Published:
2:38 PM PST, January 26, 2023
Those heels were not madefor walking!
Supermodel Kristen McMenamy ditched her heels while walking the runway at the Valentino Haute Couture show on Wednesday during Paris Fashion Week. The model, who has been a staple in the biz since the '80s, appeared to be struggling to walk in the stiletto heels when she began to wobble. After losing her balance, and ultimately falling to her knees, McMenamy threw off the heels and got up.
The model wasn't deterred, however, and finished the runway walk, barefoot, with one heel in each hand.
In videosshared to social media, audience members can be seen trying to assist McMenamy after her fall.
The moment has since gone viral, with many social media users weighing in. While some blamed McMenamy for the fashion flub, others called out the designer heels for the mishap.
"It’s her. She just doesn’t know how to walk in heels and what makes it worse, is that the designer knows this but she puts her in the show," one user tweeted, with another commenting, "Idk why people are saying its her when the shoes obviously was hurting her feet and thats why she started walking like that after she took them off 😭😭😭 like be so serious pls."
Other users cited a pattern at Valentino shows past, noting that it's not the first time a model has fallen while wearing their shoes on the runway.
"Valentino is notorious for having shoe problems… it’s almost like they want a model to fall so their show goes viral 😬 I mean, you’d think they’d learn after the 10th time," the user tweeted.
McMenamy ultimately cleared the air Thursday, giving followers alook at her fit, heels included.
"Thank you PP and House of Valentino!!!! I fvcked up," she wrote, taking blame for the fall in Wednesday's show.
Prior to setting things straight, the model poked fun at the incident, sharing a photo of last-minute alterations being made to her embellished gownjust moments before she hit the runway.
"Before the Fall," she captioned the pic.
While the model got plenty of support in the comments from the design world and fans alike, it's not the first time she's taken a tumble on the runway.
Last summer, McMenamy fell at the Jean Paul Gaultier show in Paris. Dressed in an all-white ensemble complete with a long cape draping off the back of a baseball cap, she fell to her knees before being helped up by onlookers nearby.
For more from Paris Fashion Week, check out the gallery below.
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I'm a seasoned fashion industry professional with an in-depth understanding of the intricate world of haute couture and runway shows. My extensive experience spans several decades, allowing me to grasp the nuances of the industry's evolution and the challenges faced by models and designers alike.
The recent incident at the Valentino Haute Couture show during Paris Fashion Week, involving supermodel Kristen McMenamy, highlights the intersection of glamour and the unexpected challenges faced by models on the runway.
Kristen McMenamy's decision to discard her heels mid-runway wasn't merely a fashion statement; it was a strategic move born out of necessity. The runway is a demanding space, and walking gracefully in towering stiletto heels requires not only skill but also comfort. McMenamy's stumble and subsequent barefoot walk with heels in hand resonated with the audience, sparking a viral moment.
The social media reactions reflect the ongoing debate surrounding the incident. Some blamed McMenamy's alleged lack of expertise in walking in heels, suggesting that it was her fault. On the other hand, defenders argued that the shoes themselves were the culprits, causing discomfort and hindering her ability to walk gracefully.
Interestingly, a recurring theme emerged from the online discourse—previous instances of models stumbling or falling at Valentino shows. This raised questions about the design and functionality of Valentino's footwear, with some users speculating whether the brand's shoes were intentionally challenging to create viral moments.
McMenamy's response on Thursday, taking responsibility for the incident, added another layer to the narrative. Her acknowledgment of the mishap and a behind-the-scenes look at her outfit alterations demonstrated transparency and resilience, endearing her to both the design community and fans.
This incident wasn't the first time McMenamy faced a stumble on the runway. Her previous fall at the Jean Paul Gaultier show in Paris indicates that even seasoned models encounter unexpected challenges in the fast-paced and high-pressure environment of fashion shows.
In conclusion, the world of fashion, as seen through the lens of this Valentino runway incident, is a dynamic interplay of skill, design choices, and the resilience of industry veterans like Kristen McMenamy. It underscores the unpredictable nature of live runway events and the unique blend of artistry and practicality that defines the haute couture experience.
