The Chanel shoes that made China cringe

From a brooch shaped like a chick to a sandal with no sole, Chanel under Matthieu Blazy is creating noise in China. When creative director Blazy debuted a heel-only sandal (无底绑带鞋) at the label’s Biarritz show on April 29, the reaction in China was swift and largely scornful. Multiple hashtags trended on Weibo within hours, including “Chanel bottomless strap shoe” (#香奈儿无底绑带鞋) and “Chanel responds to bottomless strap shoe” (#香奈儿回应无底绑带鞋), while media outlets including Sina Finance, 163.com, and Zhongxin Jingwei ran dedicated coverage. “The moment you step outside you'd step in spit,” Weibo user Peach’sAmazingRun (@桃子奇奔篇), commented. On Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, #barefootshoes has amassed 59.6 million impressions, as of this writing. According to an informal poll summary shared by Weibo user @Robert (罗伯特), 89% of online respondents said they disliked the design. Some users drew parallels to a similar style worn by Faye Wong (王菲) during her 1999 Concert Tour of the World — a comparison that added cultural texture without softening the criticism. Chanel’s chicken moment The maison’s Spring/Summer 2026 “chicken accessories” — a brooch and two styles of earrings in metal, resin, and rhinestone, priced from 6,100 RMB ($892) to 9,500 RMB ($1,389) — drew a similar backlash, with users calling the pieces “too abstract” and questioning whether the materials justified the price. As one widely-circulated Weibo post argued, Chanel’s intent with provocative designs is not to drive direct sales of the items themselves, but to generate sustained conversation that keeps the brand culturally relevant — ensuring it remains top of mind when consumers eventually reach for a bag, fragrance, or a more conventional pair of shoes. Products from rivals including Balenciaga and Tiffany have faced similar mockery in China. All of this carries particular risk in China. Chanel’s Asia-Pacific revenues fell 7.1% YoY in 2024 to $9.2 billion — its steepest regional decline — driven by a softening consumer environment in mainland China, according to the maison’s annual results. Globally, however, Blazy’s tenure is reading differently. Chanel topped the Lyst Index for Q1 2026, powered by his debut collection and viral pieces including the Maxi Flap bag and a new pump silhouette — suggesting the creative director’s instinct for provocation is generating desire as much as debate. Chanel’s customer service team confirmed the barefoot heel will reach boutiques in November. Pricing has not been disclosed.

The Chanel shoes that made China cringe

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The Chanel shoes that made China cringe

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