Cannes 2025 Red Carpet: Stars Shine Amid New Dress Code Drama

The 78th Cannes Film Festival, running from May 13 to May 24, 2025, kicked off with a dazzling display of glamour on the French Riviera’s iconic red carpet. The Croisette buzzed with Hollywood heavyweights, international cinema icons, and fashion trailblazers, all navigating a controversial new dress code that banned nudity and voluminous outfits. Despite the restrictions, stars like Bella Hadid, Natalie Portman, and Tom Cruise proved that elegance and rebellion could coexist, delivering unforgettable fashion moments at premieres and galas.

The festival opened with Partir Un Jour (Leave One Day), a crowd-pleasing musical directed by Amélie Bonnin, setting a vibrant tone. The red carpet saw Robert De Niro, honored with an honorary Palme d’Or presented by Leonardo DiCaprio, exuding timeless charm in a classic black tuxedo. Bella Hadid, often dubbed the “Queen of Cannes,” turned heads in a slinky black Saint Laurent gown with daring cutouts, paired with Chopard jewelry. Her honey-blonde tresses marked a fresh look, subtly challenging the nudity ban while staying within bounds. Eva Longoria sparkled in a plunging blue-striped dress, while Julia Garner’s sequined Gucci gown blended textures with understated glamour.

Day two brought the world premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, with Tom Cruise leading the charge in a sleek navy suit, joined by co-stars Zoe Saldaña in a chic little black dress and Hannah Waddingham in a tailored Burberry ensemble. Halle Berry, a jury member alongside president Juliette Binoche, made waves after revealing she ditched a sculptural Gaurav Gupta gown due to its voluminous train, opting instead for a striped Jacquemus halter-neck dress. Critics called it “prisoner-esque,” but Berry’s poise carried the look. Heidi Klum, however, openly defied the rules, flaunting a pink Elie Saab gown with a floral-inspired cascading train, proving the dress code’s enforcement was selective.

By May 16, the premiere of Ari Aster’s Eddington drew a star-studded cast, including Emma Stone in a futuristic custom Louis Vuitton gown with a surrealist white bib, and Natalie Portman in a custom Dior inspired by the house’s 1951 “Mexican model” design, adorned with hand-embroidered half-moons. Angelina Jolie, returning to Cannes after a decade, embraced quiet luxury in a muted cream gown, while Kristen Stewart pushed boundaries with a sheer skirt at a photocall for The Chronology of Water. Scarlett Johansson, promoting her directorial debut Eleanor the Great, opted for a structured Armani Privé dress, balancing sophistication with modern edge.

The new dress code, announced just hours before the festival, sparked debate. Intended to curb “naked” dresses and traffic-disrupting trains, it was seen by some as a misogynistic attempt to control self-expression. Past rebellions, like Kristen Stewart’s barefoot protest in 2018, echoed in 2025 as stars tested limits. Wan QianHui’s ivory Wang Feng gown, with its cotton-ball-like skirt, and Hofit Golan’s sheer corset dress drew scrutiny but made it past security, hinting at leniency for high-profile names or sponsor-affiliated guests like those tied to Chopard or L’Oréal Paris.

The jury, including Jeremy Strong in a dusty rose tuxedo and Juliette Binoche in elegant Celine, added gravitas to the carpet. Emerging talents like Payal Kapadia and established names like Quentin Tarantino, in a bold patterned suit, kept the energy eclectic. Social media buzzed with praise for the festival’s diversity, from Thai and Southeast Asian films to first-time directors in competition.

Cannes 2025’s red carpet was a battleground of style and statement. While the dress code aimed to tame extravagance, the stars’ creativity shone through, proving that fashion at Cannes remains a cinematic art form—rules or no rules.