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Nearly 45,000 people in and around Nice, southern France, were left in the dark on Sunday after an electrical transformer was deliberately set on fire overnight, causing a major power outage. This disruption comes just a day after another significant blackout hit the region, cutting electricity to around 160,000 homes and affecting the nearby town of Cannes — which was in the midst of its famous international film festival.

Two groups, calling themselves “bands of anarchists,” have claimed responsibility for these attacks. In a statement posted to an activist network on Sunday, they said their sabotage targeted electrical infrastructure not only to disrupt the Cannes Film Festival but also to cut power to a nearby aerospace company, Cannes airport, and other critical industrial, military, and technological sites. While this claim has yet to be independently verified, French prosecutors are investigating the incidents.

Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, condemned the acts strongly in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He announced that both national and municipal police have been deployed to investigate the transformer fire and said surveillance footage from the city’s monitoring center will aid the inquiry. “I strongly denounce these malicious acts that affect our country,” Estrosi said.

What Happened Before the Outage?

The power cut on Sunday followed a previous outage on Saturday across the Alpes-Maritimes area, which includes Cannes and its surroundings. From about 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time, around 160,000 homes were left without power. Officials suspect sabotage was behind the blackout.

Sébastien Leroy, mayor of Mandelieu-La Napoule — a town just southwest of Cannes — described the event as a “double act of sabotage.” Early Saturday morning, a fire broke out at an electrical substation in the nearby town of Tanneron, followed by significant damage to an electricity pylon.

Laurent Hottiaux, prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, issued a statement condemning the incidents as “serious acts of damage,” calling for a thorough investigation.

Impact on the Cannes Film Festival

The power outages posed a real threat to the Cannes Film Festival, which was wrapping up its 78th edition on Saturday night. The festival’s closing ceremony, where top awards were announced, took place as scheduled thanks to swift action.

According to FranceInfo, the Palais des Festivals — the main venue — switched to an independent power supply, ensuring all events and screenings could continue without interruption. Though two screenings were briefly halted for about five minutes Saturday morning, they quickly resumed.

Festival organizers expressed relief that, despite the disruption, the event’s finale went ahead “under normal conditions,” maintaining the glamour and tradition Cannes is known for.

What’s Next?

The incidents have stirred concerns over security and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the region. Authorities continue to investigate the deliberate nature of these power cuts, with national and local police collaborating closely.

As the probe unfolds, residents remain hopeful for swift action to prevent further disruptions. Mayor Estrosi’s strong words reflect the growing frustration over these attacks, which impact not just daily life but also major cultural and industrial events.

This story will be updated as new information becomes available.

Source: CNN – ‘Malicious act’ causes power cut in Nice, in second day of outages across southern France

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For decades, Cannes Film Festival’s red carpet has been synonymous with glitz, glam—and sky-high heels. But in 2024, the tides have turned: flat shoes are officially in, and they’re stepping into the spotlight with serious style.

A Step Away from Tradition

The fashion world hasn’t forgotten #Flatgate—the 2015 controversy where several women were reportedly turned away from a screening for wearing flats. Though Cannes organizers insisted there was no official heels-only rule, the backlash was swift, sparking debates over gendered dress codes and sparking mini-protests from celebrities.

Julia Roberts went barefoot in 2016. Kirsten Stewart dramatically removed her stilettos in 2018. And Jennifer Lawrence unintentionally reignited the discussion in 2023 when she wore flip flops under her Dior gown due to a last-minute shoe mishap.

Now, Cannes has made it official: elegant footwear is welcome—heels or not.

Celebs Embrace the Flat Movement

This year’s red carpet featured a growing number of A-listers opting for chic, low-heeled looks. Jane Fonda wowed in silver Margaux Mary Janes, Margaret Qualley donned Chanel sequined ballet flats, and directors like Alice Rohrwacher and Molly Manning Walker strutted in Prada loafers. Actor Llúcia Garcia chose simple black ballet flats.

It’s not just a red carpet trend—flat shoes are enjoying a full-blown fashion revival.

The Rise (or Fall) of the Flat Shoe

Long dismissed as dowdy or unglamorous, flat shoes are experiencing a major glow-up. Pop culture has long mocked them—like in Barbie, where flat feet are treated like a diagnosis. Even Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw once fretted about her post-surgery inability to wear heels.

But now? Flat shoes are trending hard. Pinterest reports U.S. searches for “ballet flats” are up 190% compared to last May. Google Trends shows a huge spike in searches for “Mary Janes” too.

Fashion houses are paying attention. Tory Burch recently brought back its iconic Reva ballet flat, which once sold 5 million pairs before falling out of favor during the chunky sneaker craze. Sandy Liang’s satin pointe flats and Alaïa’s $1,350 rhinestone-studded Mary Janes are selling out fast. Miu Miu, a flat-shoe stalwart, currently offers over a dozen styles, priced between $875 and $1,790.

Why the Shift?

According to fashion journalist Mosha Lundström Halbert, practicality and changing work culture are driving the shift. “You used to wear heels to the office—now, thanks to hybrid work, comfort matters,” she explains. Today’s shoppers want stylish options they can wear all day, not just on special occasions.

Spending big on flats feels more justifiable when they’ll see regular wear. And with evolving attitudes about femininity and presentation, the red carpet is becoming a place where real-life style meets high fashion.

“There’s something refreshing about a flat shoe,” Lundström Halbert adds. “It breaks free from the pageantry.”

Fashion’s Final Frontier?

The Cannes red carpet is one of the last holdouts for traditional glamour. But with each pair of elegant flats that glides down the Croisette, it becomes clear: this isn’t just a fashion statement—it’s a cultural one.

Flat shoes are no longer a protest. They’re a powerful choice, showing that comfort, elegance, and individuality can coexist—even in the most glamorous of places.

Source: CNN – Flat shoes are now allowed at the Cannes Film Festival. Can they rise to the occasion?

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While the Cannes Film Festival red carpet often sparks debates about long trains and daring dresses, Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård flipped the script in a bold, unexpected way. What if, back in 2005’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith, it was Brad Pitt—not Angelina Jolie—rocking thigh-high leather boots?

That’s exactly the vibe Skarsgård brought to La Croisette on Sunday. Attending the premiere of Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, he stunned everyone with a jaw-dropping pair of thigh-high boots. Designed by Harry Lambert and straight from Saint Laurent’s Fall-Winter 2025 runway, these square-toe boots wrapped his entire legs, stopping just where boxer shorts would begin. The look? Half dominatrix, half fisherman’s waders—and completely unexpected.

Thigh-high boots have long been seen as the ultimate symbol of female sex appeal. Angelina Jolie famously wore them as the seductive assassin Jane Smith, pairing them with fishnets, suspenders, and a strapless PVC minidress. Julia Roberts’ Vivian in Pretty Woman and Jane Fonda’s Barbarella also sported iconic tall boots. Even Anne Hathaway’s character in The Devil Wears Prada reached style perfection only after slipping on knee-high leather boots—leading to one of cinema’s most memorable fashion moments.

But here’s a fun fact: thigh-high boots weren’t always a women’s thing. They actually date back to the 15th century when men wore them for practical reasons. A medieval skeleton found in London’s Thames in 2018, believed to be a fisherman or sailor, was wearing boots that reached his thighs. Later, in England’s Restoration period, King Charles I and his Cavaliers donned riding boots that could either stand tall or fold into cuffs—often with heels to show status.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that thigh-high boots became linked with femininity and sex appeal. In 1962, Cristóbal Balenciaga introduced a knee-high boot, and a year later, Roger Vivier pushed the design further for Yves Saint Laurent, crafting alligator leather boots that reached up to the thigh. Vogue praised this evolution, saying, “This year’s best-looking legs will be marching up and down and back again in boots.”

This trend fit perfectly into the post-war “Youthquake,” a time when hemlines got shorter and sexual attitudes shifted. In Mary Quant’s era of the miniskirt, tall boots framed bare legs like never before—making them an icon of female empowerment and style.

Today, while thigh-high boots are a staple in women’s fashion, men wearing them is still a fresh idea. But pioneers like Pedro Pascal, who wore the same Saint Laurent boots earlier this year, are changing that. Designers like Rick Owens, Martine Rose, Givenchy, Maison Margiela, and GmbH have all embraced the trend, creating bold over-the-knee styles for men.

As fashion becomes more daring and gender boundaries blur, thigh-high boots on men feel like the next natural step. Whether paired with ballet flats or Mary Janes, these boots are proving that style is about courage and creativity—no matter who wears them.

Source: CNN – Look of the Week: Alexander Skarsgård flips the script on thigh-high leather boots

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