Schiaparelli shoes expose more than just the foot
A pop star's choice of footwear sparks questions about fashion and function.
The story
Dua Lipa wore strappy, jewel-encrusted Schiaparelli shoes at the 2026 London Literature Festival, part of the brand's surreal fall 2026 collection.
Source: wwd.com
Our reading
Dua Lipa wore shoes that left her instep and arch exposed, a choice that somehow feels more daring than wearing a dress made of recycled plastic bottles. The design is meant to be ‘surreal,’ which is the fashion world’s way of saying ‘we don’t know what it is either.’ The shoes are part of a collection that includes a black leather belt with an octopus buckle, which is a lot to carry on your hips.
The shoes are described as ‘eccentric,’ which is another way of saying ‘this is not for everyone.’ But since they were worn by a pop star at a literature festival, it’s clear that the audience is expected to be both literary and willing to tolerate a little foot exposure. It’s a strange mix of high culture and low comfort.
At least the shoes are made of satin, which is a fabric that doesn’t require much effort to look fancy. The keyhole detail is the only thing keeping the whole look from being a complete mystery. It’s like the shoes are trying to tell a story, but they’re too busy glittering to get the plot right.
