Chanel’s viral ‘barefoot sandals’ could cost you up to ₱175,000

The sandals either represents clever high-fashion minimalism, luxury excess or merely an expensive way to go barefoot.

Imagine paying as much as $3,000—or roughly ₱175,000—and still having to walk barefoot.

That is essentially the proposition behind Chanel’s viral “barefoot sandals,” an unconventional luxury design that has become one of fashion’s most talked-about pieces precisely because one major component is missing: the sole.

The barely-there footwear leaves almost the entire bottom of the foot directly touching the ground. Instead, the design consists of a leather piece hugging the heel, emblazoned with Chanel’s interlocking CC logo, and thin straps tied around the ankle.

In other words, your heel is dressed in Chanel. Your sole is on its own.

The unusual footwear debuted under Chanel artistic director Matthieu Blazy, immediately drawing attention online for challenging the very definition of a sandal.

The black version keeps things relatively simple with a leather heel covering, gold-tone CC emblem and dark ankle ties. A more elaborate variation features a metallic, sculptural leaf-like piece wrapping around the heel.

And they are not merely runway curiosities.

Actress Margaret Qualley recently took the concept onto actual pavement, wearing a black pair at a London red-carpet event. Photographs showing her bare soles directly against the ground quickly helped propel the unusual footwear across social media.

Then there is the price.

Reports surrounding the viral footwear have placed versions at around $1,500, with more elaborate iterations reportedly reaching close to $3,000. At current exchange rates, the upper figure translates to roughly ₱175,000.

The eye-watering price has inevitably fueled debate over whether the footwear represents clever high-fashion minimalism, luxury excess or simply an expensive way to go barefoot.

But perhaps that reaction is exactly why the sandals are succeeding as a fashion statement.

After all, plenty of shoes can make people look.

It takes Chanel to make people talk about the part that isn’t even there.

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