The Cannes Film Festival is a convention held yearly during May. This year was the 78th edition that took place from the 13th of May of 2025 in Cannes, France on the Côte d’Azur, specifically in the heart of the famous Palais des Festivals.

Purpose of the event

The main aim of the event is to encourage the development of the cinematographic art in all its forms, and create and foster a spirit of collaboration between all film-producing countries. 

In addition, the Cannes Film Festival is an event reserved to film industry professionals. In order to participate, they must have an accreditation, granted by professional category.

However, organizers are aware about the success the Festival has in the general public and are trying to improve the way it reaches film enthusiasts by involving young people from the age of 18 to 28 to the beginning and end of the festival to discover films from the Official Selection. 

The popularity that this Film Festival has gained is partly due to the attendance of the celebrity endorsers or influencers involved; Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Selena Gomez were invited to amplify the event’s visibility through their vast social media followings. These influencers helped showcase the festival to a broader audience, aligning with the growing trend of incorporating fashion influencers and model-turned-entrepreneurs into Cannes, compared to the more traditional focus on established film industry figures in previous years​. 

Style and Cannes

The red carpet at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival is once again proving to be a masterclass in cinematic glamour, whether stars are channeling the elegance of the Croisette’s sun-drenched beaches or simply respecting the festival’s famously formal dress code. For screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, attendees are expected to don their finest—think floor-length gowns, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, and tailored suits in dark hues, with elegant footwear strictly required (sneakers need not apply). Running from May 13 to May 24, the 78th edition of the festival promises a dazzling lineup of films and fashion alike. Things open with Partir un Jour, a French comedy directed by Amélie Bonnin, while one of the most anticipated premieres, Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning, starring Tom Cruise alongside Hannah Waddingham, Angela Bassett, and more, is set to make waves on May 14.

The most outstanding woman looks on the red carpet

This year’s main themes were: Etheral Elegance, with soft pastels, flowing chiffon, and delicate embroidery gracing the red carpet. French actress Clémence Poésy channeled Riviera romance in a pale lavender Chanel haute couture gown, complete with subtle pleating and vintage-inspired pearl accents. Metalics like Zendaya stunned in a custom Versace creation: a silver sculptural gown with a dramatic high slit and fluid draping that shimmered under every camera flash. Model Bella Hadid followed suit in a chrome-effect Balmain dress, paired with diamond cuffs that echoed the look’s liquid-metal vibe. Finally there were bold and dramatic looks that took center stage as stars opted for statement-making hues and exaggerated shapes. Hannah Waddingham brought drama in a deep crimson Valentino cape gown that seemed to glide as she walked, while Anya Taylor-Joy wowed in a tangerine Dior creation with structured ruffles and a cinched waist—pure modern princess.

For this reason we could see shimmery looks such as the ones worn by Diane Kruger and Irina Shayk styled her textured Elie Saab gown with jewellery by Marli; some silk dresses with open back like the ones worn by Bella Hadid and Ariana Greenblatt as well as many extravagant creative dresses like Irina Shayk’s and Heidi Klum.

Eye catching looks worn by men

Not only the gowns flowed on the red carpet but also suits following different styles such as: classic but with a twist that remained the anchor of many men’s red carpet looks. Tom Cruise, ever the icon of old-school Hollywood charm, arrived at the premiere in a sharp navy Brioni tuxedo with a satin peak lapel, paired with a traditional bow tie. His look was timeless but far from boring—proof that precision tailoring is always in style. Modern Tailored had its moment too. Rising stars and fashion-forward actors swapped black suits for deep earth tones, midnight blue, and even ivory. Timothée Chalamet, never one to follow the rules, turned heads in a cream silk Haider Ackermann ensemble with a loose-cut jacket and open collar, skipping the tie for a more relaxed yet refined Riviera vibe. Lastly texture and velvet which added a layer of luxury to the red carpet. British actor Nicholas Hoult wore a burgundy velvet tuxedo from Tom Ford with black lapels—bold yet beautifully balanced. The look was both retro and contemporary, and paired perfectly with polished leather loafers and a slicked-back hairstyle.