The Met Gala may still be circulating on social feeds, but the fashion crowd has already decamped to the South of France, where the 79th Cannes Film Festival kicked off on 12 May with a jury led by Park Chan-wook, the first Korean president in the festival's history. Joined by Demi Moore, Ruth Negga, Chloé Zhao and Stellan Skarsgård, the jury set a serious tone, but the red carpet has been anything but restrained.
The festival's first week delivered a compelling mix of archival elegance and contemporary edge. The Kering Women in Motion Awards on 17 May brought a flurry of strong tailoring and sculptural eveningwear to the Musée de la Castre, while premieres for Garance, Paper Tiger, and Full Phil drew A-list attendees in custom couture.
The Power Dressing Moments
Cate Blanchett continues to own the Croisette. The jury member appeared at the Garance premiere in Givenchy by Sarah Burton, a razor-sharp black column gown that reaffirmed her status as Cannes' most reliably dressed star. Demi Moore matched her stride for stride, switching between Gucci, Jacquemus and the avant-garde label Matières Fécales across multiple appearances, each look accessorised with museum-grade Chopard jewels.
Julianne Moore offered a masterclass in understated luxury at the Garance premiere, wearing Bottega Veneta in a silhouette that balanced ease with red-carpet gravitas. Meanwhile, Carla Bruni brought Italian glamour in Roberto Cavalli, proving the supermodel set still knows exactly what the assignment is.
A New Generation Steps Up
Bella Hadid reminded everyone why Cannes is her natural habitat, appearing at the Garance premiere in Prada accessorised with Chopard jewellery, a look that blended old-Hollywood polish with modern minimalism. Taylor Russell and Hoyeon Jung represented the new guard at the Hope premiere in Dior and Louis Vuitton respectively, while Emma Mackey continued her ascent as a red carpet name to watch in Louis Vuitton at Full Phil.
With a week still to go and films from Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz and Sebastian Stan yet to premiere, Cannes 2026 is only warming up. The bar, as always on the Croisette, is high.
