The most extravagant and glamorous outfits from the Cannes Film Festival

Cannes Film Festival (17-28 May) is ostensibly about films – and there have been some big ones this year, with screenings of Baz Luhrmann’s new Elvis Presley biopic, and Tom Cruise returning in Top Gun: Maverick.

And yet that’s not really the best thing about Cannes – what we look forward to every year is the completely over-the-top red carpet.

It’s a chance for celebrities to descend on the French Riviera wearing their most glamorous outfits, and this year certainly delivered in the style stakes.

The princess dresses…

Elle Fanning is right at home in Cannes – she was the youngest jury member ever in 2019, and consistently brings some of most memorable fashion moments to the French red carpet. This year, she gave us a classic look: a blush Giorgio Armani Prive gown with a fishtail skirt. With crystals on the dress, a bow in her hair and some major diamonds, the whole vibe was delicate and ethereal.

Dressed in a bright yellow Alexander McQueen gown with puffed sleeves and corset-style boning on the bodice, Viola Davis’ outfit was reminiscent of a fictional princess: Belle from Beauty And The Beast.

Giving a modern take on the classic princess silhouette, Jourdan Dunn wore a pale pink gown by Ashi Studio, made up of a structured minidress with a puff caped skirt attached.

Winnie Harlow’s look was far more classic – an Off-White creation with a structured asymmetric bodice and layers of tulle for the skirt.

The fashion statements…

Bella Hadid made a bold statement in vintage fashion, wearing an architectural black strapless gown from Versace’s spring/summer 1987 collection. Hadid sent Donatella Versace a personal message on Instagram, posting: “I hope to make you and Gianni [her brother, the late Versace designer] proud always.”

Sharon Stone’s Cannes outfit was two dresses in one. She walked the red carpet in a blue and white Dolce & Gabbana gown with two male models on her arms – who then helped remove the bustle attachment, revealing a slim-fit column dress underneath.

Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s red carpet look was all about drama, with the beaded gown bursting into an architectural accent over her head. Designer Gaurav Gupta posted on Instagram: “Inspired by the birth of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love, rising from the scalloped shell; she transitions from the infinite, pure as a pearl.”

Model Adriana Lima paid tribute to Rihanna in her red carpet look, who served plenty of belly-baring fashion moments when she was pregnant. Lima wore a Grecian-style black Balmain dress, with a major cut-out displaying her growing bump.

The nearly-naked looks…

Naomi Campbell’s feathered Valentino gown was a masterclass in plunging necklines, with two thin straps making up the bodice.

Kylie Minogue amped up the sex appeal in a Versace gown, with a sheer corset-style bodice showing off a sparkly black bra.

Going for Gothic glam, Cara Delevingne’s black Balmain dress was dotted with sheer diamond-shaped panels – and set off with the must-have red carpet accessory of the moment: gloves.

The sparkles…

Anne Hathaway has had a standout time at her first Cannes Film Festival, making waves in kicky minidresses and brightly coloured tailoring. But her biggest fashion moment came on the red carpet, in a softly shimmering white Armani dress. It gave off a Nineties vibe, with a tube top attachment, a long shawl trailing on the ground, and Hathaway’s hair left loose.

Eva Longoria went all-in on sparkles in a silver gown by Cristina Ottaviano, looking like she was wearing high-fashion armour.

Julia Roberts wasn’t wearing an obviously sparkly outfit (instead, she donned a classic black Louis Vuitton suit) but we can’t take our eyes off her massive Chopard necklace. According to Chopard, the rare yellow diamond clocks in at over 100 carats, and it gave Roberts’ ensemble the shine it needed.