It’s almost that time of year again, when A-listers and supermodels head to the south of France for the annual Cannes Film Festival. Attention isn’t just paid to the hottest new movies debuting on screen — the must-see fashions worn down the carpet always make headlines as well. In addition to the Met Gala, Venice Film Festival and the Oscars, the red carpet leading up to the steps of Palais des Festivals et des Congrès where the event is held, is noted as one of the most fashionable affairs of the season. Celebrities from around the world take the carpet during the 10-day festival donning striking couture looks and dazzling jewels that pack a major statement.
The Cannes Film Festival dress code is famously strict (heels are expected) but time and time again stars step up their game. As the fashionable festival kicks off on May 16, GRAZIA USA is taking a look back at the most striking looks from the Cannes Film Festival throughout the years.
Sophia Loren, 1955
The iconic Italian actress arrived to opening night of the festival in 1955 in a princess-style gown with sweetheart-style neckline by Italian “tailor of the stars” Emilio Schuberth, with an elegant coat, statement necklace and opera gloves.
Elizabeth Taylor, 1957
Elizabeth Taylor attended alongside her then-husband, producer Mike Todd to celebrate his film, Around the World in Eighty Days, in a draped off-the-shoulder gown, accessorized with gloves, an embellished clutch and a diamond tiara, a gift from her husband which later sold at auction for over $4 million.
Audrey Hepburn, 1960
Film and fashion icon, Audrey Hepburn attended the 1960 Cannes Film Festival with her husband, Mel Ferrer, in a dazzling embellished cap-sleeve evening dress paired with her trademark extra long gloves, kitten heels and clutch.
Catherine Deneuve, 1966
The iconic French actress and Cannes veteran Catherine Deneuve attended the screening of Les Cendres in a look that screams ’60s chic, in her glittery striped column gown with her signature hair bow.
Joan Collins, 1972
British actress Dame Joan Collins brought Grecian glamour to the Riviera in her off-the shoulder white ruched dress.
Jane Birkin, 1974
Jane Birkin arrived with then boyfriend Serge Gainsbourg in a shimmery tiered mini dress, with sheer tights, silver heels and wicker basket tote, which she carried numerous times in the pre-Hermès Birkin era.
Princess Diana, 1987
Princess Diana looked ethereal in a baby blue strapless ruched gown with neck scarf by Catherine Walker, which multiple outlets reported was inspired by the dress Grace Kelly wore in the 1955 film To Catch a Thief.
Jane Seymour, 1989
The former 007 Bond Girl took the red carpet at the 1989 festival in a pastel yellow dress complete with floral and tassel embellishments.
Madonna, 1991
Icon Madonna invented the memorable outfit reveal when she attended the premiere of the In Bed with Madonna documentary in a long pink robe which she then removed as she made her way down the carpet to reveal a Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra and garters.
Kate Moss, 1977
Kate Moss and her then-boyfriend Johnny Depp attended the film premiere of The Brave, where the fashion icon looked oh-so chic in a heather gray sleeveless shift dress designed by Narciso Rodriguez.
Elizabeth Hurley, 1997
Bombshell actress Elizabeth Hurley heading to the coveted amfAR soirée in a semi sheer leopard-print halter gown alongside then-boyfriend Hugh Grant.
Sigourney Weaver, 1998
Sigourney Weaver’s look in 1998 is just as on trend today with its sheer panels in all the right places.
Cameron Diaz, 2004
Cameron Diaz’s strapless Louis Vuitton dress with bow-adorned bodice and tulle skirt paired with big gold hoops and flip phone gives the look peak Y2K vibes.
Claudia Schiffer, 2006
The German supermodel Claudia Schiffer chose head-to-toe white in an adorable babydoll frock with ruffles paired with platform sandals and a small top-handle bag.
Linda Evangelista, 2008
The supermodel made the red carpet her runway wearing a sparkling gold sequin Lanvin gown at the Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull premiere.
Angelina Jolie, 2009
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walked the carpet for Inglourious Basterds looking like the ultimate Hollywood couple, in a dapper tux for Pitt and a flowy, draped Versace creation for Jolie, featuring a low-cut bodice and high-cut slit.
Nicole Kidman, 2014
A studded statement! The actress attended the opening ceremony and Grace of Monaco premiere channeling her inner royal in an Armani Privé lavender gown embellished with intricate jewels.
Blake Lively, 2014
The Gossip GIrl actress attended the Mr. Turner premiere in a look that could have been straight from Serena van der Woodsen’s closet, in her embellished Chanel Couture creation.
Lupita Nyong’o, 2015
The actress did her signature twirl onto the carpet at the La Tete Haute (Standing Tall) premiere in a pleated, bright green Gucci gown embellished with flowers and featuring a capelet.
Uma Thurman, 2017
The actress brought shimmer and shine to close out the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival in her flapper-esque gold fringe Versace gown.
Rihanna, 2017
Rihanna arrived to the Okja screening in a jaw dropping Dior Haute Couture strapless ball gown paired with a matching coat and topped off with sunnies, to block out the rivera sun.
Julianne Moore, 2017
Julianne Moore attended the Ismael’s Ghosts (Les Fantomes d’Ismael) screening in a feathery Givenchy Haute Couture number.
Cate Blanchett, 2018
There was no missing Cate Blanchett at the Cold War (Zimna Wojna) screening in her boldy-printed colorful Mary Katrantzou high-low gown covered in Swarovski crystal embroidery.
Kendall Jenner, 2018
Sheer and chic! Kendall Jenner attended the screening of Girls Of The Sun (Les Filles Du Soleil) in a nearly-nude sheer ruffled dress by Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli Haute Couture.
Deepika Padukone, 2018
The Indian actress arrived for the screening of the film Ash is Purest White (Jiang hu er nv) in an over-the-top tulle Ashi Studio Couture fuchsia gown.
Penélope Cruz, 2019
Penelope Cruz had a Chanel Haute Couture moment on the carpet, in her lace cap-sleeve ballgown, which matched her Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewelry at the screening of Pain And Glory (Dolor Y Gloria/Douleur Et Gloire).
Priyanka Chopra, 2019
The actress took the carpet in head-to-toe white in her Georges Hobeika tiered gown at the screening of Les Plus Belles Années D’Une Vie.
Sharon Stone, 2021
Sharon Stone wow’ed in white at the OSS 117: From Africa With Love screening in her Dolce & Gabbana gown with Swarovski crystal mesh bustier and one-shoulder cape.
Gemma Chan, 2021
Gemma Chan was gleaming in gold at the OSS 117: From Africa With Love screening in her high-shine floral-printed gown.
Bella Hadid, 2021
Wearing a show-stopping Schiaparelli Haute Couture creation, complete with a necklace in the shape of a human lung’s pulmonary veins, to the Tre Piani (Three Floors) premiere, the model’s red carpet moment made a statement.
Anne Hathaway, 2022
Anne Hathaway arrived on the red carpet to view her film Armageddon Time in a classic, white sequined Armani Privé column gown, showing off a sliver of skin under the bust line. Styled by Erin Walsh, the look, which also featured shawl-train combo, was accessorized with a 100,000-carat Bulgari sapphire necklace.
Stepping out as the belle of the ball, model Lori Harvey made a statement in an Alexandre Vauthier Couture Spring/Summer 2020 tea-length strapless gown, paired with Messika jewels, styled by Maeve Reilly.
Bella Hadid, 2022
Supermodel Bella Hadid stepped out onto the Cannes red carpet for the first time of the year, sporting a vintage Versace gown from Gianni Versace’s Spring/Summer 1987 collection, courtesy of stylist Law Roach. The black, form-fitting strapless gown cascaded into a mermaid silhouette, draped with a voluminous waist detailing which gathered into a lavish bow in the back.
