The 74th Annual Cannes Film Festival. Need I say more. It’s the film festival of all film festivals.
In essence, more stylish than the Academy Awards, and as famed for its spectacular runway show of celebrities on the red carpet as the Met Gala in New York. Cannes rocks a different tune of inimitable, outrageous glamour.
While the festival commemorates cinematic feats, Cannes holds the greater power of being the place to dazzle and be seen. It’s more than just a bit of fun. With actors in their most daring outfits, Cannes is able to take the generic red carpet to a whole new level of high fashion and couture. It really is the stuff of dreams.
An invitation-only event, with a famously rigid dress code (think stiletto heels and ball gowns, once the topic of great controversy) has ensured the festivals position as the showcase of haute couture fashion. Cannes is by no means a casual affair. Unless, you are Spike Lee in a hot pink suit – only then can you walk the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès wearing customised Nike sneakers. This was a footwear-first for Cannes.
It is the fashion event of the summer, and year-on-year attracts some of the most spectacular fashion the world has to offer. This year, has certainly been no exception. The 2020 Cannes festival was cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but this year had the 20s roaring once more. The festival showcased a breadth of breathtaking looks ranging from haute couture heaven, embellished floor-length gowns, colourful pant suits and confirmed that no matter the year sparkles are always in!
Notable mentions include, heartthrob Timothée Chalamet, Marion Cotillard, Bella Hadid, Spike Lee and Maggie Gyllenhaal. All of whom used the iconic red carpet to make a statement in every sense of the word – both colourful and fantastical. All in all, the festival was an enthralling showcase of haute couture and awe-inspiring fashion after the covid pandemic and proof that the magic of the Cannes red carpet lives on.
Over the years, Bella Hadid has consistently made headlines with her sultry, yet elegant style. This year was no different. Her signature style was brought back in full force to this year’s film festival. On the opening night she wore a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture dress with a black tulle cape from the designer’s spring 2002 collection.
However, her biggest fashion statement was when she wore an avant-garde black dress from Schiaparelli Haute Couture AW21 collection debuted earlier this month, adored with golden lungs as a breastplate. Without doubt, the most memorable red carpet look of the entire 2021 film festival. With this look, Daniel Roseberry wanted to challenge the tradition notions of couture beauty whilst wanting to pay tribute to the idea of breathing, particularly as we emerge out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Daniel Roseberry wanted to challenge the tradition notions of couture beauty whilst wanting to pay tribute to the idea of breathing, particularly as we emerge out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sharon Stone’s romantic tulle Dolce & Gabanna gown adored with appliqué flowers – A punky, fairytale look. Why the hell not, its Cannes after all.
Tilda Swindon rocking an array of dangerously cool looks. From her eye-catching, block-colour, Haider Ackermann suits, to a silk Chanel ensemble and Schiaparelli – this woman’s style is formidable.
Jessica Chastain set pulses racing and was the embodiment of old-school glamour in a black, corseted, strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture – naturally paired with nearly 200 carats worth of Chopard rubies. Chastain was also seen in a cut-out Valentino gown – confirming that emerald green is in fact, her colour.
As a jury member this year, all eyes have been on Maggie Gyllenhaal every decision…and fashion choice. These two looks are my favourite on her beautiful frame. She stunned in a Christian Dior gown and red Atelier Versace gown. Poppy Delevingne wore a joyful, bright yellow Dolce & Gabbana gown, styled with turquoise Chopard earrings – a vision of sunshine!
Poppy Delevingne wore a joyful, bright yellow Dolce & Gabbana gown, styled with turquoise Chopard earrings – a vision of sunshine!
You can never go wrong with a quintessentially classic LBD. Dianne Kruger dazzled in a cut-out, sheer Armani Privé gown. Nina Dobrev proved that that form and structure of a gown to elevate the simplest of silhouettes into something magnificent by wearing Mônot Spring 2021. Anja Rubik was feather heaven in Saint Laurent.
It couldn’t be a summer event without Grecian Goddesses…
Iris Law looked ethereal in pleated, flowing Christian Dior gown featuring a tassel centrepiece, accessorised with Bulgari jewellery. Whilst, Virginie Efira was having a love affair with Dior, choosing to wear two of flowing gowns.
There is elegance at every age. Dame Helen Mirren wore Carolina Herrera’s belted white shirt dress – a lesson in timeless chic to us all. Carla Bruni – the former French first lady, model and singer wore several eye-catching outfits. However, my favourite looks were a shimmering, pastel-blue gown by Hedi Slimane for Celine and a black, form-fitting Saint Laurent dress – proving once a supermodel, always a super model. Andie MacDowell wowed in a shimmery, asymmetric Atelier Versace gown, paired with a bold lip.
Often, the men at Cannes can be over looked with the ruffles, colour and flare of haute couture fashion. This was not the case this year.
Timothée Chalamet owned the red carpet in a metallic silver and gold Tom Ford suit with matching white boots and black Celine sunglasses. Total dude!
Spike Lee, the Cannes Jury president donned a hot pink, double-breasted suit by Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton paired with matching pink sunglasses and custom Nike Air Jordan’s in red, white, and blue colour way giving a respectful nod to the French flag.
Left: The suave Adam Driver looked entirely at home in tailored Burberry. Right: Darren Criss channeled an old-school, riviera vibe in a Balmain double-breasted jacket, reminiscent of the good, old days of Hollywood divas.
A note on Cannes street style…
It seems the whole of Cannes is part of the festival atmosphere with the beautiful and extraordinary looks appearing not only on the red carpet, but everywhere on the streets. A Chanel-clad Marion Cotillard wowed in black dungarees, while Jessica Chastain chose a classic Versace ensemble. Coco Rocha wore a Christian Sirano, off-white, asymmetric tank and front-tied nude trousers – bringing the goddess to the streets.
The art of restraint, Adrian Brody shows us real cool in Christian Dior shirt and trousers. Finally, Charlotte Gainsbourg and her mother, the famous Jane Birkin are the epitome of French chic at its most classy, wearing Saint Laurent and slightly messed-up Converses.
P.S. Cannes 2021 delivered glamour and haute couture heaven back to the red carpet that people all over the world had missed during the drought of stunning shows as a result of the pandemic. Once and for all, cementing this event as one of the great showcases of talent – not just for cinema, but for the very best of flamboyance and design.