TL;DR
Riley Keough appeared at Cannes wearing Alaïa’s transparent wedge sandals, marking a notable evolution of the clear shoe trend with a sculpted, architectural design. The look gained attention alongside other celebrities embracing see-through footwear this week.
Riley Keough made a striking appearance at Cannes on Friday, wearing Alaïa’s sculptural clear wedge sandals during the screening of ‘Soudain,’ marking a notable evolution of the transparent shoe trend into more architectural territory.
Keough arrived at the red carpet event in a black Alaïa dress paired with the designer’s $1,690 Invisible Thong Sandals, which featured a sculpted plexiglass wedge and a black patent frame. Unlike typical clear shoes, her sandals incorporated a 90mm plexi wedge with a cutout effect, giving the footwear a more substantial, architectural appearance. The sandals’ design included a glossy thong strap, a second angled strap across the foot, and a slim buckled ankle strap.
The appearance of Keough’s sandals follows a trend seen earlier in the week, when actress Hannah Einbinder wore the same Alaïa wedge silhouette at a Cannes photocall. Outside Cannes, celebrities like Keke Palmer and Zoë Kravitz have also embraced see-through footwear, signaling a broader shift in footwear fashion this season.
Why It Matters
This development indicates a shift within the ongoing transparent shoe trend towards more sculptural and architectural designs, reflecting a broader appetite for statement footwear on red carpets. Keough’s choice underscores how luxury brands are exploring more substantial, artistic interpretations of the see-through shoe concept, which could influence upcoming fashion seasons and red carpet styles.
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Background
The transparent shoe trend gained momentum earlier this year, with celebrities and brands experimenting with clear, PVC, and plexiglass materials. Cannes has historically been a stage for bold fashion statements, and this year’s event continues that tradition, with Keough’s Alaïa sandals standing out as a more sculptural take on the trend. The trend’s evolution from minimal, barely-there footwear to more substantial, design-forward pieces reflects a broader trend in footwear towards statement craftsmanship.
“It feels like the birthplace of so many incredible films and filmmakers and careers, and this week I wanted to treat Cannes as a place for less expected fashion choices.”
— Riley Keough
What Remains Unclear
It is not yet clear whether this sculptural wedge design will influence mainstream footwear trends or remain a high-fashion statement exclusive to luxury brands and red carpet moments.
What’s Next
Fashion analysts and industry observers will watch for further appearances of sculptural transparent footwear at upcoming events and in retail collections. Designers may explore more three-dimensional, architectural designs inspired by this trend, and future red carpet appearances will indicate whether this look gains broader popularity.
Key Questions
What makes Riley Keough’s sandals different from typical clear shoes?
Her sandals feature a sculpted plexiglass wedge with a cutout effect and a black patent frame, creating a more architectural and substantial look compared to standard barely-there transparent heels.
Are transparent wedge sandals a new trend at Cannes?
Yes, the appearance of Keough’s Alaïa sandals follows earlier sightings of similar styles and indicates a shift towards more sculptural, statement transparent footwear at the festival.
Will this trend continue beyond Cannes?
It remains to be seen if the sculptural transparent wedge will influence mainstream fashion, but industry insiders suggest it could inspire future footwear designs and runway collections.
Who else has worn similar transparent wedge shoes recently?
Actresses Hannah Einbinder, Keke Palmer, and Zoë Kravitz have been seen sporting transparent footwear with similar or related designs in recent weeks, signaling a broader trend.
