Just this morning BBC & the Telegraph UK reports: Cannes Film Festival ‘turns away women in flat shoes’
“Emily Blunt, the British actress, has led furious criticism of the Cannes Film Festival for its policy on high heels, after women in flat shoes were revealed to have been turned away from premieres.
Blunt said it was “very disappointing” to hear that women had been ejected from the red carpet of several films for failing to wear high enough heels.
Victims of the policy include the wife of a film director, attending his own film, numerous members of film companies in Cannes for work, and at least one woman who wore flat shoes for medical reasons.
The policy, which has long been known by attendees to be strict, came under fire yesterday as film lovers and women from around the world shared their disgust, and accused the festival of double standards.
Blunt, who walked the red carpet herself for her new film in competition, rolled her eyes after being told about the news, saying she did not believe such rules had a place in 2015.
“Everyone should wear flats, to be honest,” said Blunt, who was pictured at the press conference for her new film, Sicario, wearing mustard-coloured stilettoes. “We shouldn’t wear high heels anyway. I prefer wearing Converse sneakers.
“It’s very disappointing, obviously. You kind of thought there were waves of people realising that women are just as fascinating and interesting to watch, and just as bankable as men.”
Denis Villeneuve, the director of Sicario, joked that he and Blunt’s co-star Benicio Del Toro would now be donning high heels for their premiere in protest.
Their words follow a report in Screen Daily, a trade magazine, which claimed that a “handful of women in their 50s” were turned away from the screening of Cate Blanchett’s new film Carol. The women were then allegedly told that their shoes were not “tall” enough.
“Multiple guests”, some of whom were said to have medical conditions, or were older, were not allowed to attend the world premiere because they were wearing flat shoes.”
Ok so tell me, is this right ?
- Pursebop posted 10 years ago
- last edited 9 years ago
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Ouch. While Cannes is a showcase for fashion and bling, shouldn’t it be about film, and the talent it stands for? I am all for respecting dress code, but by whose standards anyway, and style has always been relative, and subjective. Karl Lagerfeld presented Chanel couture with sneakers. Every look came on the runway with a pair of sneakers. One cannot buy those sneakers without ordering the exit look. Fashion should be fun. And, Style, your own. Respectfully of course and in context… (P.S. Did everyone have to wear stockings too?!!)
- happybaggage replied 10 years ago
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whaaat… well, i understand it must be the dress code but i mean sometimes celebs might wanna wear flats that match with their outfits. wearing flats did not mean that they are not wearing what the dress code asked them to. christian louboutin has some really nice flats and I don’t think that they are considered “casual” =\
- Debb C. replied 10 years ago
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sooooo, if Helen Mirren or Cate Blanchett or any other lady hurt their feet and are unable to wear heels, they are banned from Cannes? yes, this apparently happened already…Helloooooo???? This is ridiculous!!!!! One thing is attending the festival wearing Converse or any other sneaker…this I agree should not be allowed… but forbidding flats in general? there are many many flats that are more chic than any high heeled shoes…just look at Manolo flats…sorry, can´t agree to this…
- PatiEv replied 10 years ago
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Interesting topic!
I understand and respect that certain venues/locations have strict dress codes. Most times I try to respect the rules. However, certain rules are simply outrageous and some staff take advantage of “rules”, going on power trips acting as if they are fashion police. Calm down.. you’re a waitress.
High heels only.. can you imagine such a thing? I can just picture staff from Cannes chasing after Meryl Streep yelling “She’s wearing kitten heels! Get her!” While poor Lupita Nyong’s dress is blown by a gust of wind to reveal a shocking pair of pumps! The horror, how could she? Where does she think she is, The Oscars!?
The funny thing is I actually dislike flats on women. I don’t think they’re cute at all but that is my opinion and I’m sure many people feel that heels are for strippers only, look trashy etc. A lady should be able to choose her heel heigh – or lack of! I could understand the banning of slippers, flip-flops and simple sneakers. But flats? We’ve evolved 7 billion years for this? Embarrassing. What’s next? “Men ordered to wear thongs to Cannes. Briefs banned.”
- BoyWithTheBag replied 10 years ago
PERFECT StyledGuy!!! Bravo!!!
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I personally don’t have a problem with this, as this is their event, and their right to put whatever rules they want to. I like that the French are not afraid to be “politically incorrect.” I don’t see this being any different as having a dress code in a nice restaurant or club, where usually men are not allowed to wear flip flops, have to wear a collared shirt, or jacket, and they don’t specify any rules for women so I don’t see this as being sexist. There’s a time and a place to wear Converse sneakers and Cannes is not it. If I ever was lucky enough to attend the Cannes festival I would never dream of wearing flats. I’m not familiar with this but I’m sure they have certain dress restrictions for men as well. This is a classy, exclusive event and they need to make sure guests are reflective of such. If someone doesn’t like it, they have a choice to not attend. Now, the only exception should be those with medical issues.
- levernisnoir replied 10 years ago
I can tell you as a woman that I don’t wear heels to be more sexually attractive to men. Most women don’t wear heels and dresses for men, they wear it for themselves or other women. Suit jackets and heels are two different types of fashion for men and women, just because some men perceive heels as sexual doesn’t make it sexist for women to wear heels and not so for men to wear jackets.
I wasn’t referring to why you wore heels. Many women wear certain things for different reasons, obviously. In general high heels are considered sexy. Asking women/men to dress a certain way is NOT sexist. Forcing women to dress in a way that sexualizes their body IS sexist. Everyone deserves a choice. This rule is like forcing women to wear push-up bras.. which I’m guessing will be enforced next year- My opinion is that the rule isn’t sexist. I’m sure they “forced” men to wear certain styles as well and that info wasn’t publicized in the media. That’s my opinion and you are of course free to have your own belief and opinion however that is your opinion, NOT fact. People are so quick to cry discrimination these days.
- I don’t think anyone is crying discrimination here. People are simply expressing their opinions and disappointment. Like you said, we’re all entitled to our opinions so let’s not shame others for sharing a different view. It’s one rule for men(smart), another for women(sexy). That is why no one cares about the dress code for men.
- I think the people such as Emily Blunt certainly are, like I said before if they are so against it they are free to boycott the event and not attend just as the organizers are free to put in place whatever dress code they desire. Opinions are just that, opinions, not facts. You might think it’s sexist, others don’t.
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