For nearly 80 years, the Cannes Film Festival has been the premiere showcase for international cinema. Once a year, the two week-long event brings together the global creme-de-la-creme of film, fashion and beyond — A-listers and indie darlings, director-auteurs, supermodels, musicians-turned-thespians, and more — to unveil, award, and, sometimes, revile, what’s next in celluloid.
Along with the long history comes the lore. The festival has introduced the world to some of the most iconic films of all time: Palme D’Or winners like Pulp Fiction and La Dolce Vita and cult hits like Volver and La Haine. It’s also brought us tales of savage walk-outs, marathon standing ovations, all-night after parties, and — oh, yes — the fashion.
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Just like its Riviera locale, the Cannes red carpet has always been about glamour. Think Old Hollywood stars like Sofia Loren, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor in ballgowns, mink stoles, and $4M diamond tiaras. Think also modern stars like Anne Hathaway and Monica Bellucci dripped in Bulgari and Cartier, or supermodels like Bella Hadid wearing the most sumptuous of silks. Opulence aside, Cannes has also emerged as a venue for stars to showcase some of their most daring looks. Remember Björk’s pink accordion frock or Madonna’s Gaultier boyshorts? What about Bella’s Schiaparelli breastplate?
As this year’s festival comes to a close, i-D takes a look back at the most iconic outfits from the festival’s storied history.
Jane Birkin, 1969
Today, Cannes dressing is all about glamour of the highest order. But back in the day, the festival’s best looks were as easy and breezy as its beachside location. Think Grace Kelly in floral pedal pushers. Or Sharon Tate in a jersey babydoll. Or, better yet, Jane Birkin in a baby tee, Jane Birkin in bell bottoms, Jane Birkin, wicker basket in hand. Here, the actress-chanteuse wears a lace crop top and low-slung jeans that epitomise the effortless style of Cannes in the 60s.
Madonna, 1991
In 1991, Madonna flew into Cannes to celebrate the release of her documentary, In Bed with Madonna. The film chronicled the singer as she embarked on her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour, which was famously controversial and famously outfitted by designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. At the premiere, Madge stepped out in a new take on Blonde Ambition’s infamous cone bra, fitted with pink satin boyshorts and a taffeta cape for the red carpet.
Pamela Anderson, 1995
Are we sensing a trend? Four years after Madonna’s Gaultier moment, Pamela Anderson arrived at Cannes to promote Barb Wire in similar, boudoir-inspired style. Here, the actress wears the titular Barb’s signature leather bustier — and black shades to block out the Riviera’s rays.
Monica Bellucci, 1997
In 1997, French star Monica Bellucci blessed the crowd at Cannes — and future Instagram users — with one of the festival’s most memorable photocalls, ever. In the now-iconic photo set — snapped as part of a Cartier event — Monica strikes a sultry pose in a form-fitting Dolce & Gabbana gown and a massive diamond choker. It’s peak glamour; it’s pure drama; it’s a moment that defined, and continues to define, the utter opulence of Cannes fashion.
Björk, 2000
Before the iconic swan dress, there was the Cannes concertina dress. In 2000, Björk attended the festival to fête her acclaimed turn in Lars Von Trier’s musical drama Dancer in the Dark. To the film’s red carpet premiere, the singer-turned-actress stepped out in an organza concertina-shaped frock and a polar bear purse. The kooky look is iconic by Cannes standards, but, at the time, was a harbinger of even more iconic looks to come. The dress was created by Marjan Pejoski, the same designer who would bring us Björk’s unforgettable swan look at the following year’s Academy Awards.
Bella Hadid, 2021
Bella Hadid has been for years the long-standing Queen of Cannes Film Festival. Since 2016 (when she showed up in that Vauthier gown), the supermodel has stunned and stunted on the festival’s red carpet in Tom Ford Gucci, vintage Gaultier, and many, many naked dresses. Despite the abundance of glamour, however, nothing quite tops Bells’ 2021 Schiaparelli moment. Designed by newly-minted creative director Daniel Roseberry for the label’s AW21 couture collection, the gown in question featured a cut-out bust overlaid with a massive golden chest plate shaped like a pair of lungs. The look was an instantly-iconic and truly innovative take on the ubiquitous naked dress — not surprising, coming from one of the genre’s foremost innovators, herself.
Naomi Campbell, 2023
Cannes is a supermodel’s stage to stun. And in 2023, Naomi Campbell — the mother of all supers — took to the festival in some of her most glamorous looks to date, including a neck-to-toe monochrome white look from Balenciaga, accompanied by some oversized bug eye sunglasses from the house. Peak Cannes glam.