As the Cannes Film Festival opened on May 12, celebrities delivered a mix of showstopping glamour and a few notable missteps on the Croisette red carpet. The 79th edition of the festival runs through May 23 in Cannes, France, and early arrivals have already showcased a range of looks from classic elegance to daring, camera-ready experimentation.
One of the most talked-about arrivals was Demi Moore, who appeared at the opening ceremony as a member of the festival jury in a custom Jacquemus gown. The strapless white dress featured a fitted bodice, peplum waist and a mermaid skirt covered in iridescent sequins; Moore completed the look with a dramatic Chopard necklace composed of five rows of large diamonds. Moore returned on day two in a gauzy purple gown — an off-the-shoulder, semi-sheer design with a long split train — that reviewers said had a flattering color but a shimmering fabric that did not photograph as well as the Jacquemus piece.
Veteran star Jane Fonda opted for timeless glamour on opening night in a custom Gucci gown. The sequined black number had a high neckline, long sleeves and a pleated floor-length skirt that paired with a curly bob and a bold pendant necklace, underlining why classic tailoring and understatement remain successful formulas on Cannes’ red carpet. Likewise, Elijah Wood drew praise for a sharply tailored, double-breasted black tuxedo worn unbuttoned with a satin bow tie and polished leather shoes.
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Not every arrival was universally praised. Heidi Klum turned heads in a pastel yellow Elie Saab gown with a deep neckline, ruched waist and oversized pink floral accent, but critics said the pale color washed her out and that a richer shade would have been more striking. French actor Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu’s fuchsia ruffled gown — with exaggerated sleeves, a puffed semi-sheer skirt and a cape-style train — was lauded for its color and jewels but judged to overwhelm her petite frame.
The festival also featured a high-profile joint appearance from newlyweds Alexandra and Charles Leclerc, who walked the La Vie D'Une Femme red carpet together. Alexandra wore a strapless, rose-gold mesh gown encrusted with sequins while her husband, the Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc, chose a classic tuxedo accented with a diamond, leaf-shaped brooch. Other notable arrivals included Gillian Anderson in a baby-pink gown embellished with chunky crystals and pearls — observers felt the silhouette needed finer tailoring — and Aja Naomi King, who received praise for a white floral-lace gown layered over a pink satin slip and trimmed with ruffled feathers, finished with a diamond choker.
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With nearly two weeks of screenings, premieres and premieres yet to come, Cannes’ red carpet will likely continue to produce striking moments and divided opinions as stars and designers use the festival to set trends and make statements.
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