Billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch made headlines over the weekend as he tied the knot with his fifth wife, Elena Zhukova, in a lavish ceremony at his Tuscan-style vineyard in Bel Air, Los Angeles. While the bride’s attire was demure and conventional, it was Murdoch’s choice of footwear that sparked controversy.
Despite the traditional C.E.O. suit he wore, Murdoch opted to pair it with sneakers, a departure from the expected hard-soled leather shoes typically worn with formal attire. Critics took to the internet to express their disapproval, citing the importance of footwear as a social signifier of courtesy and good manners.
However, some fashion experts saw Murdoch’s unconventional choice as a bold statement. Eugene Rabkin, editor of StyleZeitgeist, noted that casualization has become more accepted in formal settings, making sneakers with a suit a daring and perhaps even punk move. Nick Sullivan, creative director of Esquire, suggested that the decision to wear sneakers may have been a practical one for an outdoor wedding.
Ultimately, Murdoch’s choice to wear sneakers on his wedding day may have been a reflection of his status as a master of the universe, unbound by traditional fashion norms. Whether a fashion faux pas or a bold fashion statement, Murdoch’s wedding attire certainly got people talking.
