Nipples and unruly dresses are out in Cannes.
Ahead of the start of the 2025 edition, the Cannes Film Festival has issued an updated red carpet dress code that effectively bans full nudity and “voluminous” ensembles. “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 theater are not permitted,” per the festival on its official charter. “The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.”
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to the Cannes press office for additional comment and a festival rep confirms that the charter was just updated to reflect “certain rules that have long been in effect.” The goal of the update is “not to regulate attire per se but to prohibit full nudity on the carpet” in accordance with the institutional framework of the festival as well as French law, per the Cannes rep.
Amid the sheer dress explosion, there have been many nipple-baring ensembles worn at Cannes in recent years by stars like Elle Fanning, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, among many others. In 2022, a topless woman was escorted off the red carpet after she removed her dress in a pro-Ukraine protest. It’s not immediately clear if there was one specific instance that led officials to update the charter though red carpet nudity has become more a hot topic of conversation in the wake of a stunt pulled by Kanye West and wife Bianca Censori at the Grammys that found her posing for photographers in a transparent sheath dress that effectively saw her posing nude. (As for the voluminous part, it’s hard not to think of what Tems wore to the Oscars in 2023, a cloud-like white gown that obstructed the view of guests behind her in the Dolby Theatre.)
Cannes security officials have notoriously been strict when it comes to dress codes at the Palais, specifically for screenings at the glamorous Grand Théâtre Lumière which routinely hosts the auteur and A-list-packed world premieres. Black tie and evening wear is required for those screenings — held in the nighttime from 7-10 p.m. — and guidance suggests options like tuxedos and long dresses or “little black dress, cocktail dress, dark-colored pantsuit, a dressy top with black pants; elegant shoes and sandals with or without a heel; a black or navy-blue suit with bow-tie or dark-colored tie. Tote-bags, backpacks or large bags are prohibited.”
Controversy ensued a decade ago when multiple female attendees were turned away at the Palais for not wearing heels ahead of a screening of the Cate Blanchett-starrer Carol. Movie stars like Emily Blunt, who was in town for Sicario, called the situation “very disappointing” leading others to show their dissatisfaction with the unwritten rule which was relaxed over the course of the 2015 festival. Longtime festival chief Thierry Fremaux downplayed the fracas by calling it an unfounded rumor.
Still, Fremaux has worked tirelessly to maintain the integrity of the festival by focusing some of those efforts on the look, feel and vibe of the red carpet. The festival banned selfies in 2015 (with Fremaux calling the practice “ridiculous and grotesque”) and security officials have always acted swiftly to remove protestors or anyone attempting to cause a scene for personal benefit.
The new ban on nudity and voluminous outfits aligns with such codes but it begs two questions: How strictly will the dress code be enforced and will A-list stars and/or models be booted for flouting the rules? While “elegant shoes” are required, mega-stars Julia Roberts and Kristen Stewart have both removed their heels to glide up the Palais steps barefoot.
Furthermore, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see relaxed rules for guests representing any of the festival’s partners from brands like Chopard, L’Oreal and Kering. Some bold-faced name ambassadors from the aforementioned brands have been known to turn up at the Palais in voluminous or sheer ensembles. That means more eyes that normal will be watching the red carpet and what wild antics ensue during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 13-24.
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