The 78th Cannes Film Festival is set to commence this week, drawing significant attention not only for its prestigious films but for its red carpet fashion. Celebrities are already preparing to strut their stuff at the Coachella festival. In the meantime, the strict dress code fosters spirited debate about the appropriateness of more scantily clad ensembles. In recent years, supermodel Natasha Poly, actress Elle Fanning, and model Meredith Mickelson have all turned heads on the festival circuit. Their gorgeous get-ups have taken America by storm!
Cannes has a long tradition of strictly upholding a tough totemic dress code. This includes black tie formal wear, that is, evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and fancy open-toe sandals, “with or without heels.” This policy isn’t just to keep a little formality on the world’s most famous red carpet. Yet, as previous controversies have illustrated, conflicts and tensions may arise with these regulations. In 2015, a group of women were turned away from a red carpet screening for not wearing high heels. This incident was met with public outcry and condemnation.
The phenomenon of exposing skin seems to be on the rise in recent years. Bella Hadid’s see-through dress at last year’s festival and Kim Kardashian’s consistent flaunting of skin on the red carpet exemplify this shift. Paris Hilton gave off quite the February vibe too, stealing glances in her glistening skin-baring dress at a gala in L.A. In February 2025, Kanye West’s new wife, Bianca Censori, raised eyebrows at the Grammys. She really took the trend to new heights, and it sure left everyone jaw-dropped.
Cannes has come under fire for its dress code before, most famously when it didn’t let women onto the red carpet without high heels. This year, with celebrities continuing to push boundaries, it remains uncertain how the festival will respond. According to the festival rules, “the festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules,” emphasizing the importance of adhering to the code.
As the event gets closer though, there’s hope for even more extravagant fashion statements to be made. A few past red carpet photos have had to be pixellated because of the exposure caused by ladies’ dresses. You can follow the trajectory all the way back through American history. As funny as that would be it sounds a bit like Adam and Eve going to live naked in the garden.