Forget the Oscars and the Met Gala. The Cannes International Film Festival is the epitome of glamour. The mantra “Go big or go home” was practically coined for the annual star-studded gathering. Although the 2020 edition was canceled due to the health crisis, last year it returned on a much smaller scale. (Although Bella Hadid still manged to deliver two amazing looks.) The good news? This week the festival returns, hopefully with a bang. So we decided to reflect back on the greatest looks ever to hit the French Riviera before the 2022 festivities get underway.
We’re talking epic feathered trains, sculpted skirts, decadent embroidery and eye-catching embellished bodices. And let’s not forget all the dazzling jewelry. Fashion institutions Stéphane Rolland, Ralph & Russo, Atelier Versace, Gucci and Jean Paul Gaultier are all well-represented as their pieces are often designed for a grand stage like the Cannes International Film Festival. From A-list actresses to an iconic princess, these looks are emblazoned into our memories as some of the best, not just of Cannes, but of all time.
Ready to take a look back through time? Then scroll down to relive the most breathtaking looks to ever grace the festival’s red carpet.
20 Most Captivating Cannes International Film Festival Looks Ever
-
Sophia Loren, 1955
Sophia went all out in a structured strapless ballgown amplified by a truly exceptional statement necklace, a fur shawl and opera gloves.
Image: Getty
-
Princess Diana, 1987
Reportedly inspired by the gown Grace Kelly wore in To Catch a Thief, Diana had a real princess moment in the powder blue Catherine Walker chiffon dress with matching scarf at her only Cannes appearance.
Image: Getty
-
Halle Berry, 2006
Halle took the plunge in this revealing Reem Acra gown with an embellished bodice and chiffon skit.
Image: Getty
-
Eva Longoria, 2009
As a L'Oréal Paris ambassador, Eva has been a constant presence at the festival, but one of her most outstanding style moments occurred in 2009 when she stepped out in an ice blue Atelier Versace Spring 2009 embroidered gown featuring a dramatically fashioned skirt.
Image: WENN.com
-
Cate Blanchett, 2010
Cate was flying high at the 2010 edition of the festival in Alexander McQueen’s Pre-Fall 2010 eagle-adorned gown with white tulle hem.
Image: Lia Toby /WENN.com
-
Salma Hayek, 2011
Simply dripping in beads, crystals and sequins, Salma stunned in this ornate Gucci Première creation accented by equally elaborate silver Boucheron jewelry.
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
-
Angelina Jolie, 2011
Chocolate brown isn’t a common sight on the red carpet, but Angelina had us aching to see more of the often overlooked hue when she attended The Tree of Life premiere in this Atelier Versace silk gown.
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
-
Cheryl Cole, 2012
Cheryl’s Stéphane Rolland Spring 2012 Couture white cap-sleeve gown with red ostrich feather train is the stuff legends are made of.
Image: Ian Wilson/WENN.com
-
Jada Pinkett Smith, 2012
Between its gold crescent neckline, vibrant orange shade and thigh-high slit, Jada’s embellished Atelier Versace Spring 2012 gown made quite an impression.
Image: Ian Wilson/WENN.com
-
Camila Alves, 2012
Although she was there to serve as Matthew McConaughey’s plus-one, Camila nabbed the spotlight in this marvelous Marchesa Fall 2012 gown with a heavily embellished bodice and an airy tulle skirt.
Image: Benainous+Catarina / Allpix
-
Diane Kruger, 2012
Diane was an ethereal goddess in 2012 wearing a draped Giambattista Valli Couture aqua one-shoulder gown.
Image: Lia Toby/WENN.com
-
Nieves Alvarez, 2013
How do you make a streamlined red Ralph & Russo Couture strapless gown absolutely unforgettable? Why, add a one-of-a-kind gazaar bustle pouring out of a rose gold hip detail, of course.
Image: Getty
-
Nicole Kidman, 2013
Nicole was elegance personified in this ivory Valentino Spring 2013 Couture gown with floral overlay and Cathy Waterman jewels.
Image: WENN.com
-
Zhang Ziyi, 2013
The term luxe doesn’t come close to doing Zhang’s lilac Elie Saab Spring 2013 Couture embellished gown justice.
Image: Dave Bedrosian/Future Image/WENN.com
-
Sonam Kapoor, 2013
Sonam was in full bloom at the Jeune & Jolie premiere thanks to Dolce & Gabbana’s floral strapless gown with supremely structured skirt.
Image: News Pictures/WENN.com
-
Solange Knowles, 2013
Solange turned heads in Stéphane Rolland’s semi-sheer Fall 2012 feathered gown with narrow belt punctuated by a bright lip color.
Image: News Pictures/WENN.com
-
Freida Pinto, 2014
Freida ruled the red carpet at The Homesman premiere in Oscar de la Renta’s Fall 2014 coral gown with strategic golden embellished embroidery.
Image: WENN.com
-
Blake Lively, 2014
Blake sported several gorgeous looks over the course of the 2014 festival, but it was her rather retro black and white Gucci Première gown that really stood out.
Image: Dave Bedrosian/Future Image/WENN.com
-
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, 2014
Aishwarya was as good as gold in this metallic Roberto Cavalli embellished gown paired with bold hits of red via her lips and nails.
Image: Getty
-
Paz Vega, 2014
It was the extravagant black rose shoulder detail on Paz’s Ralph & Russo Spring 2014 Couture embellished long-sleeve creation that made this gown a knockout.
Image: Getty
-
Cate Blanchett, 2015
The actress can do no wrong when it comes to fashion, especially when it comes to Cannes. Take this mesmerizing Giles Fall 2015 strapless printed ballgown.
Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images
-
Lupita Nyong'o, 2015
How can anyone forget how much fun the Oscar winner had showing off this pleated Gucci chiffon gown boasting crystals and pink flowers? An elegant updo and a purple lip only upped the ante.
Image: Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images for Kering
-
Li Yuchun, 2015
This black and white Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2015 Haute Couture creation had a split personality. Not that we’re complaining. The dress/jumpsuit was expertly styled with black opera gloves and white shoes.
Image: Traverso/L’Oreal/Getty Images
-
Diane Kruger, 2015
A heavily embellished Prada halter gown helped Diane stand out from the crowd back in 2015 and even now.
Image: George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images
-
Amal Clooney, 2016
Amal looked ravishing decked out in a light yellow Atelier Versace one-shoulder gown. But it was those coral earrings and that red lip that made it fashion.
Image: Tony Barson/FilmMagic/Getty Images
-
Sara Sampaio, 2017
The model’s red hot Zuhair Murad Spring 2017 Haute Couture embroidered ballgown made her the belle of the opening gala.
Image: Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic/Getty Images
-
Julianne Moore, 2018
It was the feather-trimmed cape that made this fiery Givenchy haute couture gown memorable.
Image: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Kering
-
Amber Heard, 2018
The floral patterned skirt on this Valentino Fall 2018 gown was pretty dramatic. As were those ruby drop earrings.
Image: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images
-
Li Yuchun, 2018
Another year, another stunning Jean Paul Gaultier look. The black blazer and striped skirt from the designer’s Spring 2018 Haute Couture collection were styled with white platform sandals.
Image: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images
-
Elle Fanning, 2019
The younger Fanning sister wowed wearing this Christian Dior haute couture ensemble with a scene-stealing hat.
Image: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
-
Bella Hadid, 2021
Bella Hadid simply stunned in this vintage Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture gown.
Image: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
-
Bella Hadid, 2021
The in-demand model shut down the red carpet again in this surreal Schiaparelli haute couture creation.
Image: Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
