The Cannes Film Festival is any fashion lover’s dream. For two weeks in May, the world’s biggest stars dress up to the absolute nines and hit the red carpet day in and day out. Picking from their favorite couture moments or ready-to-wear gowns, the festival is a time for some of fashion’s most extravagant pieces to shine. No precise aesthetic defines the festival’s red carpet aside from a penchant for statements and a bit of adventurous glamour.
Models and actors alike have nailed the assignment over the years, wearing a range of designers including big names like Lanvin, Givenchy, and Alexander McQueen, and relatively more niche labels like Haider Ackermann (Tilda Swinton’s Cannes go-to), Narciso Rodriguez, and Ralph & Russo. As stars begin to descend on the south of France for the 2024 edition, we’re highlighting a few of our favorite statements from the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
For the Cannes premiere of May December, perennial Dior muse Natalie Portman brought the house’s archives to the red carpet. She sported a recreation of one of Dior’s most famous designs, the Junon dress, which was originally created for the house’s fall 1949 collection.
![35c12240 bf8f 408f b7cf 196aa9c6abeb getty 1257313582](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/getty/2024/5/9/35c12240-bf8f-408f-b7cf-196aa9c6abeb-getty-1257313582.jpg?w=374&h=575&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
There’s LBDs and then there’s archival LBDs like the one Lily-Rose Depp wore to the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. The actress, in town for the premiere of The Idol, sported a vintage Chanel mini dress that was first modeled by Helena Christensen back in 1994.
![8bbe5632 6548 4ab7 bf25 046d28279cd9 gettyimages 1399432249](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/8bbe5632-6548-4ab7-bf25-046d28279cd9-gettyimages-1399432249.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
![07f06ddf eb60 477a a749 a4eefe8f46b4 gettyimages 1397942299](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/07f06ddf-eb60-477a-a749-a4eefe8f46b4-gettyimages-1397942299.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Fanning looked like a modern day princess in a pale pink Armani Privé gown with Chopard jewels fit for royalty.
![6f89e604 3cf6 4626 b671 9590d17a05b1 gettyimages 1397942278](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/6f89e604-3cf6-4626-b671-9590d17a05b1-gettyimages-1397942278.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Davis radiated beauty in a canary yellow Alexander McQueen dress, which she accessorized with Maison Boucheron jewels.
![92d871a2 f2c9 4bec 9b11 1f1acbf993c2 gettyimages 1398216880](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/92d871a2-f2c9-4bec-9b11-1f1acbf993c2-gettyimages-1398216880.jpg?w=374&h=558&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
![4abcfa99 c7d1 4ba8 af07 38c9a6b488f6 gettyimages 1398139749](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/4abcfa99-c7d1-4ba8-af07-38c9a6b488f6-gettyimages-1398139749.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
As a jury member, Padukone attended many red carpets during the 2022 festival, but the sculptural orange custom Ashi Studio dress she wore to the 75th-anniversary screening of L’Innocent was our favorite from the event.
![ad125a84 4a96 4d02 b699 8bfba9495ed5 gettyimages 1328194002](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/ad125a84-4a96-4d02-b699-8bfba9495ed5-gettyimages-1328194002.jpg?w=374&h=567&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
The model stole the show in this Schiaparelli fall 2021 couture dress which features a gold necklace shaped like a pair of lungs.
![4179747e 9d36 4ead aadd 5580681b68d5 gettyimages 1329239357](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/4179747e-9d36-4ead-aadd-5580681b68d5-gettyimages-1329239357.jpg?w=374&h=516&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
The beautiful details of this Oscar de la Renta gown are what made it a standout during the premiere of OSS 117: Alerte Rouge en Afrique Noire in 2021.
![cb66694a 7eb1 4213 875b 2c2caa15b6d3 gettyimages 1329091685](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/cb66694a-7eb1-4213-875b-2c2caa15b6d3-gettyimages-1329091685.jpg?w=374&h=537&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
King brought major regal energy in this black Schiaparelli ball gown to the festival’s amfAR Gala.
![e494f5b0 5abc 4a62 adcd df162414712d gettyimages 1327684258](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/e494f5b0-5abc-4a62-adcd-df162414712d-gettyimages-1327684258.jpg?w=374&h=468&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
All eyes were on Turner-Smith in Gucci at the Stillwater screening during last year’s festival.
![1ce93731 29cf 490e 9ef4 d9aba7f79c51 gettyimages 1327493998](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/1ce93731-29cf-490e-9ef4-d9aba7f79c51-gettyimages-1327493998.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Huppert, ever the ultimate cool girl, showed up to the Tout S’est Bien Passe (Everything Went Fine) screening in head-to-toe Balenciaga.
![0d99b85b 623b 4ea0 bdcc 1d159b55791e gettyimages 1151635937](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/0d99b85b-623b-4ea0-bdcc-1d159b55791e-gettyimages-1151635937.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Fanning looked like a modern princess in this caped Gucci gown at the screening of The Dead Don’t Die in 2019.
![e23516af 4721 40bc 993e 9a01c672a3b4 gettyimages 958497776](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/e23516af-4721-40bc-993e-9a01c672a3b4-gettyimages-958497776.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Hadid’s halter neck silver Elie Saab dress stole the show at Cannes in 2018.
![f04179d7 af9f 4c4f b42e 29744312cc88 gettyimages 685312944](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/f04179d7-af9f-4c4f-b42e-29744312cc88-gettyimages-685312944.jpg?w=374&h=523&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Rihanna stunned in Dior at the premiere of Okja in 2017.
![02f954e6 b9f7 42b1 86c6 f327d283cc91 gettyimages 533102214](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/02f954e6-b9f7-42b1-86c6-f327d283cc91-gettyimages-533102214.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Dunst made a marigold statement in custom Maison Margiela at the premiere of The Neon Demon.
![ea6401f4 f4b1 44b4 80d8 d47d7f665834 gettyimages 532140850](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/ea6401f4-f4b1-44b4-80d8-d47d7f665834-gettyimages-532140850.jpg?w=374&h=562&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Kebede opted for something a little different—a green velvet Haider Ackermann dress with one leg hole—at the premiere of The Unknown Girl at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
![a06a44a2 f848 4d39 8adb f501b8f060e1 gettyimages 531015370](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/a06a44a2-f848-4d39-8adb-f501b8f060e1-gettyimages-531015370.jpg?w=374&h=560&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Chastain radiated old Hollywood glamour in an Alexander McQueen gown at the premiere of Money Monster during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
![ec705131 c1d2 4d35 b9d7 e91e93ba0e71 gettyimages 474417168](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/ec705131-c1d2-4d35-b9d7-e91e93ba0e71-gettyimages-474417168.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Iman stunned in Zuhair Murad at the amfAR gala at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015.
![d79aa7eb 6276 414e 938c fad6c3b8d81c gettyimages 473371490](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/d79aa7eb-6276-414e-938c-fad6c3b8d81c-gettyimages-473371490.jpg?w=374&h=452&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
This Ralph & Russo gown was just one of a number of stellar red carpet looks from Fan at the 2015 festival.
![29af5a14 423b 4202 b1a0 955d2317930a gettyimages 473183116](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/29af5a14-423b-4202-b1a0-955d2317930a-gettyimages-473183116.jpg?w=374&h=549&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
At the 2015 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony, Nyong’o made it her show in an emerald green Gucci dress.
![6a1421c4 8774 4526 b644 d01a707f23f2 gettyimages 473370986](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/6a1421c4-8774-4526-b644-d01a707f23f2-gettyimages-473370986.jpg?w=374&h=619&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
The Mad Max red carpet drew all the best looks, including Moore’s Givenchy couture in velvet.
![65727973 15ae 4fdc 8f64 a8b39402bbea gettyimages 473280544](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/65727973-15ae-4fdc-8f64-a8b39402bbea-gettyimages-473280544.jpg?w=374&h=555&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
It wasn’t her film, but Kebede, in Proenza Schouler, still stole the show at the premiere of Mad Max: Fury Road during the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.
![3543716d e367 4bea 8d9c deced1698293 gettyimages 490394039](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/3543716d-e367-4bea-8d9c-deced1698293-gettyimages-490394039.jpg?w=374&h=568&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Lively recently revealed she almost wore this Gucci Premiere dress to the Met Gala in 2014, but last minute decided to save it for The Captive premiere later that same month at Cannes.
![e77856cc ed34 4634 ad34 c6c0257afa35 gettyimages 490533441](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/e77856cc-ed34-4634-ad34-c6c0257afa35-gettyimages-490533441.jpg?w=374&h=560&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Zhang wore this unique Stéphane Rolland dress on the red carpet of the Grace of Monaco screening during the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
![7370e134 c6d7 4605 a14e ea7ba7600138 gettyimages 169475067](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/7370e134-c6d7-4605-a14e-ea7ba7600138-gettyimages-169475067.jpg?w=374&h=562&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Swinton, in her go-to Haider Ackermann, at the premiere of Only Lovers Left Alive at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
![f1f3ae0b 85b0 4fd4 8916 325c2a640e07 gettyimages 169186404](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/f1f3ae0b-85b0-4fd4-8916-325c2a640e07-gettyimages-169186404.jpg?w=374&h=562&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Chastain’s ivory, caped Versace gown was classically beautiful, but more importantly, it acted as the perfect base for her Bulgari diamond-and-sapphire pendant. The necklace was a gift from Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor, making it an appropriate accessory for an anniversary screening of Cleopatra at the 2013 festival.
![7bd2ef19 697e 4702 9e2b 2adf3494daf9 gettyimages 169099122](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/7bd2ef19-697e-4702-9e2b-2adf3494daf9-gettyimages-169099122.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
For the 2013 premiere of her Coen Brothers film Inside Llewyn Davis, Mulligan selected a black-and-white Vionnet look, and accessorized with a little Justin Timberlake.
![7159f1d4 83c7 4cc3 a81d 10eb474a4b1d gettyimages 144892966](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/7159f1d4-83c7-4cc3-a81d-10eb474a4b1d-gettyimages-144892966.jpg?w=374&h=586&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
This Vivienne Westwood dress looks like it basically poured onto Kruger’s body.
![73b5a1f8 e10c 4964 b67c 2fb260cf61e2 gettyimages 99641587](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/73b5a1f8-e10c-4964-b67c-2fb260cf61e2-gettyimages-99641587.jpg?w=374&h=593&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Campbell reminded us why models are a fixture on the Cannes red carpet when she stepped out in this custom gold Roberto Cavalli halter dress back in 2010.
![e91a690a 4c70 42b4 a4c2 894c5b687b90 gettyimages 99052184](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/e91a690a-4c70-42b4-a4c2-894c5b687b90-gettyimages-99052184.jpg?w=374&h=588&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Blanchett wore an Alexander McQueen gown for the premiere of Robin Hood at the 2010 festival.
![ebb72196 4896 4abb 9706 58df5e0bdcb3 gettyimages 81177399](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/ebb72196-4896-4abb-9706-58df5e0bdcb3-gettyimages-81177399.jpg?w=374&h=561&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Models descend on Cannes every year, but few can pull off supermodel Evangelista’s statement Lanvin at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.
![3647d5f4 248d 42ee 8542 62c732f94564 gettyimages 115838867](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/3647d5f4-248d-42ee-8542-62c732f94564-gettyimages-115838867.jpg?w=374&h=575&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
While Portman’s beaded black gown was nice, the major statement of this look was the debut of her V For Vendetta buzz cut, here, at the premiere of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.
![41765936 f7b9 4881 8d77 770e917138be gettyimages 79954328](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/41765936-f7b9-4881-8d77-770e917138be-gettyimages-79954328.jpg?w=374&h=640&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Swinton walked Viktor & Rolf’s fall 2003 runway show, acting as the design duo’s muse, so it’s fitting she wore a look from the brand’s fall 2002 collection to that year’s Cannes festival.
![e02b365d 8431 4925 95fc 5b13de46c858 gettyimages 81853999](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/e02b365d-8431-4925-95fc-5b13de46c858-gettyimages-81853999.jpg?w=374&h=574&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Diaz brought the naked dress to Cannes all the way back in 2002 with the help of Versace.
![8590b52e 0f16 44fa 9c7f 133c65385282 gettyimages 2308891](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/8590b52e-0f16-44fa-9c7f-133c65385282-gettyimages-2308891.jpg?w=374&h=665&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Campbell, a fixture of the festival, attended the annual amfAr gala in a sheer, paneled gown in 2001.
![85a5e893 0b7e 47de 9b0c 8ae9eaa639ab gettyimages 78271895](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/85a5e893-0b7e-47de-9b0c-8ae9eaa639ab-gettyimages-78271895.jpg?w=374&h=573&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Per usual, Swinton stood out when she hit the red carpet, this time in a quirky fruit-printed dress by John Galliano for Dior.
![26b9320b f117 47cb 82c0 0d50f947e4ab gettyimages 2363760](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/26b9320b-f117-47cb-82c0-0d50f947e4ab-gettyimages-2363760.jpg?w=374&h=577&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Marjan Pejoski, designer of Bjork’s pink tulle gown for the 2000 festival, would go on to make the Icelandic singer her famous Swan Dress for the Oscars just a year later.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, 1999
![8c6a68b1 1210 434c adcc 88238d9f8968 gettyimages 113928555](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/8c6a68b1-1210-434c-adcc-88238d9f8968-gettyimages-113928555.jpg?w=374&h=580&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Zeta-Jones looked like the prom queen of Cannes in this pink Thierry Mugler gown with a structured bodice.
![eaeaa0a4 78f6 4475 8678 adb1a43b8dbe gettyimages 535549410](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/eaeaa0a4-78f6-4475-8678-adb1a43b8dbe-gettyimages-535549410.jpg?w=374&h=572&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Stone has some fun showing off her beaded Valentino romper with a skirt overlay at the 1995 festival.
![f8337139 b10f 4f79 8502 569e42e92495 gettyimages 146159028](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/f8337139-b10f-4f79-8502-569e42e92495-gettyimages-146159028.jpg?w=374&h=536&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
Madonna, in Jean-Paul Gaultier, with Alex Keshinian, the director of the film In Bed With Madonna, at Cannes in 1991.
![bcd9c1ff d3ed 4439 b359 11a49f44241a gettyimages 967715560](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/bcd9c1ff-d3ed-4439-b359-11a49f44241a-gettyimages-967715560.jpg?w=374&h=576&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
The legendary actress really brought the ‘80s energy in this red Nolan Miller gown with a cinched waist and some over the top shoulders.
![ba3faea3 703b 4c1d 811d 09dc19a34aad gettyimages 52105189](https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2024/4/23/ba3faea3-703b-4c1d-811d-09dc19a34aad-gettyimages-52105189.jpg?w=374&h=575&fit=crop&crop=faces&q=50&dpr=2)
All eyes were on Diana when she walked out in this baby blue, strapless Catherine Walker dress at the festival in 1987.
This article was originally published on