Fashion
The Best Cannes Film Festival Looks Aren’t on the Red Carpet
Each year, the film world descends upon the south of France for the Cannes Film Festival. The world-renowned two-week event sees celebrities flex their sartorial muscles to present some of the year’s most anticipated movies. With a red carpet happening almost every day, the fashion is unlikely to disappoint, as evidenced by decades past.
The festival has certainly made for some truly iconic red carpet moments: Bella Hadid in 2021 wearing a black Schiaparelli gown accessorized with a lung-shaped breastplate, Rihanna in a white Dior gown with matching shades in 2017, a pregnant Angelina Jolie in a green Max Azria dress in 2008, and Princess Diana in a Catherine Walker blue number in 1987.
This year, off-the-carpet looks are bringing out celebrities’ true personal style. That’s because the Cannes Film Festival is an all-around photo opportunity that delivers fashion moments from the airport, hotels, and yachts to film photo calls. With the lenses of paparazzi (and the Internet’s eyes!) in mind, celebrities dress the part. Pamela Anderson, for example, delivered an iconic moment in a black leather corset and matching opera gloves while appearing in a yacht to promote the film “Barb Wire.”
As the 2024 edition of the Cannes Film Festival wraps up, it’s clear celebrities have continued this sartorial tradition, from Meryl Streep’s Coastal Grandmother outfit to Anya-Taylor Joy’s larger-than-life straw hat. Ahead, see some of the best off-the-carpet looks from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Meryl Streep
The Coastal Grandmother trend may seem like a thing of summers past, but Meryl Streep is keeping the aesthetic alive in Cannes. The actress, who was honored with the prestigious Palm D’Or at the film festival, sported a casual white suit with a striped shirt and wide-brimmed hat that made her look right out of a Nancy Meyers movie.
Zoe Saldana
It may be the South of France, but Zoe Saldana held on to the corporate chic trend. The actress attended a photocall for her film Emilia Perez in a gray pencil skirt and blazer, paired with a plunging V-neck top and brown pumps. While the outfit is certainly more after-work dinner than a 9 am meeting, it’s one way to revive the old corporate uniform.
Gretta Gerwig
This year’s jury president stepped out in a blue striped dress from Maison Margiela’s Artisanal collection, pairing the look with an ultra-high set of the brand’s controversial Tabi shoes. The exaggerated proportions at the bust and hips make this one a subversive take on the traditional summer dress.
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid is a Cannes Film Festival regular by now, turning one look after another each year. The model-turned-horse rider struck gold in this shiny halter mini dress, which she paired with tiny sunglasses and beige pumps. While we’re yet to see a Bella Hadid film cameo, she’s exuding movie star energy from head to toe.
Anya-Taylor Joy
With its paradisiacal beaches and luxe hotels, there’s nowhere more apt to wear a massive straw hat than Cannes. Leave it to Anya-Taylor Joy to flex her beachside fashion during an outing for the Cannes Film Festival, where she’s promoting the upcoming film, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Just as she touched down in the South of France, the actress made an appearance in an orange Atlein dress and supersized Jacquemus hat.
Lily Gladstone
As a member of this year’s jury, Gladstone has taken over the Cannes red carpet. For a more casual outing, the actress wowed in a dusty pink dress and matching heels while leaving the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes. The coquette look also included a pair or flower-printed earrings and wavy sunglasses that gave the otherwise classic outfit an edge.
Demi Moore
It’s a blast from the ’80s past thanks to Demi Moore’s take on the polka dot trend. The actress, who is in Cannes promoting the film The Substance, sported a white maxi dress with black polka dots during a photo call. She accessorized the look with a pair of strapped black-and-white pumps and matching sunglasses that added a chic touch to the nostalgic outfit.
Elle Fanning
A long-time fashionista, Elle Fanning descended at Nice airport wearing a light blue suit that’s fit for the summer holiday spirit in Cannes. The actress paired her off-the-plane look with a cream tank top, white handbag, and pump shoes for a summer-ready styling that’s fit to copy-paste into your seasonal rotation.
Hunter Schafer
Keeping with the French Riviera vibes, Hunter Schafer pulled a Prada moment in a cottagecore bodysuit and wrap skirt combo. It was made even better by a white head scarf and light blue pumps that made the look vacation-worthy. Next time you pack your bags, take note.
Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum redefined airport style in a black slip dress and leather jacket when she arrived at the Nice airport for the Cannes Film Festival. The German model gave the otherwise comfy outfit formula an edgy twist, pairing the slip dress with boho chic black clogs, reminiscent of the late 2000s.