Cannes’ sexist new rules are the best thing to happen to the red carpet
Aren’t we all over the naked dress by now? It’s high time to substitute shock tactics and paparazzi bait for real red carpet style.
As we all breathe a sigh of relief that no one (read: Kim Kardashian) destroyed the Met Gala red carpet coverage with media-baiting hijinks this year, it’s time to dive into yet another fashion controversy that has found its way into the news cycle.
As someone who has covered both fashion and beauty at Cannes Film Festival, I personally think it’s wildly underrated as a major annual red carpet moment when compared with the Met, The Oscars, et al. Year after year I see some of the best looks to sashay down the crimson carpet hit the French Riviera’s laid-back film premieres, but there’s one trend I just can’t get on board with: dressing for headlines, or perhaps even more annoyingly, social media virality.
So when Cannes announced - in fine French, idgaf style just 24 hours before the event kicked off - that they would be banning ‘nudity’ and ‘voluminous outfits, particularly those with a large train’ on the red carpet this year, in an effort to up the ‘decency’ factor, I responded with a sigh of relief. But before I dive into the reasons behind my quiet clapping of the controversial new rules, here’s their official statement from the FAQs section of the festival website:
“For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival. Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theatre are not permitted. The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.”
It was an announcement that caught now-sweating stylists and celebs off guard; reportedly 2025 jury member Halle Berry had to ‘pivot’ after her Guarav Gupta dress, featuring a large train, was nixed at the last minute - although she did admit she thought the no-nudity rule this year was “a good rule”. One can only assume Heidi Klum, on the other hand, had no alternative as she ignored the rules and took this pink, ruffled monstrosity down the carpet overnight:
Apparently the ‘obligation’ to prohibit anyone not respecting the rules doesn’t extend to Klum.
But to be honest, this is all in the spirit of the classic Cannes playbook. In 2015, they famously banned flat shoes for women - a rule Julia Roberts flouted in 2016, attending a red carpet barefoot, and Kristen Stewart again highlighted in 2018 by kicking off her heels on the red carpet. Now, the rules state you can wear elegant shoes ‘with or without a heel’.
Yes, their rules seem to be disproportionately applied to women. Yes, you could interpret the ban of nudity this year as an adherence to an increased climate of conservatism sweeping the world - poignantly pointed out by Shahed Ezaydi in Stylist this week as a ‘lose-lose situation’ in the context of France’s anti-hijab laws:
“So, a woman dressing modestly and covering her head for religious reasons is not allowed and a woman in a sheer dress is also seen as ‘indecent’. You need to dress conservatively but not too conservatively.”
But here’s the thing: men aren’t allowed to ‘naked’ dress on the Cannes red carpet either - so I would argue this isn’t a double standard. (Although we would love to see it. What a commentary on sexist standards that would be!) And let’s be honest - haven’t we seen enough of the naked dresses of late? Does it shock anymore? Isn’t it all just for attention anyway? And hasn’t Bianca Censori already delivered the final boss of naked dressing?
When we look at the celebrities who have worn sheer dresses on the Cannes red carpet from the past few years, none of them have actually starred in the films that were premiering (Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk, Natasha Poly, Kendall Jenner, Irina Shayk again, Bella Hadid again, Bella Hadid for a third time). Does it matter if Bella Hadid can’t get her baps out whilst attending a movie premiere that should shine a light on the actual talent attending?
Red carpets have sadly descended into mammoth marketing campaigns of late; commercial events that manufacture media ‘moments’ for the sake of social media virality over art, style or even genuine expression. If the removal of naked dresses and ridiculous trains allows for more genuine fashion moments, I’m all for it. After all, I would say Bella’s look this year was her best yet - and, thankfully, just as sexy as ever.
In the end, Cannes’ latest controversial and sexist sartorial rule will fade into the background, just as the flat shoes ban did. Perhaps, just like those naked dresses, they were aiming for a touch of virality too.
Bianca O’Neill is a Melbourne-based freelance journalist and writer. You can follow her on Instagram for more fashion and culture coverage at @bianca.oneill.