
Margaret Qualley’s Chanel Look Makes Sense for Her Personal Style
Qualley has developed a reputation for taking unconventional approaches to red carpet fashion.
Her style often combines classic silhouettes with romantic, playful, or unexpected elements.
That makes Chanel’s barefoot sandals a particularly natural choice.
On another celebrity, the shoes could easily feel like a gimmick.
On Qualley, the styling fits with an aesthetic that frequently feels relaxed, artistic, and slightly unconventional.
The contrast also works.
The Chanel dress is polished and traditional.
The shoes are strange and almost unfinished.
That tension makes the outfit memorable.
And in modern celebrity fashion, being memorable is often the point.
Why Red Carpet Fashion Matters More Than Ever
Movie premieres are no longer simply promotional appearances.
They are major fashion marketing events.
When an actor walks a red carpet wearing Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Prada, or another luxury label, the photos may circulate across:
Instagram
TikTok
Fashion publications
Entertainment websites
Celebrity accounts
Pinterest
YouTube
News outlets
A single appearance can generate millions of impressions.
That makes the relationship between entertainment and fashion increasingly valuable.
Fashion brands gain exposure.
Actors strengthen their personal brands.
Stylists build reputations.
Movies gain additional publicity.
Everyone benefits when the look becomes part of the cultural conversation.
Fashion and Film Are Becoming More Connected
Qualley’s Chanel moment illustrates a larger trend across entertainment.
Actors increasingly serve as fashion ambassadors.
Luxury brands increasingly work directly with celebrities.
Movie premieres increasingly function like fashion shows.
And fashion houses increasingly create content around actors, musicians, creators, and entertainment personalities.
That crossover creates opportunities beyond traditional runway modeling.
Productions and fashion companies now regularly need:
Models
Actors
Stylists
Makeup artists
Hair professionals
Photographers
Videographers
Content creators
Brand ambassadors
Production assistants
Fashion assistants
Social media producers
For Project Casting members, that means fashion opportunities can appear in many different forms.
A job may involve a runway one week and a branded short film the next.
What This Means for Actors
Actors should understand that image and presentation have become meaningful parts of a modern entertainment career.
This does not mean actors need expensive designer clothing.
It means understanding how personal style contributes to public perception.
Once an actor begins attending premieres, festivals, press events, or award shows, fashion can become part of their professional brand.
A strong relationship with a stylist can help an actor:
Develop a recognizable image
Build relationships with fashion houses
Earn media coverage
Secure brand partnerships
Stand out at premieres
Expand into fashion campaigns
Actors should still prioritize performance and craft.
But public-facing opportunities can increasingly affect an actor’s overall career.
What This Means for Models
Celebrity red carpet fashion can also influence modeling opportunities.
When a high-profile actor wears a runway piece, interest in that designer or collection often increases.
That can lead to more demand for:
Runway models
Fit models
Editorial models
E-commerce talent
Campaign models
Showroom models
Fashion content creators
Fashion brands frequently need talent across multiple platforms after a collection receives media attention.
A runway trend can become a campaign.
A campaign can become social content.
Social content can create new casting opportunities.
What This Means for Stylists and Fashion Professionals
The person behind a memorable celebrity outfit can become almost as important as the celebrity wearing it.
Stylists play a major role in shaping how actors are perceived.
They work with:
Fashion houses
Designers
PR teams
Actors
Managers
Publicists
Photographers
A successful premiere look can generate major attention for everyone involved.
That is why styling has become an increasingly important creative career within entertainment.
Fashion and film are no longer separate industries.
They constantly overlap.
Could Chanel’s Barefoot Sandals Become a Trend?
Whether people start wearing barefoot sandals in everyday life remains to be seen.
The design is undeniably impractical in many real-world environments.
But practicality has never been the only purpose of runway fashion.
Sometimes a design exists to create conversation.
In that respect, Chanel’s barefoot sandals are already successful.
The shoes debuted on a major runway.
Fashion audiences debated them.
Now a high-profile actress has worn them at a movie premiere.
That sequence is exactly how unusual runway ideas can enter mainstream fashion culture.
What Is The Dog Stars?
The Dog Stars is an upcoming film directed by Ridley Scott.
The movie stars Margaret Qualley alongside Jacob Elordi and is based on Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel of the same name.
The story takes place after a devastating pandemic and follows survivors navigating a dramatically changed world.
The London premiere brought additional attention to the film, with Qualley’s fashion choice becoming one of the event’s most widely discussed red carpet moments.
Why This Matters for Project Casting
Entertainment careers increasingly cross between acting, fashion, social media, and branded content.
Project Casting members should think broadly about where opportunities may come from.
Actors may book fashion campaigns.
Models may appear in commercials.
Creators may cover premieres.
Stylists may work with actors.
Photographers may shoot entertainment campaigns.
Fashion events can create work across many different categories.
That is why developing multiple professional skills can be valuable.
A performer who understands acting, fashion, social media, and content creation may have access to more opportunities than someone focused on only one area.
How to Find Fashion and Entertainment Opportunities
Talent interested in fashion-related work should keep professional materials current.
Models should maintain:
Updated digitals
Measurements
Portfolio images
Full-body photos
Runway footage
Actors should maintain:
Current headshots
Resume
Acting reel
Professional profile
Creators should also consider including:
Social media metrics
Content samples
Engagement information
Previous brand partnerships
Fashion casting often moves quickly.
Having your materials ready can make it easier to submit when opportunities appear.
Final Thoughts
Margaret Qualley’s appearance at The Dog Stars premiere demonstrates how one unconventional fashion choice can become part of a much larger entertainment story.
Chanel’s barefoot sandals went from a controversial Resort 2027 runway moment to a major celebrity red carpet appearance in just a few months.
Whether the shoes become a mainstream trend is almost beside the point.
They created conversation.
And in an entertainment landscape where actors, designers, creators, and fashion houses all compete for attention, conversation has enormous value.
For actors and models, the broader takeaway is clear:
Fashion is increasingly part of entertainment.
And the overlap between the two industries continues to create new opportunities for talent.
Looking for modeling jobs, fashion casting calls, acting roles, creator campaigns, and entertainment opportunities? Explore the latest opportunities at ProjectCasting.com.
FAQ About Margaret Qualley’s Chanel Barefoot Sandals
What shoes did Margaret Qualley wear to The Dog Stars premiere?
Margaret Qualley wore Chanel’s unconventional barefoot sandals from the fashion house’s Resort 2027 collection.
Why are they called barefoot sandals?
The design leaves most of the wearer’s foot exposed, including the toes and sole, while securing the shoe primarily around the heel.
Who designed the Chanel barefoot sandals?
The footwear appeared in Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel Resort 2027 collection.
What dress did Margaret Qualley wear?
Qualley paired the sandals with a black Chanel dress featuring short sleeves and fringe detailing.
Where was The Dog Stars premiere?
The premiere took place in London, England.
Who stars in The Dog Stars?
Margaret Qualley and Jacob Elordi are among the film’s cast.
Who directed The Dog Stars?
The film is directed by Ridley Scott.
Why was Qualley’s footwear controversial?
The shoes attracted attention because they provide almost no traditional sole coverage, making them look closer to going barefoot than wearing conventional sandals.
What does this mean for fashion trends?
Celebrity red carpet appearances can help move experimental runway designs into mainstream fashion conversation, even when the designs are unconventional.
Where can models and actors find fashion jobs?
Models, actors, creators, and fashion professionals can explore casting calls and entertainment opportunities at ProjectCasting.com.
