The much-anticipated Cannes Film Festival, currently in its 79th iteration in the south of France, has had a complicated relationship with flat footwear throughout its history.
The festival, which welcomes A-list talent and up-and-coming names from around the world, did not explicitly ban flats in its dress code in the past, but festival workers were known to prohibit entry — or attempt to do so — for women in flats on various occasions at black-tie gala screenings. The controversy known as “Flatgate” arose in 2015, when multiple women were denied entry to the premiere of the film “Carol” for wearing flat shoes — sparking a heated debate in the film and fashion industries, as the dress code expectation for women was viewed as a sexist double standard.
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That year, the festival put out an official statement addressing the shoe drama: “Regarding the dress code for the red carpet screenings, rules have not changed throughout the years (Tuxedo, formal dress for Gala screenings) and there is no specific mention about the height of the women’s heels as well as for men’s. Thus, in order to make sure that this rule is respected, the festival’s hosts and hostesses were reminded of it.”
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So what is the festival’s stance on flats today? The latest rules for gala screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumière calls for “elegant shoes and sandals with or without a heel — no sneakers.”
With the festival’s opening ceremony set for Tuesday, FN looks back at some memorable flats showcased on the Cannes red carpet through the years.
in 2016, Susan Sarandon went with a black suit look which she accented with a pair of black flats featuring a d’orsay silhouette and pointed toe.
Ines de La Fressange, a devotee of flats, went with a metallic-satin combination in 2014 with a two-toned strappy sandal style from Roger Vivier. The shoes accompanied a one-shoulder lustrous red gown.
Jennifer Lawrence wore a red couture gown from Christian Dior in 2023. It was a full-length, footwear-obscuring dress, but her shoes could be glimpsed when she was on the stairs — a pair of simple black flip-flops.
In 2011, Uma Thurman made a statement in a Chanel haute couture gown, paired with glamorous Jimmy Choo sandals — a silver crystal-embellished version of the brand’s Fiona flat, featuring an arrangement of dainty straps.