The red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival isn’t just glittering with stars this year—it’s sparking controversy.
In a dramatic shift that has shaken the global fashion community, festival organizers have banned naked dresses, voluminous gowns, and dramatic trains, calling time on the high-fashion chaos that once defined Cannes couture.
Citing concerns over “decency” and red carpet congestion, the new dress code urges attendees to keep it classic. Think: tuxedos, sleek cocktail dresses, tasteful evening gowns, and chic pantsuits. In a rare concession to comfort, the festival has also scrapped its infamous heels-only rule—elegant flats and sandals are now welcome.
But not everyone’s sticking to the script.
Heidi Klum set flashbulbs ablaze in a rose-hued Elie Saab masterpiece complete with a thigh-high slit and trailing train—precisely the kind of look Cannes just outlawed. Chinese actor Wan QianHui floated in a white, cloud-like creation that barely fit through the entrance, while fashion editor Aliia Roza arrived like a couture dove in a hoop skirt adorned with literal birds. If this is rebellion, it’s feathered and fabulous.
Meanwhile, some stars played by the rules. Jury member Halle Berry reportedly adjusted her ensemble last minute to align with the guidelines, but critics say enforcement has been more fashion faux-pas than firm policy. For every rule-follower, there seemed to be a rogue glamazon ready to defy the decree.
The backlash from stylists and fashion insiders has been swift and sharp. Renowned stylist Karla Welch slammed the dress code as “patriarchal,” arguing that such restrictions silence creativity and undermine the spirit of self-expression that Cannes has long celebrated. “This isn’t a board meeting—it’s a film festival,” she quipped.
As the world watches Cannes 2025 unfold, the red carpet has become a battleground between conservatism and couture, between tradition and transformation. One thing’s for sure: even with the rules, fashion at Cannes refuses to be boring.
Because at Cannes, the drama doesn’t just play out on screen—it struts down the red carpet.
