Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, and Jennifer Lawrence, queens of a black and white Cannes red carpet

BarcelonaThis year's Cannes Film Festival will be remembered, at least in terms of fashion, for the organizers' explicit ban on stars showing more than necessary on the red carpet. In practice, the new rules meant that "for reasons of decency," attendees could not appear in outfits that revealed body parts like nipples, or in designs that were too voluminous, or with long trains that impeded proper circulation on the red carpet. The rules had their impact, and this year's Cannes red carpet was more modest and discreet than ever, with a few notable and striking exceptions.

In this new paradigm of refinement, the majority trend has been to opt for either black or white. Setting the tone were two of that year's jury members, Juliette Binoche and Halle Berry. On the opening night of the festival, the Frenchwoman chose an ecru Dior ensemble consisting of a draped silk crepe top—with a section that covered her head—and silk trousers. Meanwhile, the star of Monster's Ball opted for a Jacquemus suit with a trapezoid shape and a collar halter with black and white stripes (a print that inevitably brings to mind Beetlejuice) This was not the dress that Berry and her stylist had initially chosen for the first night of the festival.

After opening night, many actresses opted for black, both sober and elegant. Among this group is Andie MacDowell, who strictly followed the new dress code Cannes wearing a masculine suit jacket that she paired with silver heels and a large bow tie. The final touch of distinction was provided by an updo that mimicked a haircut. waiterBlack was also Julianne Moore's color of choice, who opted for an austere Bottega Veneta design that only allowed for the fantasy of a leather strap with a large knot.

Something more historic, although also with black as a background color, was the dress chosen by Natalie Portman. The American, loyal to Dior, appeared on the red carpet wearing a reinterpretation of the Mexico design, one of the most representative dresses from the French firm's 1951 fall/winter collection that revolutionized fashion with the New LookThe original dress featured a bust accentuated by a black velvet bow and a hemline with considerable volume. The entire gown was decorated with crescent moons reflected in the water. In the version worn by Portman, the hemline is less voluminous and more fitted to the actress's figure.

Among the daring, black-clad men at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Sweden's Alexander Skarsgard deserves a place of honor. premiere of The Phoenician SchemeThe actor stunned with high-top black leather boots to top off a double-breasted Saint Laurent tuxedo. This accessory was seen at the French brand's Fall 2025 menswear collection.

Another man who caught the eye at this edition was Paul Mescal, also dressed in all black, a suit jacket and trousers with a flared collar and swapping his tie for a bow tie. Although they didn't perform together, the Irish actor was accompanied by his partner, singer Gracie Abrams, who came in a simple black Chanel suit with a collar. halter and accompanied by a black shawl that led to a small train that complied with festival regulations. Other stars who chose black for their walk on the red carpet included Irina Shayk and Julia Garner, who was more playful and wore a sheer black dress over a flesh-colored lining.

Bridal white

While black has always been associated with elegance and the evening, white, for obvious reasons, is always linked to bridal fashion. This has not prevented many of the artists who have walked the Cannes red carpet from choosing it. It was adorned with a large, asymmetrical, circular neckline, an element that we are not sure violated Cannes rules. In any case, the actress had no problem walking the red carpet. A classic yet modern dress thanks to the draping of the upper part. Classicism was the hallmark of Rooney Mara, who appeared at the red tapestries with a suit vintage Givenchy from the 1956 collection. The choice made one think more than ever of Audrey Hepburn, the French firm's muse and actress whom Mara was to play in a biopic ultimately unborn by Luca Guadagnino.

It also had references to classic cinema. look worn by Zoey Deutch, who transformed into Jean Seberg for Richard Linklater's latest film. Dressed in a white silk Chanel with a peplum overskirt and with a side-parted hairstyle and strong waves, the American was the very image ofOld Hollywood.

The most alternative at this year's Cannes Film Festival was, of course, Kristen Stewart. As director, she chose a masculine ivory-colored jacket dress with shorts.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona summed up the stylistic spirit of this edition of Cannes in the photocall presentation of his latest film, SplitvilleWhether they were coordinated or not, the actresses showcased the black and white combination that has characterized this year's red carpet. Johnson, with her hair in a long braid, opted for a black Gucci mini suit with very thin straps, while Arjona wore an ivory Christopher John Rogers design.

For the evening, however, the two actresses let loose and opted for a change of color palette, although they remained quite complementary. Melanie Griffith's daughter again opted for Gucci, but in this case it was a mauve strapless dress with a fringed hem. Meanwhile, the star ofAndor She wore an apple green Louis Vuitton design with a sweetheart neckline.

Arjona and Johnson's color combination was followed a few days later by Elle Fanning and Renate Reinsve. Fanning, nominated for best dressed at this Cannes Film Festival, dazzled in a spectacular turquoise green mermaid-style Armani Privée gown with pale pink inlaid flowers. look Romantic, like the ones the American usually chooses, but also elegant and sexy. Her co-star wore a mauve Louis Vuitton suit. The design featured a pronounced V-neckline and a peplum that transformed into a festival-appropriate train.

Stars defying the norms

Although Halle Berry followed the rules to the letter on opening day, a few days later the American decided to defy the festival and for the presentation of the new installment of Mission Impossible She wore an outfit that featured a very puffy hemline. The dress, by Celia Kritharioti, consisted of a corset that evolved into a puffy two-tone black and pink skirt. Other guests followed suit and stood up to the festival's strict rules. In the group of rebels figure Heidi Klum, who appeared at the opening gala in a floral Elie Saab gown with a spectacular train. She looked like one big pink flower.

A similar case is that of Chinese actress Wan Qian Hui, who has repeatedly broken the rules during the festival. On the first day, she appeared in a white dress that was the perfect definition of the voluminous concept that seems to anger the festival organizers so much. The dress almost looked like a big cloud of cotton. This was not the only moment in which the Chinese actress managed to attract attention during the festival: another of hers looks The most talked about was a black dress adorned with a sculpture of a leopard clinging to her figure. Although it was clearly skipped over dress code From Cannes, Wan Qian Hui was able to walk without any problems on one of the most famous red carpets in the world.