Chanel’s new ‘barely-there’ sandal divides fashion fans
Key Points:
- Chanel's Cruise 2026/2027 collection, unveiled with stars like Nicole Kidman front row, featured a bold new sandal design by artistic director Matthieu Blazy, characterized by minimal coverage and a thin platform heel, sparking mixed reactions online.
- The minimalist sandals, dubbed “heel caps,” exposed most of the foot, igniting debate among fashion enthusiasts and critics about practicality and style, with some mocking the design’s functionality.
- The collection also included imaginative elements such as swimming caps, mermaid scales, newspaper print clothing, and oversized handbags, receiving praise for its creativity and cinematic quality.
- This minimalist and provocative approach echoes recent controversial runway moments, such as Miguel Castro Freitas’s debut at Mugler Spring/Summer 2026, which featured a “nipple-piercing dress” that polarized public opinion and was criticized as a social media stunt.
- Overall, Chanel’s latest collection is seen as both groundbreaking and divisive, highlighting a tension between avant-garde fashion innovation and public reception.