Riley Keough brought fresh momentum to Cannes' most talked-about footwear trend this season, stepping out in Alaïa's Invisible thong sandals with a custom black dress. The actress paired the label's signature plexi-heel silhouette with understated elegance, following Hannah Einbinder's recent appearance in the same style.
The clear shoe aesthetic has gained serious traction on the French Riviera and beyond. Transparent heels, minimalist sandals, and translucent accessories create an illusion of elongated legs while maintaining a modern, directional edge. Alaïa's Invisible sandals epitomize this movement, stripping footwear down to its most essential elements while preserving architectural precision. The thong silhouette adds refined simplicity to the design.
Keough's wedge interpretation of the trend marks a subtle evolution in how celebrities are wearing the transparent shoe moment. Wedges offer practical elevation without the severity of a stiletto, making the barely-there aesthetic wearable for red carpet moments that require both comfort and impact. Her styling choice demonstrates how a single shoe style can work across multiple heel heights and proportions.
Alaïa has long dominated luxury footwear conversations through its meticulous construction and innovative use of materials. Creative Director Pieter Mulier continues to push the house's design language forward, creating pieces that feel both contemporary and timeless. The Invisible sandal joins a lineage of the brand's most coveted styles, competing with fashion's current fascination with translucent and minimalist shoe designs.
The clear shoe trend reflects broader industry shifts toward transparency in materials, sustainability conversations, and the desire for versatile pieces that work with virtually any outfit. When major red carpet players like Keough and Einbinder align on the same silhouette, it signals retail momentum