Weekly Spotlight: Brooke Shields unabashedly flaunts her red carpet Crocs.
Exiting in a sun-kissed pair of Crocs, complementing her radiant yellow Monique Lhuillier dress, the celebrity flat-out refused to apologize for her potentially contentious footwear decision. She playfully flashed her dress to reporters, indicating she had indeed traded heels for functional clogs.
She revealed to the Associated Press, "I've got two theatre-loving feet on me."
Shields continued, explaining her foot surgery just prior to the event. "Broadway gifted me these busted feet, and now I'm mending them," the actor, known for theatre productions like "Chicago," "Cabaret," and "Grease," confessed to CBS.
As a previous ambassador for Calvin Klein, Shields has always been in fashion's inner circle and is known for timeless, classic style. Her recent fashion choice seems to align with what she has referred to as her "don't-give-a-damn era," according to Glamour magazine. Shields, 59, frequently talks about the confidence she's found as she's aged. "I'm thrilled about this age and era of life because I'm less complicated, less insecure, less egotistical, and I'm focusing on that," she recently shared with Vogue.
bulky, with iconic Swiss cheese-like holes and often in striking hues; since their introduction in 2004, Crocs have incited polarizing opinions – and often been mocked by fashion authorities. However, these comfortable clogs, made of a unique material called Croslite, are loved by comfort enthusiasts, and they do have a history with celebrities.
Singer Justin Bieber paired an oversized Balenciaga suit with platform Crocs to the 2022 Grammys (his own clothing brand Drew House has collaborated with the label in the past), while record producer Questlove wore a shiny golden pair to the 2021 Oscars. Even as far back as 2015, actor Alan Cumming donned Crocs to the Emmys with his Vivienne Westwood ensemble.
Launched in Boulder, Colorado by three friends in 2002, Crocs became an overnight sensation upon hitting the market. By 2007, the company was selling 50 million pairs annually. However, the 2008 financial crisis and a saturated market saw the company go from $200 million in profit in 2007 to $200 million in losses the following year.
More recently, the company has partnered with brands and celebrities to release special editions. There was a glow-in-the-dark collaboration with Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny in 2020, which sold out swiftly post-release, a lime green collaboration with Dreamwork’s “Shrek” in 2023, and a long-standing partnership with Balenciaga that's resulted in an array of Crocs boots, stilettos, and platforms. These endeavors seem to be paying off: Crocs reported a record-breaking year of earnings in 2023, with total revenue nearing $4 billion dollars.
Will they become a recurring red carpet trend? Probably not, but Shields' outfit received lots of support from her fans on social media: "You're a trendsetter and a cool one at that!" wrote one follower beneath the actor's Instagram post displaying her Crocs. "We are utterly smitten," said another.
Worn with such boldness, more female celebrities may follow her lead.
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Shields' unique fashion choice has been praised by fashion magazines, with Glamour magazine referring to it as aligning with her "don't-give-a-damn era."
Despite receiving mixed opinions from fashion authorities, Crocs have been a popular choice among comfort enthusiasts and celebrities who appreciate their stylish and functional design.
