There is a cause one in every of Hollywood’s largest stars wore flats along with her purple carpet couture.
This 12 months’s Cannes Movie Pageant is properly underway and the star-studded occasion has already gifted us with numerous glamorous, high-fashion superstar appears. Jennifer Lawrence actually lived as much as that normal along with her vibrant Dior robe worn on the purple carpet on Could 20 — however it was the flip-flops she paired with the look that basically captured audiences’ consideration.
RELATED: The Greatest Seems to be From the 2023 Cannes Movie Pageant (So Far)
At first look, one might imagine that the distinctive footwear alternative is a nod to Lawrence’s “relatable” superstar persona and a need to prioritize consolation over type. However, there really could also be a deeper which means behind the star’s resolution to swap out her crimson excessive heels for the black flip-flops that she wore to stroll down the carpet’s well-known steps.
It’s extensively recognized that the gown code for Cannes purple carpets is formal, black tie apparel, however there seems to be an unwritten rule that ladies are anticipated to observe to attend the festivities: they need to put on excessive heels.
Whereas the origin of this unofficial guideline is oft-debated, there’s little doubt that prime heels have lengthy been considered a staple of femininity and attractiveness for girls. A 2022 research discovered that ladies in excessive heels had been considered being extra sexually engaging and of a better social standing than girls who had been sporting flats. And but, whereas sky-high stilettos might complement an outfit, generally an elegant, comfy pair of flats is the extra accountable name when you don’t need to be in ache all evening.
Nobody is aware of this higher than the A-listers who usually need to attend hours-long occasions in constricting clothes and uncomfortable footwear. As such, there are a number of different well-known feminine celebrities who’ve challenged this sexist “rule” on previous Cannes carpets — and a few have been extra direct with their statements than others.
Isabelle Huppert and Cate Blanchett in 2023
Jennifer Lawrence wasn’t the one star to seemingly rise up in opposition to the rule at this 12 months’s Cannes Movie Pageant. French film star Isabelle Huppert gave a delicate nod to the absurdity of the rule by sporting nude Anatomic heels by Balenciaga on the premiere of Killers of the Flower Moon. This wasn’t simply any outdated pump although, the design and color of the heel had been made to imitate a naked human foot, which completely made it appear to be Huppert was defying the “only high heels” rule on the carpet.
@byclaytondavis Cate Blanchett offered the Breakthrough award to ZAHRA AMIR EBRAHIMI on the Cannes Movie Pageant. Taking off her heels to face with the ladies of Iran. #Cannes ♬ unique sound – Clayton Davis
Cate Blanchett took one of the vital direct stances of all when she offered the Breakthrough Artist Award to Iranian-French star Zahra Amir Ebrahimi at this 12 months’s competition. Earlier than introducing Ebrhaimi on stage, Blanchett made observe of the sexist “ban” as she stated, “I am going to take my heels off, in honour of the women of Iran. This is to stab all the people that stand in the way of women’s rights.” Ebrahimi needed to flee Iran when she was in her twenties after an intimate video of her and her boyfriend was leaked and a legal case was made in opposition to her for having pre-marital intercourse. As the 2 artists shared a hug onstage, it grew to become abundantly clear that Blanchett talking out in opposition to the competition’s “no flat shoes” ban was really a a lot bigger political assertion on the necessity to converse out on gender inequalities for all.
Kristen Stewart in 2018
Kristen Stewart additionally made an announcement in opposition to gender inequality within the trend world on the purple carpet for Blackkklansman on the 71st annual Cannes Movie Pageant in 2018. Equally to Roberts, Stewart ditched her Louboutin stilettos halfway by means of her look and walked the remainder of the carpet barefoot — and the star was way more outspoken concerning the alleged excessive heel rule. “I feel like you can’t ask people that any more. If you’re not asking guys to wear heels and a dress, you cannot ask me either,” she advised reporters. “I get the black-tie thing but you should be able to do either version — flats or heels.”
Julia Roberts in 2016
As she walked the purple carpet for the premiere of Cash Monster again in 2016, Julia Roberts infamously kicked off her heels halfway by means of the occasion and concluded her look barefoot. When requested about her resolution to ditch the sneakers, Roberts stated, “A lot was happening from my ankles up. Let’s not forget all that. A lot of time and effort went into ankles up.” Whether or not this act of riot was a direct response to the “no flat shoes” rule at Cannes, its timing actually makes it seem to be it was an announcement. In 2015, only one 12 months earlier than Roberts walked the carpet barefoot, a bunch of ladies had been allegedly not allowed right into a screening of a movie at Cannes as a result of they had been sporting flat sneakers.
