From high-shine sequins to naked dresses, these are some of the most common and popular fashion trends we got to see at the Cannes Film Festival 2024.
The Cannes Film Festival has always been known for celebrating the most astonishing cinematic releases and bringing together all the deserving talents together. However, it has also set a name in the industry for being one of the biggest nights for fashion. This year was no different, as some of the biggest stars in the world came, and they came prepared. Usually, the most fashionable night of the year and the most sartorial moment in May award goes to the Met Gala. However, this year arguably, Cannes took the award home.
For starters, the reigning queen of the festival, Bella Hadid was surprisingly missing from this year’s Met, but she showed up at Cannes in a mixture of off-duty looks and high glamor. Selena Gomez also had her latest film Emilia Perez premier there and stunned in a white and black gown, staying with the basics here! There were also Demi Moore, Jessica Wang, Emma Stone, and others who channeled drama for the red carpet. Anya Taylor-Joy did not disappoint either, being the IT fashion girl of the moment. Wearing a white-hot two-piece which the actress paired with sparkling headwear, a very 1920-style. Another actress also made quite a statement, Hunter Schafer, who is already considered a fashion icon, looked ravishing in a playful mini pinafore Prada dress.
So let’s see some of the trends that this year’s Cannes Film Festival set for the rest of the world-
- The new naked dress
Let’s start this by honoring the most celebrated celebrity at the film festival. At this point, is it even Cannes if Bella Hadid does not show up? Once again the entrepreneur and supermodel stunned the audience with a series of looks. However, out of everything, the standout was definitely the custom Saint Laurent cocktail dress, which was, well, barely there. Don’t mind us, we love us some naked dresses, but the way Hadid showed up looking like a glowed-up princess with such grace and confidence, we think it will become a trend for girls who share the vibe. The dress also had a very beautiful twisted tulle detail along with a sheer bodice, wrapped around the model. Naturally, all eyes were on her as she set the tone for this new naked dress trend.
- Connecting the dots
Fashion has a habit of coming back and that is what happened in one of the most exciting Cannes moments, fashion-wise. Polka dot in this case is a tried-and-tested method that has some serious appeal, that too, timeless. The stars at this year’s Cannes opted for the monochromatic kind and it looked just out of a movie itself! Diane Kruger was one of the stars who looked effortlessly chic in her one-shoulder breezy beach dress. The slight sheer on her dress is the ideal inspiration for a beachside getaway. Demi Moore was another star who shocked away everyone with her elegance in a polka-dotted structured ankle-length dress. She also had matching pumps for that one finishing touch, completing the entire look. Someone who showed high-temperature dressing in the best way possible was Model Poppy Delevingne in her strapless dotted mini, paired with T-bar sandals. And a pair of classic black sunglasses. If you are someone who fell in love with this polka-dot theme and wants it to work in real life, make sure to remember that the key is monochromatic textures.
- Hot white
One thing about Hollywood is that Wimbledon whites are their go-to’s. Nathalie Emmanuel stood out in a boucle two-piece in the perfect Chanel caplet style. Selena Gomez also stepped out looking ethereal in a white crochet set with sleeves and a frilled hem. She matched the look with monochrome slingbacks and gold jewelry. The white looks did not end there, we also had a Julianne Moore at the Cannes this year. She was dressed up in a pencil skirt and tucked shirt for her take on the hot white look. The actress’ buttoned-up collar also had a jeweled brooch which Moore matched with the metallic silver slip-ons. If you go with the Wimbledon white as well, you can opt for this look anytime, in an evening wear, or casual setting. Work with whatever white piece you have or you can try it with a crisp white shirt tucked into a skirt. Definitely go for accessories such as silver-toned or gold jewelry, and you will have the perfect warm look for the summer.
- The classic black long dress
We are all familiar with the little black dress. It is something when you want to look your best, without even trying hard. Wearing your little black dress means you are attempting for the timeless look and probably doing it right. It is true for the Cannes Film Festival as well, but that is usually not so little. It comes with length, and sometimes, even a train. The forever source of energy and style, Alexa Chung once again showed why she oozes the cool girl energy with a long black classic at this year’s Cannes. The column-length v-neck gown looks stunning on her, and adding the pair of black sunglasses makes it even more mysterious. This year, the supermodels have also co-signed the look as we witnessed Model Eva Herzigova with a long black and backless dress. Elsa Hosk went all out in the sheer body-hugging gown that she paired with the wrist full of gold bangles, and a wavy ponytail. Liu Wen also brought a chic, and classy vibe to the red carpet with her asymmetric jersey gown.
- Shining bright
One of the prevailing trends from this year’s Cannes Film Festival was definitely the sequins. Sure, we all expected paillettes, but this year’s Cannes was sparkling from head to toe. Actress and director Greta Gerwig appeared in Saint Laurent and shone brightly on the red carpet. Actor Eva Green in a vintage 2016 Armani Privé along with the Academy-nominated actor Lily Gladstone in a navy Gucci dress were also among the firsts to shine on the Cannes carpet. This is not all, supermodel and television personality Naomi Campbell showed everyone when she does it, she does it right. She stunned in a sequin mesh paneled dress pulled from the iconic Chanel 1996 Haute Couture show, a piece that she herself modeled about 30 years before. Lea Seydoux also looked stunning and went all mirror on her astonishing Louis Vuitton gown. Though a full-length sequin gown might not be appropriate for real-life warm weather conditions, it is definitely something that all fashionistas out there should take note of. If you want to rock a sequin in real life, try isolating the sequin work to one item. You can go for a great pair of jeans, matched with a sequin top. Or you can go for a sparkling mini skirt with a plain white tee.
- Tops or hats!?
One key trend from this year’s Cannes Film Festival red carpet was definitely the accessories. If you have already guessed it, you are right, it is the big hats. Margaret Qualley did her own floppy version of Kristen Scott Thomas in “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, but in white. She completed the look with a black slip dress and a hat pin. Taylor-Joy looked amazing in her super oversized Jacquemus version, and then again in her sheer white dress (also from the same French label). She completed her look with the matching straw style with a bow fixture. Now it is all over the runaways too. We call it the ‘Big Hat Energy’ which took the central role in the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2025 collection and is soon to be taking the same role in the world of regular fashion.
So, these were the hottest fashion trends from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Indeed, a very special night for the fashion world, and the world of self-expression.
