From Margot Robbie to Grace Kelly, here are the gowns that will go down in history
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There are not many occasions more sartorially exquisite than the annual Cannes Film Festival. And narrowing down the number of iconic fashion moments is virtually impossible, for an event that has been as much about the red carpet glam as the film premieres since the 1950s.
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It may be one of the ‘Big Three’ of the European film festivals (alongside Venice and Berlin), and one of the ‘Big Five’ international film festivals (Venice, Berlin, Toronto and Sundance in Salt Lake City), but Cannes undoubtedly brings a fashion agenda that captures the glamorous, luxurious landscape of the French Riviera.
From Sofia Loren in the 1950s, to Diana Ross in the 1970s, Princess Diana in the 1980s, the supermodels of the 1990s and the naughties It-girls who started the beloved Y2K trend, all the way up to Anne Hathaway stealing the show in Armani Prive in 2022. There has never ever been a dull fashion moment.
What is the Cannes Film Festival dress code?
"To attend the Gala screenings, a dinner jacket (tuxedo) with a bow tie or evening dress is required. In the absence of this, you may wear a cocktail dress, a dark trouser suit, a dressy top with black trousers, a black dress, a black or midnight blue suit with a bow tie," explains the official 'Festival de Cannes' guide, "Elegant shoes, with or without heels, are required. Trainers are forbidden. We ask our attendees to avoid bringing backpacks, tote-bags or large bags." During day events the dress code is much more relaxed however, "For other screenings, proper attire is sufficient."
Cannes Film Festival's 25 best fashion moments of all time:
1/24
Naomi Campbell - 2024
Naomi Campbell rocked the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, showing us all that true style is timeless. The legendary supermodel wowed the crowd as she sashayed down the red carpet for the screening of . Her stunning Chanel couture dress from 1996 was a total showstopper.
2/24
Coco Rocha - 2024
Coco Rocha turned heads on the red carpet, dazzling in a stunning Cheney Chan dress. Channeling the beauty of a calla lily, her gown featured delicate petals with a sparkling bedazzled border, adding the perfect touch of floral magic to Cannes.
3/24
Natalie Portman, 2023
Natalie revived one of Dior's most iconic dresses in 2023. The actress stunned in a custom strapless gown that was inspired by the Junon dress that Christian Dior himself created for his AW collection in 1949/50. Iconic.
4/24
Alessandra Ambrosio, 2023
There is no flex more major than wearing vintage on the red carpet, and Alessandra stunned in a sheer burgundy gown from Elie Saab's Fall/Winter 2005 collection, featuring a glitzy hood.
5/24
Viola Davis, 2023
Viola looked ethereal in a dramatic dress and matching textured cape designed by Valentino.
6/24
Iris Law, 2023
This moment lives rent-free in our heads. Jude Law's model daughter wore an outfit that was as appropriate for Cannes as it was for a night out in Mayfair - and that's what we love about it. Her ensemble was a Saint Laurent masterpiece.
7/24
Anne Hathaway, 2022
The devil wears Prada, but Anne Hathaway wore Armani Prive for her Cannes red carpet debut, and stole the show whilst doing so.
8/24
Deepika Padukone, 2022
The actress stole the red carpet in 2022, hands down. For the closing ceremony, she took the traditional saree and gave it the most exquisite contemporary twist. She wore a custom off-white ruffled gown by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, paired with an equally as scintillating pearl necklace that draped across her entire neckline.
9/24
Bella Hadid, 2021
The supermodel has had many-an-iconic Cannes red carpet moment, but this gold Schiaparelli bra was sensational.
10/24
Margot Robbie, 2019
Margot Robbie was the moment in this Chanel ensemble. Black-sequinned cigarette pants paired with a pink baby-doll top was truly sensational.
11/24
Kristen Stewart, 2018
Though we loved Kristen's custom Chanel couture mini dress, this moment was even more memorable because she took off her Christian Louboutins and walked barefoot across the red carpet in protest. Women were reportedly denied access to certain premiere's wearing flat shoes.
12/24
Blake Lively, 2016
For the premiere of , Blake stunned in a bright blue Atelier Versace gown that we were unsure she'd ever be able to top. Cue: her Met Gala appearance six years later...
13/24
Angelina Jolie, 2011
Queen of the red carpet Angelina Jolie stopped the audience in their tracks as she walked down the stairs in 2011. The silk custom Atelier Versace gown with a thigh-high split is one of her best of all time.
14/24
Naomi Campbell, 2010
Naomi glimmered in a slinky custom Roberto Cavalli dress.
15/24
Jennifer Aniston, 2004
One of the most iconic Cannes photos ever? Jennifer Aniston stepped out with former husband Brad Pitt wearing a slinky white beaded number by Versace.
16/24
Kate Moss, 1998
Kate and Johnny Depp were the undisputed King and Queen of Cannes style. in 1998 Kate wore a black vintage feather-trimmed dress to the premiere. Almost ten years later she replicated the dress for her first ever design collaboration with Topshop.
17/24
Sharon Stone, 1992
This dress became a moment for the actress, solidifying her status as a red carpet daredevil. Her monochromatic dress with a major plunge became arguably her most memorable look in history.
18/24
Madonna, 1991
An iconic outfit, an iconic photo. Madonna stole the show when she arrived wearing nothing but a Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra, with high-waisted briefs and a satin cape. The cone bra went on to become one of her signature outfits.
19/24
Diana, Princess of Wales, 1987
In one of her most iconic fashion moments, the late princess wore a powder blue chiffon gown by one of her favourite designers, Catherine Walker. Elizabeth Debicki then paid homage to Diana and this outfit for the premiere of , in which Elizabeth plays the character of Lady Di.
20/24
Diana Ross, 1973
Diana made headlines in 1973 by wearing a three-piece tuxedo suit to the Academy Awards. She wore a stunning embellished gown with an oversized collar to Cannes later that year.
21/24
Jane Birkin - 1974
Jane Birkin wore a 1920's style dark blue mini dress adorned with shimmering gold sequins to attend Cannes with her partner Serge Gainsbourg. She paired it with sheer navy tights and silver strappy heels. She carried her signature wicker basket and completed the look with natural, loose hair. Tres chic.
22/24
Elizabeth Taylor - 1957
When Elizabeth Taylor attended Cannes with her husband, producer Mike Todd in 1957 she donned an elegant, off-the-shoulder white gown with a draped shawl accentuated by a sparkling brooch. The notorious magpie accessorised with a tiara, drop earrings, and white gloves.
23/24
Sophie Loren, 1955
Italian actress Sophia personified old Hollywood Glamour in a strapless broderie anglaise and tulle ball gown, paired with an elegant fur stole, contrasting opera gloves and a statement necklace
24/24
Brigitte Bardot, 1953
Brigitte was the ultimate bombshell in Cannes this year, posing at the beach in bikinis which was scandalous at the time. She then stole the red carpet in a tulle ball gown and a fur stole. Iconic.
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