In a bold move to reclaim order on the red carpet, Cannes 2025 introduced strict new style rules banning sweeping trains and sheer gowns. But in true fashion-world form, some celebrities chose to ignore the memo. The result? A dazzling collision of rebellion and couture that reminded everyone why Cannes is still the most talked-about runway in the world.
Red carpet restrictions spark controversy
This year, the Cannes Film Festival’s drama wasn’t just confined to the silver screen. In an unexpected turn, the festival organizers issued new sartorial restrictions that sent ripples through the fashion and celebrity spheres. According to the updated guidelines, “voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating,” were officially banned from the Palais.
The new dress code was clearly designed to streamline the red carpet experience, likely in response to years of increasingly elaborate gowns that have blocked walkways, held up premieres, and tested the patience of security staff. But many in the industry saw it differently—as a crackdown on creativity and personal expression.
Even more surprising was the rule targeting sheer, see-through, or overly revealing gowns. Cannes has long been the stage for bold fashion statements, and “naked dresses” have become red carpet staples. From mesh bodices to translucent tulle, stars have often used the festival to push boundaries. The attempt to scale that back sparked immediate backlash—and some high-profile resistance.
When fashion rules are made to be broken
Of course, rules exist to be broken—especially on red carpets. And this year, several boldface names proved they weren’t about to let a fine-print update in the festival’s dress code cramp their style. From dramatic trains to daring transparency, these fashion rebels reminded us why Cannes remains a place where fashion and spectacle collide.
Among the first to make headlines was Anya Taylor-Joy, who arrived in a champagne-colored Dior Haute Couture gown with a train so dramatic it required two attendants. Though the look may have technically breached protocol, it was instantly hailed as one of the most breathtaking moments of the festival. Her stylists defended the choice as “a homage to old Hollywood glamour”—and clearly, Taylor-Joy wasn’t the only one channeling that energy.
Bella Hadid also stepped out in a sheer, second-skin Atelier Versace creation that clung to her silhouette and left little to the imagination. Delicately embroidered and strategically opaque, the dress toed the line between provocative and tasteful. It was a masterclass in playing with the rules while still owning the spotlight.
Trains that turned heads
Despite the ban, several stars opted for gowns with unapologetically long trains—and none more spectacular than Fan Bingbing. The Chinese actress and red carpet queen wore a custom Tony Ward Couture gown featuring a printed emerald train that fanned out behind her like a painting in motion. The drama of the look stood in direct opposition to the new restrictions, and the internet responded with raves.
Similarly, Winnie Harlow walked the steps in a bold feathered gown by Jean-Louis Sabaji, complete with an exaggerated hemline that swept across the stairs in vivid plumage. It may have caused a brief traffic jam, but it certainly delivered on fashion fantasy. And isn’t that what Cannes is all about?
These moments weren’t just sartorial flexes—they were subtle statements of resistance. For many attendees, the train is more than just a fabric extension; it’s an emblem of status, spectacle, and timeless glamour. To leave it behind would be to dilute what makes Cannes fashion so iconic.
See-through and unapologetic
The crackdown on sheer dresses didn’t deter everyone either. If anything, it seemed to invite more strategic subversion. Demi Moore, back in the spotlight and arguably looking better than ever, stunned in a sheer Fendi dress with metallic appliqués that cleverly obscured and revealed all the right places. It was daring, elegant, and unmistakably Cannes.
Hunter Schafer, ever the style trailblazer, opted for a custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown made almost entirely of crystal netting, worn over a nude bodysuit. The result? A look that was both futuristic and classically sensual—disruptive, yet elevated. While the rules may have frowned on “nudity,” these stars embraced a more conceptual kind of exposure that made it nearly impossible to define where fashion ended and performance began.
A fashion rebellion with purpose
The pushback wasn’t just aesthetic—it was philosophical. For many, Cannes has long symbolized a kind of cinematic and sartorial freedom. By enforcing stricter wardrobe guidelines, critics argued, the festival risked muting the creativity that defines it. The stars who broke the rules didn’t just do so for the attention—they did it to remind the world that fashion is an art form meant to provoke, inspire, and occasionally disrupt.
Indeed, the tension between order and opulence, regulation and rebellion, has always been part of the red carpet’s appeal. And in a year when those dynamics were put to the test, the fashion risk-takers became the true headliners.
As always, Cannes 2025 gave us gowns worth remembering. But more importantly, it gave us a conversation—about expression, elegance, and the enduring power of a train that dares to sweep the rules aside.
