Cannes Cracks Down: Nude and Giant Gown Red Carpet Looks Banned in New Dress Code Drama

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As a gamer immersed in the world of cinema, I’m thrilled that the Cannes Film Festival is underway! Despite the overshadowing presence of President Donald Trump during this year’s event, the most buzzing topic so far has been the festival’s innovative new red carpet dress code.

Just before this year’s grand opening, an official from Cannes confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the festival has revised its constitution to prohibit full nudity and extravagant outfits with large trains, which may obstruct guest movement or make seating in the theater difficult. The spokesperson clarified that this dress code is not about controlling clothing choices directly, but rather about enforcing rules that have been in place for some time.

Despite its validity, the application of rules seems to have been somewhat ambiguous. A brief glance at the Getty archives shows a multitude of daring and disorderly outfits, visible nipples and backsides, as well as lengthy trains that stretch back for many years.

Back in 1988, I found myself in awe of Ilona Staller, an Italian actress, who made quite the statement on the red carpet wearing a daring dress that was more suggestion than fabric, baring all her glory up top. More recently, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner have followed suit with their sheer ensembles leaving not much to one’s imagination. Interestingly, though, celebrities, models, and brand ambassadors (especially those representing festivals sponsors like L’Oreal, Kering, and Chopard) have always enjoyed a certain level of freedom when it comes to fashion choices, compared to regular festival-goers who are bound by the formalities of black-tie and evening wear.

Festival organizer Thierry Frémaux has remained silent on the recent dress code modifications, but he’s infamous for maintaining a stringent approach when it comes to preserving the festival’s authenticity (as we recall, he once labeled selfies as ludicrous and distasteful). Likewise, the security personnel at the Palais are known for their strictness. This year, they will undoubtedly be vigilant in barring individuals who appear nude or dressed in attire now considered excessively wild, according to the new guidelines. The festival’s welcoming teams will be required to deny red carpet access to anyone disregarding these rules.

Halle Berry and her styling team quickly adjusted their plans when a new policy was announced. During a press conference on Tuesday, as an Oscar winner, she revealed that she had changed her outfit for the opening ceremony that same night. “I had a fantastic dress picked out to wear tonight,” she told the international media, “but I can’t wear it because the train is too large.” She added that she would adhere to the rules and make necessary changes. Regarding the rule about nudity, she commented, “I think this rule might be beneficial as well.

To get an idea of how news about the festival is spreading internationally, we reached out to up-and-coming fashion influencer and TikTok sensation Nicky Campbell for insights. “Cannes takes great pride in their exclusive image,” Campbell notes, “but this sudden rule change could pose a significant challenge, particularly for A-list celebrities, event sponsors who foot the bill for many attendees, and their stylists who’ve been meticulously planning red carpet looks for weeks.” He adds, “This sudden edict might trigger a flurry of last-minute adjustments in wardrobe selection, sourcing, and labor to ensure celebrities arrive camera-ready and avoid any potential backlash. I’d be in a state of panic.

Tosha Hays, a well-known figure in the fashion industry with experience at Venus Fashion and Spanx, has expressed her backing of the Cannes ‘naked dress’ ban. She views this not as a rebuff to daring fashion, but as a reflection of our current cultural climate. In today’s economy that thrives on attention, she believes that less is not always more.

In her own words, “I support the Cannes ‘naked dress’ ban as a commentary on our contemporary society. The red carpet has shifted from being about style to being about algorithms. We’ve swapped storytelling for spectacle. This isn’t about modesty, it’s about meaning.

Delving into history often reveals meaning, so we’ve gathered some striking photographs showcasing an array of the grandest and most extravagant gowns that graced the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in past years. However, please be advised that some images include partial nudity.

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2025-05-14 23:29