Cannes 2025, Celebrities Who Stole The Spotlight and Those Who Missed The Mark

3 , 2, 1... Action! The red carpet has officially been rolled out for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival—and with it, the most stylish showdown of the year begins. Each year, this iconic fusion of fashion and film in the South of France becomes the benchmark for red carpet glamour.

Just a day before the grand opening, the festival organizers made a bold move: introducing new red carpet rules that ban both excessive nudity and voluminous gowns with dramatic trains. That’s right, the era of the ‘naked dress’ and those ca n’t-walk-can’t-breathe ballgowns seems to be behind us. The decision reportedly stems from increasing red carpet controversies, including Bianca Censori’s barely-there Grammys look earlier this year, and those endless trains that needed a 5-person entourage and blocked photo ops.

But don’t worry, the Cannes Film Festival 2025 still promises major fashion moments. And over the next two weeks, The Style List will be your front-row ticket to all the glamour, drama, and cinematic flair of the 78th annual festival.

Aditi Rao Hydari in Raw Mango and Rahul Mishra

Aditi Rao Hydari left us completely mesmerised with not one, but two unforgettable looks at Cannes 2025. By day, she embraced classic elegance in a rich red Raw Mango sari. The bold yet timeless Sultanah sari, crafted from pure silk, stood out for its smooth texture, radiant sheen, and luxurious feel, reminding us why Aditi continues to be the ultimate desi style icon.

As night fell, she transformed into a vision of modern glamour in a sparkling Rahul Mishra gown. The off-shoulder black and silver creation was intricately embellished with beads and tassels, bringing just the right amount of shimmer to the red carpet. She completed the look with delicate diamond jewellery, adding grace without overwhelming the drama. Two looks, one queen, and a reminder that Aditi Rao Hydari truly knows how to do Cannes her way.

Janhvi Kapoor in Tarun Tahilani and Dior

Making her much-anticipated Cannes debut, Janhvi Kapoor captivated with two strikingly different looks. Her first appearance was a contemporary spin on the saree by veteran designer Tarun Tahiliani. Drenched in a metallic blush pink, the drape was both modern and graceful. She styled it with layers of pearl strings and kept the accessories minimal, letting the elegance of the ensemble shine through.

For her second look, Janhvi stepped into fashion history, channelling vintage YSL. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, the ensemble paid homage to the iconic Yves Saint Laurent era. The striking look featured a sculptural saucer hat from YSL Rive Gauche, 1987, and a velvet jacket from 1989. A breezy silk chiffon skirt echoed the poetic romance of Yves' late-’80s aesthetic. Finishing the look were radiant yellow diamonds from Chopard, adding just the right touch of opulence.

Alia Bhatt in Schiaparelli and Gucci

Eva Longoria in Tamara Ralph

Eva Longoria continues her red carpet reign, dazzling in a sculpted gold and black ensemble by Tamara Ralph. Complete with a statement velvet bow and sweeping train, the look struck the perfect balance between drama and elegance. A strong contender for best-dressed already!

Eva Longoria, another Elie Saab loyalist, lit up the red carpet once again—this time in a shimmering green gown paired effortlessly with emerald and diamond earrings. Featuring a timeless halter neckline and an elegant sweeping train, the look cemented her status as one of the most consistently graceful dressers at Cannes.

While others may have stumbled with chaotic colours and kitschy looks on the red carpet, Eva Longoria nailed it in a striking rainbow ensemble by Zuhair Murad. Sleek, bold, and unapologetically eclectic, her strapless tube dress from the Zuhair Murad Couture Spring 2025 collection featured vibrant multicoloured beading, a sculpted bodice, and a daring central cutout, making it a true showstopper.

Heidi Klum in Elie Saab

Though voluminous silhouettes may be off the official guidelines, Heidi Klum managed to toe the line perfectly. Her Elie Saab number, adorned with delicate 3-D florals and a graceful train, was romantic, fresh and attention-grabbing in all the right ways.

Proving her unwavering love for the designer, Heidi Klum turned heads on Day 3 of Cannes 2025 in a fully embroidered mermaid gown from Riyadh’s ‘The 1001 Seasons of ELIE SAAB’ collection. The look was all about opulence, texture and drama, quintessentially Elie Saab, and unmistakably Klum.

Bella Hadid in YSL

Bella Hadid graced the red carpet with a new blonde look in a sleek black Saint Laurent gown. Featuring a thigh-high slit, she looked effortlessly chic, but we were hoping for more drama and flair that such a red carpet appearance truly deserves. Gorgeous, but not groundbreaking.

Urvashi Rautela

When it comes to the stars who missed the mark, Urvashi Rautela unfortunately tops the list. Her OTT ensemble was a reminder that when kitsch isn’t kept in check, it can quickly turn into a royal fashion faux pas. And that parrot-shaped Judith Leiber clutch? Hard to miss, but hard to love. Overall, the look felt like it was a riot of colours, confusion, and a little too much chaos of everything on the red carpet.

Ariana Greenblatt in Louis Vuitton

Ariana Greenblatt made her second Cannes appearance count with a far bolder choice than her debut. For the Eddington premiere, she wore a custom dark emerald green Louis Vuitton gown in silk duchesse. The sculpted bustier and pleated voluminous skirt created a dramatic, structured silhouette, and no train was necessary to catch eyeballs. While some may argue the dress wore her, we think she owned the moment with confidence and charm. A breakout red carpet moment, no doubt.

Emma Stone In Louis Vuitton

Ahead of her upcoming film Eddington, Emma Stone graced the red carpet in a pristine sculptural Louis Vuitton gown, paired with sparkling jewels. A house ambassador since 2017, Stone wore a sleek design featuring a silk satin asymmetrical bib with topstitch detailing, lending the ensemble just the right amount of drama. Keeping her accessories minimal, she chose the ‘Seduction’ earrings from Louis Vuitton's High Jewellery collection, Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds. Our take? Elegant, undoubtedly, but we wouldn’t mind a touch more red carpet flair.

Kristen Stewart in Chanel

When it comes to breaking the mould, Kristen Stewart never fails to deliver. She walked the Cannes red carpet with characteristic edge in a white satin Chanel short suit. Did it meet the official dress code? Technically, yes. But was it truly red carpet material? We’re not entirely convinced. That said, the moment held significance beyond fashion, Stewart made her Cannes debut not as an actress, but as a director.

Earlier in the day, she attended her film's photocall in a look from Chanel’s Fall 2025 collection: a bubblegum pink tweed top featuring a sheer ruffled overlay. Feminine, delicate, and subtly playful, it was a standout look we thoroughly admired.

Philippine Leroy Beaulieu in Schiparelli

On the red carpet, Sylvie showed off her fashion chops in an eclectic Schiaparelli creation. Bold, unconventional, and unapologetically avant-garde, her look didn’t need accessories to speak volumes. She embraced eccentric couture with ease, and we were completely captivated.

Julia Garner in Tom Ford

Julia Garner’s Tom Ford look, however, fell short of the mark. Channelling vintage 1920s glamour with a modern edge, the lilac fringe dress by Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford felt underwhelming for the Cannes stage. While the slicked-back hair and moody lips brought a bold twist, we couldn’t help but wish for a more couture-forward moment. The drama was there, but the magic was missing.

Angelina Jolie in Brunello Cucinelli

Angelina Jolie, ever the icon, appeared in a soft nude embellished gown by Brunello Cucinelli. Did she look stunning? Absolutely. But compared to the sartorial risks others embraced this year, Jolie’s look felt overly safe. A touch of statement jewellery might have elevated the ensemble, but as it stood, it lacked that Cannes-level wow factor.

Natalie Portman in Dior

One star who effortlessly combined red carpet elegance with historical fashion homage was Natalie Portman. The Dior Beauty ambassador lit up the evening in a couture Dior gown inspired by the fashion house’s 1951 ‘Mexico’ design. Adorned with silver sequinned petals and finished with a vintage bow detail, the gown exuded timeless grace. Complemented by Tiffany & Co. diamonds, including a 10-carat necklace, Portman reimagined Dior’s original gold and black design into a starlit silver fantasy. The gown took 700 hours to complete, 450 of which were spent hand-embroidering the skirt at Atelier Safrane. As expected, she’s once again a standout on the best-dressed list.

Alessandra Ambrosio in Zuhair Murad

Now that’s how to make an entrance! Alessandra Ambrosio stunned in an emerald green Zuhair Murad gown, paired with a striking diamond and sapphire necklace. The dramatic ruffled sleeves and thigh-high slit gave the look a powerful edge, while her nude makeup and high ponytail kept things effortlessly glam.

Irina Shayk in Giorgio Armani

Polka dots and a voluminous skirt on the Cannes red carpet? A tricky combo. Irina Shayk’s Giorgio Armani look certainly turned heads, but it lacked the impact we expect from her. Stylish, yes, but perhaps a touch too safe for the occasion.

In yet another appearance, she proved her sartorial prowess with a custom black Elie Saab gown adorned with 3D floral appliqué. With an off-shoulder neckline, dramatic mermaid silhouette, and a train that demanded attention, the ensemble exuded classic glamour. A bold red lip added the perfect touch of vintage allure.

Farhana Bodi in custom Atelier Zuhra

Dubai Bling star Farhana Bodi brought unapologetic femininity and flair to the red carpet in a custom blush-pink creation by Atelier Zuhra. With an asymmetrical silhouette and sculptural ruffles, the look was bold, architectural, and very on-brand for the social media star.

Julia Garner in custom Gucci

Julia Garner made a striking entrance at Cannes in a custom Gucci gown that balanced elegance with edge. The sheer ruched overlay flowed into a dramatic—but—rule—abiding—train, while a sequined embroidered lining added structure and shimmer. The layered textures played beautifully under the lights, creating dimension without going overboard. Finishing touches like black leather heels, chandelier earrings, and her signature bleach-blonde hair elevated the look, proving she knows exactly how to own a red carpet.

Jacqueline Fernandez in Nicole + Felicia

Turning up the heat in red, corsetry and statement sleeves— the Cannes 2025’s unofficial dress code—Jacqueline Fernandez stunned in a dramatic Nicole + Felicia ensemble. Following her eye-catching appearance in AK|OK by Anamika Khanna, this crimson creation brought oodles of glamour to the closing moments of the night. The corseted bodice sculpted her silhouette beautifully, while the mermaid-style train struck the perfect length. A bold diamond necklace with a central yellow diamond was the ideal finishing touch. A total showstopper and full marks from us.

Isabeli Fontana in custom Nicolas Jebran

Isabeli Fontana was a vision of power and polish in her custom Nicolas Jebran gown on the Cannes red carpet. The sculpted silhouette in muted pink-beige felt anything but quiet, thanks to a bold, brooch-like shoulder detail that gave the look instant drama. A sharp thigh-high slit added movement and sensuality, while a glint of emerald peeking through the fabric gave the whole moment a jolt of unexpected glamour. This was high fashion with bite, undeniably a hit.

Nitanshi Goel in Jade

Fresh off the buzz of Nancy Tyagi’s Cannes debut last year, 17-year-old Indian actor Nitanshi Goel made her red carpet debut in a bespoke Jade ensemble that felt straight out of a fairytale. Her black gown, with sheer gold detailing, took cues from the robe à la française silhouette, crafted with Jade’s signature kasab embroidery, delicate macramé accents, and a subtle shimmer evoking spring florals under moonlight. Romantic, ethereal and exquisitely detailed, it was a vision of handcrafted elegance.

Halle Berry in Celia Kritharioti

Halle Berry brought another memorable moment to Cannes in a striking black-and-pink ensemble. The standout element? A voluminous balloon skirt that redefined proportion play. The sharp contrast and contemporary silhouette showed us a new, refreshing way to embrace volume,and we’re here for it.

Berry wasn’t done turning heads. In a second red-hot appearance, she stepped out in a bold Giambattista Valli couture gown. With a plunging neckline, peplum-style waist and mermaid finish, the gown made one thing clear: volume is very much alive on the Cannes red carpet.

Diane Kruger In Prada

Diane Kruger effortlessly blended mermaidcore with Old Hollywood glamour in a stunning Prada gown, and we’re completely on board. The sheer, sequin-embellished dress not only turned heads but also cleverly stayed within Cannes’ new dress code. Graceful and glittering, she looked every bit the dream.

Masoom Minawala in Arpita Mehta

Leading the pack of content creators who brought their A-game to Cannes 2025, Masoom Minawala stood out in true regal fashion. Radiating opulence with a seamless blend of tradition and modernity, she chose a custom strapless gown by Indian designer Arpita Mehta.Adorned with intricate mirror work, the muted beige and gold ensemble stayed well within the new dress code while still exuding vintage charm and timeless glamour. For us, this one’s an absolute winner.

Veena Praveenar Singh

Indian-Thai model Veena Praveenar Singh brought a metallic edge to the festivities in a dramatic Michael Cinco couture number dubbed the black liquid gazar gown. Featuring structured sleeveless straps, a corseted bodice, and a layered voluminous skirt, the ensemble was equal parts architectural and sensual. Her slicked-back bun, winged eyeliner and glowing skin completed the look, adding cinematic intensity to her moment in the spotlight.