Lights, cameras, action!
The 79th Cannes Film Festival wrapped up on May 23 after bringing the very best of auteur cinema and global film to La Croisette. Beyond its industry relevance and standing as a space to celebrate visual arts, the revered film festival is one of fashion’s greatest stages. Last year alone, the event generated $1.1 billion in Media Impact Value for fashion, jewelry and accessories brands within just 48 hours, with red carpet moments leading brand performance.
On the famous montée des marches (the iconic red carpet ascent) at the Palais des Festivals and nearby theaters, actors, filmmakers, music stars and anyone who scored an invite to film premieres delivered the best of their style repertoire for the cameras.
This year, the two-week program kicked off on May 12 with an opening ceremony and the screening of Pierre Salvadori’s La Vénus Electrique (The Electric Venus). In attendance were cinema and entertainment legends from across fields and nationalities, including jury members Demi Moore, Chloe Zhao and Park Chan-wook, as well as Cannes fixtures such as Hande Erçel, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu and F1 driver Carlos Sainz.
The closing ceremony was no less attention-worthy, reuniting cinema icons across the plannet, from the cast of the Palme d’Or winning Fjord to jury members and A-list guests.
Below, No Manners’ editorial team recaps the most buzz-worthy looks at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. To close the two-week event, don’t forget to rate your favorite looks and return at the end of May to discover our readers’ best-rated moments at the festival.
Adriana Paz
Who: Mexican actor Adriana Paz, who touched down in Cannes to promote her film Ceniza en la boca (Ashes), directed by Diego Luna. You probably recognize her from her role in the award-winning Emilia Pérez.
In this list for: Spotlighting Mexican talent with various looks by Ecuadorian-Mexican designer Neithan Herbert, including a black halter dress that stole glances at the festival’s opening ceremony.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Who: Cannes’ statement-making queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The actress is an industry institution in India and over the years has become one of the most anticipated names on the Cannes red carpets.
In this list for: Nailing big fashion statements with ease and confidence. Rai Bachchan commanded attention with every single look in her style repertoire, from an electric blue gown at The Birthday Party screening to a pink caped dress at the L’Oreal Lights On Women’s Worth Dinner.
Alia Bhatt
Who: British-Indian actor Alia Bhatt, recognized for films such as Raazi and Gully Boy. She is a Cannes fixture and attends as a global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris.
In this list for: Nodding to her heritage with breathtaking ensembles. At the opening ceremony, Bhatt wore a peach Tamara Ralph gown with a sheer dupatta and a necklace by the Jaipur-based Amrapali Jewels. She has also brought Indian talent to the global stage, wearing a stunning custom saree by Tarun Tahiliani.
Araya Hargate
Who: Thai actor Araya Hargate, whose recurrent appearances at the film festival have earned her the title of “Unchallenged Matriarch of Asian Fashion” at Cannes. The star is a fixture at the event since the 2010s and, in recent years, attends as a L’Oréal Paris VIP.
In this list for: Her various style statements, from the ornate black gowns to the lavish jewelry pieces she has sported on and off the red carpet. Shoutout to her appearance at the La Vie D’Une Femme screening, where she wore an Armani Privé gown, accessorized with ornate jewelry by Boucheron.
BamBam
Who: Thai singer and star of the upcoming film, The Confession of Shaman, BamBam. The multifaceted star saw his beginnings as a member of K-pop group GOT7, but has successfully branched out as a solo artist and actor, recognized globally for his multicultural work and relationship to various luxury brands including Louis Vuitton.
In this list for: Mastering the retro-infused flare suit at the Karma screening. BamBam kept things classy and minimal, but offered a fun spin to basic menswear, wearing a Louis Vuitton ensemble that nodded to the ‘70s obsession with evasée pants.
Bella Hadid
Who: US-Palestinian model Bella Hadid. Over the years, Hadid has carved a reputation as one of the style queens at the festival, which she attends as official partner Chopard’s global ambassador.
In this list for: Her perfectly curated wardrobe, which spanned sleek vintage finds, tributes to cinema icons and homages to her Palestinian roots. Hadid wore brands across the fashion spectrum, from a minimalist Prada dress at the Garance screening to an all-black Tom Ford ensemble accessorized with a key necklace by Dima Jewellery, symbolizing the right of return of Palestinian families who lost their homes in the 1948 Nakba.
Chloé Zhao
Photo courtesy of Schiaparelli.
Courtesy of Dior
Who: Academy Award-winning director and 79th Cannes Film Festival jury member Chloé Zhao, who you might recognize for films such as Nomadland, Eternals and Hamnet.
In this list: For reinventing Cannes dressing with a contemporary, eclectic and experimental gaze. Zhao embraced pared-down luxury, unconventional couture and soft tailoring with the same confidence, donning looks by, among others, Bottega Veneta, Prada and Dior across the two-week calendar. One of the standout looks was the Isabella Blowfish set from Schiaparelli’s Haute Couture collection, a sculptural ensemble featuring transparent textiles and heavily adorned with crystals and 3D details reminiscent of blowfish spikes.
Demet Özdemir
Who: Turkish actor Demet Özdemir, one of Turkey’s most prominent multihyphenates. Özdemir began her career in entertainment as a dancer and earned prominence as an actor in productions such as Adım Farah and Erkenci Kuş.
In this list for: Making a case for the most showstopping backless dresses during her Cannes stay. Özdemir hit La Croisette dressed in a floor-length gown with a cutout back to attend the La Vie D’Une Femme screening. The white piece was layered under a feather cape, bringing summer-ready glamour to the red carpet. The actress later rocked a pared-down version of the backless look, wearing a black column dress.
Demi Moore
Who: US actor and feature films jury member Demi Moore.
In this list for: Turning all eyes on her at every opportunity. At the festival’s inaugural ceremony, Moore stunned in a glitzy peplum dress by Jacquemus and exquisite diamonds by Chopard. Moore has also made style statements with a multicolored polka dress from Jacquemus and looks by Gucci, including a body-hugging lavender gown and a red sculptural piece.
Diego Céspedes
Who: Chilean filmmaker Diego Céspedes, winner of the Un Certain Regard Prize at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and jury member in this year’s edition.
In this list for: Putting a youthful spin on jury duty style. The director wore a sleek boxy suit to the opening ceremony and represented Chilean fashion at the festival’s first photo-call, dressed in an asymmetric cashmere suit by independent brand Palosanto. Throughout the two-week event, Céspedes also embraced contemporary suiting and elegant jewelry by Chopard.
Gemini Norawit
Who: Thai singer and actor Gemini, who joined L’Oréal Paris in celebrating the festival as a Brand Ambassador.
In this list for: Nailing black tie elegance and off-duty streetwear. Upon his arrival, Gemini was pictured in a laid-back outfit comprising an Acne Studios tee and acid-wash jeans. He was later spotted in multiple casual looks that combined preppy influences with summer-ready style. For the red carpet, the young Thai star changed directions for a polished black suit. Complete with a black bowtie and Chanel high jewelry “Plume” brooch, Gemini channeled the sleek glamour of Cannes.
Hande Erçel
Photo courtesy of Hande Erçel on Instagram
Who: Screen darling Hande Erçel, who has earned global recognition through dramas such as Sen Çal Kapımı andAşk Laftan Anlamaz, among others. Erçel is a Cannes regular and returns to the festival for the third consecutive year as a Pomellato VIP.
In this list for: Singlehandedly putting the multicolored jewelry trend on the map at international red carpets. To catch a screening of La Vie D’Une Femme, the Turkish superstar wore a gold column dress and took things to the next level with a rainbow-colored necklace featuring a slew of bright (and ultra-valuable) gemstones. Erçel later donned a finely curated selection of column dresses, further consolidating her status as a global style icon.
He Chang Xi
Who: Sammy’s Children’s Day star He Chang Xi. The Chinese singer and actor initially launched his career as a member of the group UNINE but has successfully transitioned into acting through productions such as Lock Her and Blend Feelings.
In this list for: Mastering the art of monochrome dressing with sleek, tailored looks. At the screening of L’Abandon (Forsaken), the actor ditched the classic tuxedo for a white suit with lapel embroideries and a shawl draped over the shoulder. He continued to sport monochrome suiting throughout his stay in Cannes.
He Yan Zhao
Who: Chinese actor He Yan Zhao, who has starred in dramas such as Gentle Wind, Fei Hu Cheng Feng and most notably, the BL phenomenon Sammy’s Children’s Day.
In this list for: Reinventing classic menswear with subtle spins. To attend the L’Abandon (Forsaken) red carpet, the Sammy’s Children’s Day star suited up in a modern tailored ensemble featuring relaxed-fit pants and a jacket with side belt-fastening. The actor topped things off with a statement floral brooch. At other public appearances, the star and his co-star continued to play with contrasts, opting for contrasting suits that channeled Ying & Yang dynamics.
Keng Harit
Who: Thailand’s breakout star Keng Harit, who rose to international acclaim with his leading role in Khemjira the Series and has quickly become a name to know among a new class of Thai actors.
In this list for: Exuding elegance on his first-ever Cannes appearance, walking the red carpet of Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s El Ser Querido. For the occasion, the Khemjira star donned an Ami suit, paired with a modern scarf-collar chemise. Styled with a luxurious caterpillar brooch and a timepiece by Chopard, the actor’s look checked all the boxes of an impactful Cannes red-carpet debut.
Mike Angelo
Who: Legendary Thai pop star Pirat Nitipaisalkul, aka. Mike Angelo, singer, model and actor, who started his career as a member of the musical duo Golf & Mike. The actor is in Cannes to participate in the China Night co-organized by the Cannes International Film Festival Committee.
In this list for: His rulebook take on the tuxedo, opting for an ensemble by Boss, accessorized with all the must-haves, including the cummerbund, bow tie, patent leather shoes and an elegant timepiece by Chopard.
Rebecca Patricia Armstrong
Who: Rebecca Patricia Armstrong aka. Becky. The singer and actor is one of Thailand’s most prominent faces in entertainment and fashion, and has been a regular at the film festival for various consecutive years, attending as a Thai industry representative and L’Oréal ambassador
In this list for: Making a grand fashion statement on the Karma red carpet, dressed in a sculptural dress by Sophie Couture, which she paired with jewelry by Thai Princess Sirivannavari’s brand. Becky also showcased her ability to deliver occasion-appropriate style with her polished off-duty looks and monochrome ensemble at the Women In Motion dinner.
Sanam Saeed
Who: Pakistani trailblazer Sanam Saeed, who made her Cannes red carpet debut this year as the first honoree of the “South Asian Women Excellence in Cinema & Arts” initiative by US Studios.
In this list for: Unapologetically celebrating Pakistani talent and culture with looks crafted by national artisans and brands. For the Sheep In The Box screening, Saeed wore a peacock-inspired gown that required 2345 hours of work by 50 artisans, paired with a statement floral hairstyle. Saeed continued to flaunt her heritage on her following appearances, wearing an ornate sherwani and a green saari by Pakistani designer Hussain Rehar.
Shuzo Ohira
Who: Japanese model and actor Shuzo Ohira, who is a regular at every relevant fashion event and red carpet worldwide.
In this list for: Modernizing the menswear code at Cannes with chic contemporary tailoring and youthful takes on suiting. At the La Bataille De Gaulle: L’Âge De Fer screening, Ohira opted for a three-piece suit with a cropped jacket and wide-legged pants. Meanwhile, at the amfAR Gala, the star went with a Louis Vuitton ensemble featuring a band collar jacket and flared pants, proving that menswear can be dynamic and elegant at the same time.
Win Metawin
Who: Style and screen darling Win Metawin, whose stacked resumé spans acting, singing, modeling and various businesses. Win is recognized in style circles for his association with luxury brands such as Prada and Tiffany & Co. This year, the actor makes his Cannes debut as a guest of the premium coffee system, Nespresso.
In this list for: Effortlessly gliding between styles as the occasion mandates. Off-duty, the singer has flaunted colorful outfits suited for a stroll down Promenade de la Croisette and made a case for all-black getups. Meanwhile, on the red carpet, he has suited up in luxurious tailoring and embraced the rise of rainbow jewelry, wearing bright-toned Tiffany & Co. jewels.
Zhang Yixing
Who: Actor, singer, and entrepreneur Zhang Yixing, also known as Lay, who first came into the spotlight as a member of the K-pop group EXO. The multihyphenate is currently one of China’s top stars and has touched down in Cannes to attend China Night as a Global Communication Ambassador.
In this list for: Updating the menswear playbook with a color combination that once upon a time was considered a fashion faux pas (black and brown), but has found popularity as a stylish option among new-gen A-listers.
Yoona
Who: South Korean singer and actress Yoona, who first rose to fame as a member of the K-pop group SNSD. Yoona is a Cannes fixture, attending as a guest of the Kering-owned jeweler Qeelin
In this list for: Gracing the Garance red carpet and Women in Motion dinner, dressed in stunning strapless gowns that prove classic silhouettes and colors will never go out of style.
