Every spring, the Cannes Film Festival rolls out its signature red steps, and with them, a new wave of fashion declarations. But this year, that signature sense of extravagance is under new restrictions. In a surprising turn of events, the festival introduced a last-minute dress code barring nudity and excessive volume from its carpet.
FASHION
The update, announced just one day before the official premieres began, places strict limitations on the very kinds of outfits Cannes has long been known for. Gowns with sweeping trains and provocative silhouettes have often defined its fashion moments, but are now deemed inappropriate for the sake of decorum and crowd management. Festival staff have been instructed to turn away any guests who defy the new rules, a decision that stirred discreet pushback and shifted attention toward more restrained styling.
Despite the limitations, the 2025 edition of Cannes is far from subdued. This year’s attendees have proven that you don’t need a dramatic train or sheer paneling to make a visual impact. Whether leaning into old-school glamour or embracing tailored minimalism, the stars stepped out with intention. As the festival unfolds, these early red carpet looks suggest that constraint might just be the mother of reinvention.
Eva Longoria wearing Tamara Ralph
Eva Longoria brought refined elegance to the 2025 Cannes Film Festival red carpet with a look from Tamara Ralph Haute Couture. Attending the premiere of The Phoenician Scheme, the actress wore a dusty rose gown adorned with shimmering hotfix embellishments and a sculpted satin corset. The design, pulled from Ralph’s Spring/Summer 2025 couture collection shown in Paris this January, creating a silhouette that felt both structured and fluid.
Ariana Greenblatt wearing Louis Vuitton
Ariana Greenblatt made an impression at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival during the premiere of Eddington. The actress wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown in a deep emerald green silk duchesse, featuring a strapless, sculpted bustier and a voluminous pleated skirt. The dramatic silhouette brought an air of gothic glamour to the red carpet, aligning perfectly with Cannes’ updated dress code that discourages overly exaggerated designs.
Bella Hadid wearing Saint Laurent
Bella Hadid’s appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in a custom Saint Laurent gown has quickly gone viral, drawing widespread attention for its bold execution. The sleek black dress featured dramatic cutouts, an asymmetrical open back, and a thigh-high slit. Hadid complemented the ensemble with striking Chopard emerald earrings and a diamond ring, further enhancing the look’s sophistication.
Harris Dickinson wearing Prada
Harris Dickinson made a noteworthy appearance on the red carpet. The British actor and director chose a sleek black Prada suit featuring a distinctive wide white collar, eschewing the traditional tie for a more relaxed yet polished look. His choice of attire stood out amidst the sea of conventional tuxedos, reflecting a confident personal style.
Jennifer Lawrence wearing Dior
Jennifer Lawrence captivated the 2025 Cannes Film Festival with a series of Dior ensembles that combined vintage inspiration with modern elegance. For the premiere of Die, My Love, she donned a custom off-white silk taffeta gown inspired by Dior’s 1949 “Poulenc” design. The sculptural dress featured scalloped pleats and cascading layers, evoking a seashell motif that paid homage to the Mediterranean setting. Styled by Jamie Mizrahi, the look was completed with Aquazzura heels and a Sophie Buhai clutch.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wearing Balenciaga
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley turned heads at the Nouvelle Vague premiere in a vivid crimson gown by Balenciaga. The strapless look, a custom iteration of the label’s 50th Couture collection Look 41, featured asymmetric ruching and a sharply sculpted silhouette that signaled a shift from her usual palette of understated neutrals. Paired with Tiffany & Co. diamond jewelry, including a 17-carat earring set, a 15-carat ring, and the Celeste Shooting Star necklace, her ensemble was styled to precision by Emma Jade Morrison and finished with Balenciaga’s black satin Knife pumps.
Irina Shayk wearing Elie Saab
Irina Shayk made a dramatic statement in a custom Elie Saab Haute Couture gown. The strapless black mermaid silhouette was adorned with cascading feathers and intricate crystal embellishments, exuding a gothic elegance that stood out on the red carpet. Shayk complemented the ensemble with sheer opera gloves, a bold red lip, and wet-look hair, embracing a darkly romantic aesthetic
Jeremy Strong wearing Lanvin
Jeremy Strong stepped out in a dusty salmon corduroy look by Lanvin for the jury photocall, embracing a full monochromatic moment. The relaxed button-up shirt and matching trousers were styled with a coordinating bucket hat and blush-toned Lanvin sneakers, giving the outfit a quietly confident cohesion. Finishing touches included Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses and a Richard Mille RM 16-02 watch.
Isabelle Huppert wearing Balenciaga
Isabelle Huppert once again demonstrated her mastery of avant-garde elegance in a striking Balenciaga ensemble. Attending the premiere of La Femme la Plus Riche du Monde, the French icon wore a vivid green gown that combined sculptural minimalism with bold color, a signature of her ongoing collaboration with the house.
Juliette Binoche wearing Courrèges
Juliette Binoche, serving as the jury president, showcased her signature French elegance in a custom Courrèges ensemble. Styled by Jonathan Huguet, the look featured a minimalist silhouette that resonated with the brand’s modernist heritage.
Nicole Kidman wearing Balenciaga
Attending the Kering Women in Motion Talk at the Majestic Hotel, Nicole Kidman donned a sculpted black leather corset-style jacket from the Balenciaga‘s Fall 2025 collection, paired with relaxed, baggy jeans, a juxtaposition of polished tailoring and casual denim. The look was cinched with a bold gold-buckled belt and finished with pointed-toe heels, embodying a modern take on motocore elegance.
Erin Kellyman wearing McQueen
Erin Kellyman made a memorable entrance at the opening ceremony in a custom Alexander McQueen ensemble that balanced structure with softness. The look featured a satin-washed organza dress layered beneath a cropped ivory shearling bolero, creating a silhouette that was both sculptural and ethereal. Her ensemble was completed with ivory leather Heron boots, adding a modern edge to the romantic aesthetic. Styled by Rose Forde, Kellyman accessorized with Messika High Jewelry, including a diamond necklace and earrings.
Charlotte Le Bon wearing Balenciaga
Charlotte Le Bon embraced a sleek and modern aesthetic in a custom Balenciaga mini dress. The high-neck, long-sleeved silhouette was entirely covered in elongated black sequins, creating a shimmering, liquid-like effect under the red carpet lights. She paired the dress with opaque black tights and angular, sculptural heels, adding a futuristic edge to the look.
Juliette Armanet wearing CELINE
Juliette Armanet brought a touch of Parisian cool to the 2025 Cannes red carpet in a custom black-and-white gown by CELINE. The look featured a fluid, floor-length silhouette with a clean white bodice and sharply contrasting black skirt, evoking the elegance of vintage couture.
Natalie Portman wearing Dior
Natalie Portman made a memorable entrance at the premiere of Eddington in a Dior Haute Couture gown that paid homage to the house’s 1951 “Mexique” design. The strapless black velvet dress featured a silver sequin-encrusted bustier and a voluminous skirt adorned with feather-like crystal embellishments, evoking the elegance of mid-century couture. A velveteen bow at the neckline added a romantic touch to the ensemble. Portman completed the look with a 10-carat diamond necklace, matching ring, and platinum earrings from Tiffany & Co., while her sleek updo and minimal makeup allowed the intricate craftsmanship of the gown to take center stage.
Leonardo Di Caprio wearing CELINE HOMME
Leonardo DiCaprio exemplified timeless sophistication in a tailored ensemble by CELINE HOMME, designed by Hedi Slimane. For the opening ceremony, where he presented the honorary Palme d’Or to Robert De Niro, DiCaprio wore a one-button peak-collar tuxedo crafted from grain de poudre wool, paired with a classic twill bow tie and polished patent calfskin derby shoes.
Alexa Chung wearing CELINE
At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Alexa Chung embraced a modern take on Victorian elegance at the premiere of Eddington. She wore a custom black silk bustier gown by Celine, featuring a dropped waist and voluminous skirt that subtly nodded to 19th-century silhouettes. The dress, slightly shorter in the front, added a contemporary twist to the classic design. Chung complemented the ensemble with mismatched Boucheron earrings, one long, one short, and styled her hair in a sleek, slicked-back look, allowing her signature cat-eye makeup to stand out .
