As Cannes rolls out the red carpet once again, there’s a surprising shift in focus this year—and it’s not about the films or the celebrities, but what they’re not wearing.
The glitz, glamour, and high fashion that usually define the Cannes Film Festival are facing a major dress code shake-up in the name of “good old-fashioned decency.”
The Red Carpet Crackdown Begins
When the 78th Cannes Film Festival kicks off on Tuesday, it won’t just be about the buzzworthy premieres.
Organizers have introduced strict new guidelines aimed at curbing the red carpet trend of barely-there “naked dresses.”
Think sheer fabrics, plunging necklines, and strategic cutouts—those attention-grabbing looks are now officially off-limits.
According to a newly released code of conduct, the festival is banning nudity on the red carpet and throughout its venues.
“For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival,” a festival document clearly states.
Anyone who breaks the rules? They won’t be let in.
Style Rules Get a Classic Makeover
In an effort to shift the spotlight back to the films, Cannes is embracing a more conservative aesthetic.
The new dress expectations favor timeless elegance: suits, tuxedos, floor-length evening gowns, chic black dresses, cocktail attire, pant-suits, and tasteful accessories.
Dressy sandals are allowed, heels optional.
While it’s unclear whether French broadcasters had any say—given their general aversion to airing nudity—this policy shift marks the first time Cannes has drawn such a firm sartorial line in the sand.
The Rise of the Risky Red Carpet
This change comes after years of the festival being dominated by viral fashion moments—often courtesy of models and influencers, rather than actors and filmmakers.
In 2021, Bella Hadid made headlines with a barely-there black gown.
Then in 2024, she stunned (and scandalized) once again in a sheer, braless number at the premiere of The Apprentice, the biopic about Donald Trump.
The new guidelines seem like a direct response to these types of appearances, aiming to restore a sense of formality to the iconic event.
A Festival With Global Impact—and Political Undertones
The backdrop to all this? A wave of global tension.
Just days before the festival, former President Donald Trump shocked Hollywood and the international film scene by proposing a 100% tariff on foreign-made films.
While the White House says no final decisions have been made, the suggestion alone has sent ripples through the industry.
There’s talk of counterbalancing with tax breaks for American productions, but the underlying message is clear: even Cannes, with its rich history and cultural prestige, isn’t immune to political headwinds.
Cannes: More Than Just Glitz and Glamour
Though the headlines may focus on celebrity fashion, the heart of Cannes has always been the films—and that spirit remains strong.
Cannes was born out of resistance during the fascist rise in Europe during WWII.
It was meant to be a free space for cinema, and over the decades, it has become a launching pad for some of the most influential filmmakers.
This year, new voices are taking center stage. Kristen Stewart (The Chronology of Water), Scarlett Johansson (Eleanor the Great), and Harris Dickinson (Urchin) will all present their directorial debuts in the festival’s Un Certain Regard section.
Familiar Faces and Fresh Stories
Cannes will also welcome back industry heavyweights.
Tom Cruise returns with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and Robert De Niro is set to receive an honorary Palme d’Or, nearly 50 years after Taxi Driver made its unforgettable debut at the same festival.
Quentin Tarantino is also slated to make an appearance, paying tribute to the late Western filmmaker George Sherman.
And as always, filmmakers, distributors, and press from around the world will gather to celebrate, promote, and debate the future of cinema.
From Roller Coaster Rides to Red Carpet Rethinks
Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho, whose latest thriller The Secret Agent will screen this year, described presenting a film at Cannes as “approaching a roller coaster”—equal parts excitement and anxiety.
And with this year’s heightened political and cultural backdrop, the metaphor feels especially true.
One thing’s for sure: between bold new policies and boundary-pushing films, Cannes 2025 is shaping up to be unforgettable—for reasons beyond what anyone’s wearing.