Slingbacks at Cannes Film Festival: The 1950s Shoe Style Trends With Selena Gomez, Uma Thurman and Hunter Schafer

The secure and demure slingback is back, and on the red carpet at Cannes no less.

Every year, the annual Cannes Film Festival hosts some of the most-watched red carpets and photocalls globally. The right fashion moment there can increase a brand's (or star's) name recognition exponentially. And if done right, it could kickstart (or even cement) a trend. This year at Cannes, it seems the slingback shoe style is on the block.

The slingback traces its roots back to the 1950s, reportedly created by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. Working with the atelier Massaro Paris to design the shoe featuring a beige upper and black cap toe. It was intended to fasten securely to the foot while the bi-color choices would appear to lengthen the leg and shorten the foot. Massaro eventually put elasticized leather in the sho, which Chanel saw as a stroke of genius.

Since then, the shoe has become a staple, worn by the likes of Bridget Bardot, Jackie Kennedy, and Marilyn Monroe. High-fashion brands like Prada, Givenchy, Mugler and Christian Dior all have versions. In 2021, Amina Muaddi became the most Googled shoe designer, no doubt in part due to the company's crystal-embellished "Begum" slingback. And now, the likes of Uma Thurman, Greta Gerwig and Zoe Saldana are all wearing the silhouette at Cannes.

Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig attends "Le Deuxième Acte" red carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 14 in Cannes, France.

As the first American female director to be the president of the film festival, Gerwig has been making a splash at Cannes. The director attracted a lot of initial buzz in a pair of Christian Louboutin for Maison Margiela white pumps, but since has rode the slingback wave - twice. In addition to wearing a pair of slingbacks for the press, she slid into a black leather patent leather slingback featuring a sharply pointed toe for the red carpet of "The Second Act" on May 14.

Shoe detail of Greta Gerwig at "Le Deuxième Acte" Screening at Palais des Festivals on May 14 in Cannes, France.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer attends the Nespresso x Brut. Party – La Nuova Italia on May 16 in Cannes, France.

Known for her stylish turns on the carpet, actress Hunter Schafer also got in on the trend. The model opted for a pair of yellow, Roger Vivier kitten heels. The silhouette features classic Vivier design signatures like a cutout and buckle at the vamp of the shoe.

Hunter Schafer's shoes at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Nespresso Beach on May 16 in Cannes, France.

The look was styled by Schafer's collaborator, Dara Allen.

Hong Chau

Hong Chau attends the "Kinds Of Kindness" Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17 in Cannes, France.

At the "Kinds of Kindness" red carpet on May 17, Hong Chau wore Christian Dior. The actress opted for the company's Tribales, which feature a distinctive heel pierced with a pearl.

Hong Chau's shoes on the "Kinds Of Kindness" Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17 in Cannes, France.

The pointed-toe shoe is currently available for $1,350.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez is seen during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 17 in Cannes, France.

Working with stylist Erin Walsh, Selena Gomez wore a spring-appropriate all-white outfit on May 17. For her shoes, she also chose a classic Roger Vivier slingback featuring black detailing and the customary cutout and buckle at the vamp.

Selena Gomez's shoes during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 17 in Cannes, France.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone at the photo call for "Kinds of Kindness" during the 77th Cannes Film Festival held at the Palais des Festivals on May 18 in Cannes, France.

Though all slingbacks are technically sandals, Emma Stone leaned into the sandal aspect. Stone attended the "Kinds of Kindness" on May 18 wearing a strappy style of patent leather. It featured a peep-toe and came from Louis Vuitton.

Emma Stone's shoes at the "Kinds Of Kindness" Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 18 in Cannes, France.

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman attends the "Oh, Canada" Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 18 in Cannes, France.

Many slingback shoes are kitten heels and Uma Thurman's were no different. On May 18, at the photocall for "Oh, Canada," the actress wore a pair of short black slingback shoes.

Uma Thurman, shoe detail, at the "Oh, Canada" Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 18 in Cannes, France.

The shoes featured a v-shaped vamp with a sharp, pointed toe. They were also a D'orsay silhouette.

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana attends the "Emilia Perez" Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19 in Cannes, France.

Zoe Saldana and Gerwig were twins of sorts. For the "Emilia Perez" photocall on May 19, Saldana wore a pair of Saint Laurent's towering slingbacks as well. The shoe features a slick patent leather, a golden buckle and a sculpted heel.

Zoe Saldana's shoes at the "Emilia Perez" Photocall at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19 in Cannes, France.

Saldana's were brown in lieu of Gerwig's black shoes.

Heidi Klum at

Cannes Film Festival 2024 Red Carpet Arrivals and Shoe Moments View Gallery 39 Images More from Footwear News