The French Riviera lit up once again as the 2025 Cannes Film Festival rolled out its iconic red carpet. Known for celebrating global cinema and defining future award-season trends, Cannes continues to be a magnet for artistic brilliance and fashion-forward flair.
This year, alongside cinematic heavyweights, the red carpet delivered fresh style moments—even amid a new dress code that had some guests rethinking their wardrobe choices.
From Hollywood legends to breakout stars, the fashion game in Cannes brought refinement, personality, and a touch of boldness—minus the excess.
With a stricter code guiding what could and couldn’t be worn, creativity found new ground. From minimalist gowns to sharp tailoring, here’s a curated look at the most talked-about outfits that owned the 2025 red carpet in Cannes.
A Festival of Film and Fashion
Instagram | justjared | Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson star in "Die, My Love," a highly anticipated film at Cannes 2025.
Cannes isn’t just a platform for screening movies like "Die, My Love" starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson or Wes Anderson’s "The Phoenician Scheme". It's also a fashion showcase that sets the tone for style globally. With jurors including Juliette Binoche, Halle Berry, and Jeremy Strong, there was an added layer of prestige to this year’s lineup.
Yet, the festival made headlines before it even began with its revised sartorial rules.
A statement posted on the official Cannes site announced, “Outfits that involve nudity or excessive volume that disrupt traffic flow or seating arrangements are not permitted.”
That meant no sheer gowns and no long, sweeping trains—a major shift for a festival known for its daring ensembles.
Red Carpet Standouts
Instagram | d33.142 | Wearing a timeless pale gown, Elle Fanning highlighted fit and texture over bold design.
With the new guidelines in place, celebrities and designers responded with clever tailoring and structure-focused silhouettes.
Elle Fanning arrived in a timeless pale gown, letting the fit and texture of her look speak louder than any dramatic cut.
Paul Mescal brought understated sophistication in a cream-colored tux that added an effortless edge to formalwear.
Gracie Abrams leaned into simplicity with a clean-lined black gown accented with subtle sparkle, proving you don’t need flash to make a statement.
Angela Bassett delivered elegance in a velvet number that balanced grandeur with restraint.
Adapting With Attitude
Instagram | popsugarau | Ariana Greenblatt showcased youthful polish in a structured dress that balanced charm and couture.
Fashion is often at its best when challenged. And this year’s Cannes festival proved that when bold restrictions meet smart styling, magic still happens.
Bella Hadid took a different route from her past viral Schiaparelli moment, opting for a tailored Saint Laurent dress that hugged just right—no embellishments needed.
Naomi Campbell, known for setting trends rather than following them, appeared alongside Edward Enninful, wearing a sculptural black number that nodded to the past while staying within the new rules.
Ariana Greenblatt, a rising star, showed how youth and polish go hand-in-hand, wearing a structured dress that balanced youthful charm with a couture edge.
Kim Go-eun channeled classic Cannes grace in a soft peach design that played beautifully under the Riviera sun.
Subdued Glamour Makes a Strong Return
Instagram | ashotmagazine | Kristen Stewart sported an asymmetric look that was both rebellious and refined.
Voluminous trains and sheer bodices may have been sidelined, but that didn’t stop creativity. On the contrary, the constraint seemed to spark a wave of thoughtful styling.
Hayley Atwell wore a tailored red ensemble that framed her silhouette flawlessly.
Halle Berry stunned in a minimal white column dress with sleek detailing—proof that simplicity is far from boring.
Zoe Saldana and Irina Shayk, both in Saint Laurent, leaned into sharp, modern cuts that emphasized form and texture over theatrics.
Kristen Stewart walked the line between rebellious and refined with an asymmetric silhouette that stood out without bending any rules.
A-List Impact With Individual Style
Instagram | checkthetag | Diane Kruger showcased refinement with muted tones and architectural lines.
Some stars leaned into quiet elegance, while others brought statement pieces without relying on traditional flash.
Diane Kruger kept it refined with muted tones and architectural lines.
Emma Stone, ever the risk-taker, chose a metallic gown with origami-like folds that added movement without drama.
Jennifer Lawrence, known for her red carpet poise, embraced soft volume with clever draping and sleek hair.
Cannes regulars like Isabelle Huppert, Charlotte Le Bon, and Juliette Binoche balanced legacy and innovation, showcasing that personal style doesn’t need to shout to be heard.
A New Era of Red Carpet Dressing at Cannes
This year's Cannes Film Festival may be remembered as the edition where fashion shifted gears—from maximalist to mindful. As the rules changed, so did the red carpet’s vibe, trading flamboyance for finesse.
From new-age minimalism to finely crafted drama, the 2025 red carpet proved that creativity isn’t restricted by rules—it thrives in them.
By blending restraint with imagination, this year’s best-dressed celebrities didn’t just meet the moment—they helped redefine it. Cannes 2025 wasn’t about the flashiest gown or longest train but about presence, purpose, and a perfectly tailored sense of style.
