Organisers of this year’s Cannes Film Festival cast a conservative shadow over the red carpet with the release of a new dress code noting that, “for decency reasons, nudity is prohibited”.
The rule was seen as an attempt to tamp down on so-called naked dressing, a trend that in recent years has inspired more people to wear less coverage as a way to get attention.
Whether it stopped people from showing skin was debatable. But it certainly didn’t stop stars from making waves with their appearances.
Read more: No nudity please, we're Cannes! Film festival bans 'nude' red carpet dresses
Some, like actor Jeremy Strong, took Cannes as an opportunity to test colour palettes: He wore a range of pastels (purple, green, salmon) that would rival the selection at an Easter egg hunt.
Others, like model Bella Hadid, used the festival to debut new hair (she went blond).
Of all the clothes on display at Cannes, which ended Saturday, these looks were some of the most memorable for myriad reasons – nakedness mostly not among them. – ©2025 The New York Times Company
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Cannes 2025: Most memorable red carpet looks
Coco Rocha: Most Dressed! The model’s Ionut Razvan gown, which involved several layers of what looked like men’s dress shirts, seemed the opposite of naked dressing. Photo: Reuters
Isabelle Huppert: Most Brat! The fine threads used to construct the actor’s Balenciaga gown had the delicacy of natural hair, but the chemical green colour now firmly linked to Charli XCX and her 'Brat' album. Photo: AFP
Pedro Pascal: Most ‘Sun’s Out, Guns Out’! It seemed as if the actor knew that, by wearing a simple outfit of black pants and sleeveless top, he would draw attention to his bare, toned arms. Photo: AP
Rihanna and ASAP Rocky: Most Umbrella! Huddling beneath an umbrella in their Alaia and Saint Laurent finery, the couple, who have recently been teasing the birth of their third child, brought a certain song of Rihanna’s to mind. Photo: AFP
Dakota Johnson: Most Hippie Chic! Wearing a tiered fringed Gucci dress, long straight hair and heavy bangs, the actor could have been mistaken for playing the role of 1960s Cher on the red carpet. Photo: AP
Spike Lee: Most Hometown Pride! The director brought his enthusiasm for the New York Knicks to the French Riviera in an orange-and-blue-striped Cointel suit paired with a blue hat trimmed in orange ribbon. Photo: AFP
Kylie Verzosa: Most Butter Sculpture! The actor’s Mark Bumgarner dress featured the pale yellow shade of the season and a three-dimensional floral skirt, giving it the appearance of edible artwork seen at state fairs. Photo: AFP
Alexander Skarsgard: Most Kinky Boots! Thigh-high leather Saint Laurent boots were not the only risky (risque?) fashion choice taken by the actor, who was in Cannes promoting his new film about queer bikers. He also wore blue sequin pants. Photo: AFP
Angela Bassett: Most Girl With a Pearl Pantsuit! Pearls were among the opulent embellishments dangling from the actor’s Yara Shoemaker ensemble, a look that has graced more than one festival this year (Blake Lively wore it at South by Southwest in March). Photo: AP
Benedict Cumberbatch: Most Pinned Together! The actor made the rounds with his injured arm in a couple of stylish slings, but the most elegant might have been the black silk version affixed to his Prada tuxedo with a custom brooch by the brand. Photo: AP
Emma Stone: Most Bib! An oversize collar on the actor’s white Louis Vuitton gown stood in for a statement necklace – and stood out for its resemblance to an adult-size bib. Photo: AP
Cecile De France: Most Matisse! Traces of Henri Matisse’s Blue Nudes were detectable in the palette and figurative print of the Belgian actor’s Schiaparelli frock. Photo: Reuters
