The Cannes Film Festival is known for its archaic dress code, which has become a talking point in recent years. The festival began in 1939 as a response to political interference in the Venice Film Festival and has since billed itself as Europe’s premier showcase for cinema. The rules about dressing stem from the eveningwear norms for guests at the luxury hotels and casinos in Cannes, with men expected to wear a jacket and tie and women expected to wear high heels and long dresses. Despite these strict guidelines, there have always been rule-breakers at Cannes, such as Pablo Picasso and Henry Miller.
In 1946, when the festival officially launched after World War II, the highly regulated approach to after-hours dressing was not unusual. Over the years, a new group of red carpet rebels has emerged at Cannes, each with their own unique style. These rebels have included fashion absurdists, heel-averse individuals, and even the occasional nudist, such as Cicciolina. Last year, there were even more rule-bending moments on the Cannes red carpet, such as Jennifer Lawrence wearing flip-flops with her Dior couture gown, sparking controversy.
Throughout the history of the Cannes Film Festival, there have been many memorable red carpet rule-breakers. For example, in 1986, French comedian Colouche ditched the traditional tuxedo for a playful drag moment with Beatrice Dalle. Kristen Stewart also made headlines in 2018 when she ditched her Louboutins at the premiere of “Blackkklansman” in deference to the dress code. Each decade brings a new group of rebels who are not afraid to challenge the norms of Cannes fashion.
Despite the strict dress code at Cannes, there have always been individuals who refuse to conform. Pablo Picasso and Henry Miller, for example, were known for their nonconformist styles that broke the rules of traditional eveningwear. This spirit of rebellion has continued through the years, with celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence and Kristen Stewart making their own statements on the red carpet. As the Cannes Film Festival continues to evolve, it is likely that there will be even more unexpected style moments from the festival’s attendees.
Will this year’s festival deliver even more unexpected style moments? Only time will tell. With each passing year, the Cannes Film Festival continues to be a showcase for creativity, innovation, and individuality in fashion. Despite the strict dress code, there will always be individuals who push the boundaries and challenge the norms of red carpet fashion. As the history of red carpet rule-breakers at Cannes shows, there is always room for rebellion and self-expression at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.
