Imagine telling celebrities they can’t wear naked dresses to one of the biggest red carpets of the year. Bella Hadid, Julia Fox, and Florence Pugh would lead the riot without a doubt. Well, the Cannes Film Festival had better prepare for some protests. On Monday— a day before the 78th iteration of the beachside event kicks off—festival organizers released a new set of guidelines, which includes an update to its dress code that likely has stylists in a last-minute tizzy.
According to its charter, “for decency reasons,” nudity has been prohibited at the Cannes premieres. Anyone who does not abide by this rule will be banned from the red carpet.
It seems a bit strange that in the year of 2025, Cannes is making this seemingly close-minded call. The past few years have seen an influx of nude dressing, a trend that has spread from the Croisette to red carpets around the world. But how aggressively will this rule be enforced? When The Hollywood Reporter asked the festival for further information on the update, a rep clarified that these “rules have long been in effect,” and the updated charter now reflects that. Their goal, meanwhile, is “not to regulate attire per se but to prohibit full nudity on the carpet.” But what, exactly, does “full nudity” mean in this context? Would the completely see-through Saint Laurent dress Bella Hadid wore to the festival in 2024 fly in 2025? What a shame it would be to miss out on another moment like that.
Other parts of this new dress code are just as confusing. It continues, stating, “voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater are not permitted.” So, dresses are not to be too skimpy nor too large. Where is one supposed to find this perfect Goldilocks dress? Besides, what is the Cannes red carpet if not the perfect setting for a gorgeous ball gown? Would Elle Fanning’s Alexander McQueen masterpiece not be permitted in 2025? Or what about Tilda Swinton’s fruit-covered Dior by John Galliano confection from 2001? You can’t tell a movie star to not wear a ball gown. That’s like asking an LV girl to wear pants to the 2025 Met Gala. It can’t be done.
Six more dresses that would be banned from the 2025 Cannes Film Festival:
Is Swinton’s John Galliano for Dior gown from 2001 too voluminous?
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What about Blake Lively’s Gucci dress in 2014?
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Cameron Diaz wore this sheer Versace dress to the Gangs of New York premiere in 2002.
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In 2018, Kendall Jenner wore another Schiaparelli dress that may get turned away in 2025.
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Imagine not getting this iconic Dior moment from Natalie Portman in 2023 because this recreation of the Junon dress would “complicate seating in the theater.”
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