On August 20, Margaret Qualley joined the cast of "The Dog Stars" for its premiere in London. The 32-year-old actress wore a black V-neck Chanel dress adorned with fringe. The standout feature of her ensemble was a pair of heel-only shoes, with the rest of her foot exposed, making it appear as if she was barefoot.

According to Pagesix, images of Qualley's footwear quickly went viral and sparked widespread discussion on social media. Viewers expressed concerns and amusement, with comments such as: "Could she walk barefoot from her hotel room, into a car, and then onto the red carpet like this?", "She could get hurt wearing these silly shoes", "It's so bizarre", and "What if someone accidentally steps on her foot? Just imagining it hurts."

Margaret Qualley wore Chanel's 'barely-there' shoes at the global premiere of "The Dog Stars". Photo: AFP

The controversial design was created by Creative Director Matthieu Blazy and first introduced in late April in the coastal city of Biarritz, France. Following its debut, the shoes received mixed reactions from the fashion world. The New York Times described the style as "absurd, meaningless luxury", while Elle magazine called the concept "utterly rebellious".

Some speculate that following Margaret Qualley's appearance, Chanel might sell these shoes at an exorbitant price this November, coinciding with the release of designs from the Cruise 2027 collection.

Chanel's shoes made Margaret Qualley appear almost barefoot. Photo: AP

Vogue magazine dedicated a lengthy article to compiling opinions from veteran fashion editors regarding the unconventional footwear. Hannah Jackson, a proponent of unusual shoes, suggested that this design offers a simple way to add interest to an outfit without altering the entire look. She found the idea both amusing and clever.

Christian Allaire also praised the design, emphasizing that the runway serves as a space for imagination, meaning fashion designs do not necessarily need to cater to everyday mobility needs. Max Berlinger noted that such designs are valuable for demonstrating boldness and a risk-taking spirit within the fashion industry.

The design also prompted experts to question the fundamental boundary between shoes and decorative items: is merely having a heel sufficient for an item to be classified as footwear, or is foot protection a mandatory element?

Margaret Qualley poses for the camera. Video: YouTube MTN

Born in 1994, Margaret Qualley is the daughter of Andie MacDowell, an acclaimed actress known for films like "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" and "Groundhog Day". She made her mark in cinema in 2013 with her role as Jill in HBO's series "The Leftovers".

Recently, Qualley has consistently appeared in film projects such as "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood", "My Salinger Year", and "The Substance". Variety magazine recognized her as one of the top 10 promising actors in world cinema.

Margaret Qualley and actor Jacob Elordi in "The Dog Stars". Video: 20th Century Studios

In "The Dog Stars", Margaret Qualley plays Dr. Cima, starring opposite Jacob Elordi. According to Hollywood Reporter, the film is one of the most anticipated post-apocalyptic adventures of late this year. Director Ridley Scott's movie is based on the popular novel of the same name by author Peter Heller.