The Cannes Film Festival, which has been underway all week long, is known as one of the most glamorous film festivals in the world—perhaps the most glamorous, rivaled closely by the Venice Film Festival. Every year, the Cannes red carpet brings forward unparalleled glitz, with A-listers donning their best formal gowns and tuxedos. Turns out, such fabulous fashions are required: A strict cocktail or black-tie dress code is always implemented, and this extends right down to the shoes (according to the official Cannes website, “elegant shoes, with or without heels, are required. Trainers are forbidden.”)
Much has been said about the festival’s footwear requirements in the past. Though it now encapsulates elegant flats, there was a time when women could only wear heeled stilettos to the affair—a mandate that many have viewed as sexist and archaic. The outdated approach that has caused many celebrities in attendance to make statement about it. Remember when Kristen Stewart boldly removed her Christian Louboutin pumps on the carpet? “I feel like you can’t ask people that any more,” Stewart said in 2017. “If you’re not asking guys to wear heels and a dress, you cannot ask me either.” Julia Roberts went barefoot back in 2016, while last year, Jennifer Lawrence made waves when she paired her Dior couture gown with a pair of black flip-flops. (Lawrence later said she didn’t know she was breaking protocol; “I had no clue. My shoes were a size too big.”)
This year, stars are continuing to subvert the stilettos rule. Though they can wear flats, celebrities like Bella Hadid have opted for the most unconventional heels possible. Just earlier today, the model stepped out in a pair of double-decker Jacquemus sandals—the layered heels giving the illusion of wearing two shoes piled on top of each other. Other stars, like Margaret Qualley, are stepping out sans heels. The actor s choice red carpet shoe? A pair of attention-grabbing sequined Chanel ballet flats.
Even Hollywood gents have gotten in on the subversive shoe game: This week, director Yorgos Lanthimos attended his Kinds of Kindness photo call in a pair of black fisherman sandals. Hardly your standard dress shoe.
Last week, celebrities such as Lily Gladstone and Greta Gerwig also chose to wear unexpected heel styles. Stepping out for a photo call, Gerwig wore a full look by Maison Margiela that included a pair of white Tabi pumps; you know the ones—the polarizing shoes that resemble hooves. The wacky style certainly isn’t your standard Cannes heel. Similarly, Gladstone hit the step and repeat in a pair of staggering Gucci platform pumps. Sure, they’re still sky-high, but the hefty, clunky silhouette read as way more modern and current than a pin-thin heel.
Jane Fonda also hit the red carpet in a pair of metallic Mary Jane flats by Margaux—yes, flats! All this is to say, after years of seeing your favorite stars teeter around in skyscraper stilettos, it seems that dated heels-only rule at Cannes is officially out. And, well, it’s about time! Now, the question is: What wonderfully-bizarre footwear will we see at Cannes next? Balenciaga’s pantaboots? Alaia’s mesh flats? Bring them on, baby!
