The Cannes Film Festival is a stickler for rules.
No naked dressing. No voluminous gowns or dresses with long trains. No sneakers. And lest they be barred from the red carpet, attendees should strictly wear black and navy suits.
Yet, year after year, the festival manages to eke out striking fashion moments. Remember Bella Hadid’s sleek Schiaparelli gown with a necklace that resembled pulmonary capillaries? It is a testament to the creativity of the stars — and their coterie of stylists — who descend upon the French Riviera annually for the event.
This year, the festival is taking place from May 12 to 23, and will celebrate films such as “Fatherland” by Pawel Pawlikowski and “Bitter Christmas” by Pedro Almodóvar. Although Cannes is seeing less of a Hollywood invasion this year, in part because fewer English-language films are premiering at the festival, the clothes are finding a way to break through.
Take Ruth Negga, a woman of infinite range, who — only six days into the festival — has already worn a green fringe dress, a sharply tailored power suit and a black lace peplum gown that evokes a Gothic romance. Or Demi Moore in a purple chiffon gown with a long train that billowed in the wind. Or Tyrese Gibson, who walked the red carpet in a cream suit jacket, a jewel instead of a tie affixed to his collar and blue jeans. (Gasp!) Fashion is more fun when rules are broken anyway.
There will be more looks to gawk, marvel or clutch your pearls at as the week goes on. Find them all below.