Eva Longoria made a deliberate style statement at the Cannes Film Festival this week, repeating a single silhouette - the Berta Platforms by Flor de Maria - across two high-profile events. The black satin sandals, with their 140mm heel and covered platform, appeared first under a chocolate brown Sergio Hudson gown, then later that evening at the Global Gift Gala, where they emerged from beneath a dramatic high-slit Cong Tri creation. For those who study the history of intimate apparel, Berta is a name that resonates deeply: the brand, founded in 2014 by Berta Balilti, revolutionized bridal and evening lingerie by merging corsetry's structural precision with the sensuality of sheer fabrics. These shoes, with their criss-crossing straps and slim ankle ties, echo the boning and lacing of a classic 19th-century corset - an undergarment that, for centuries, shaped not only the body but the very architecture of fashion. Longoria's choice to repeat the platform is itself a curatorial gesture: it draws attention to the shoe's engineering, much as a museum display highlights the craftsmanship of a vintage bustier. The sandals' open toe and exposed construction invite comparison to the peek-a-boo panels of 1920s step-ins, while the 5.5-inch height recalls the elevated posture demanded by Victorian cage crinolines. At the Global Gift Gala, which supported Longoria's own foundation, the platform became a subtle emblem of empowerment - a foundation, literally and figuratively, for a woman who moves with purpose. In an era of disposable trends, this Cannes repeat reminds us that the most compelling fashion is built to last, one strap at a time.
Originally reported by WWD