As the Cannes Film Festival 2025 was unveiled in a whirlwind of glamour, innovation, artistry, and undeniable extravagance, the French Riviera once again turned into a runway of dreams. And with the world turning its eyes to the silver screen for cinematic excellence, fashion took the centre stage of the red carpet. However, this year the Croisette was a canvas for celebrated designers across the world to move the boundaries and celebrities to make lasting impressions with their sartorial selections. While some whispered elegance through their timeless nine yards, others advocated for avant-garde charm. From classic silhouettes to creative sculpted couture, Cannes 2025 was not only about what the attendees wore but also how they stood out. In this Cannes Film Festival 2025 fashion recap, we will dive into the bold looks that defined the moments and turned heads after the fading of the flashbulbs.
Iconic Looks, Bold Statements that Defined Cannes Film Festival 2025 Fashion Recap
High fashion met high drama, with celebrities turning the red carpet into a style spectacle. Ahead for the Cannes Film Festival 2025 fashion recap, we unpack the most talked-about looks and the stories behind their unmatched appeal.
Saree Spotlight
Sarees were seen to be having their major moment at the Cannes festival, blending high-fashion sophistication with cultural heritage. Draped in modern flair and sheer elegance, this iconic silhouette captivated the red-carpet audience with its graceful presence and rich textures.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a handwoven custom kadhwa Banarasi saree punctuated with lace train and long pallu. Aishwarya Rai Cannes look was further accessorised with layered ruby necklaces by Manish Malhotra Jewellery.
Aditi Rao Hydari in a classic red Raw-Mango saree, styled with a matching saree blouse and heirloom-inspired jewellery.
Alia Bhatt Cannes look in a Gucci’s saree-inspired gown exhibiting embroidered crystals created a landmark moment for the fashion house.
Shalini Passi in a custom pre-draped saree featuring whimsy frills from the shelves of Jade by Monica and Karishma.
2) Jackets Make a Striking Comeback
Redefining red carpet fashion with some edgy, classy, and sophisticated statement jackets, spotted on several celebrities. This unexpected trend brought about a fresh and modern spin to the celebration’s glamour, proving that a well-selected jacket can captivate as much as a dress.
Helena Christiansen is wearing an off-the-shoulder sequin gown styled with a feather bolero jacket.
Natasha Poonawalla opted for a Christian Dior gown reflecting delicate ruching, flattering silhouette, and sheer mesh. She paired her outfit with a Dior fur jacket.
3) Vintage Vibes
Old-world fashion was one of the most talked-about trends at the Cannes 2025, with celebrities celebrating history and elegance through their timeless pieces. From retro silhouettes to iconic combinations, this nostalgic trend married contemporary sophistication with vintage glamour.
Janhvi Kapoor in an archival YSL jacket paired with a custom Anamika Khanna skirt and accessorised with a YSL hat.
Natalie Portman in a strapless Dion gown tied with a velvet bow along the neckline, referencing the early days of Dior.
Helen Mirren in a custom Badgley Mischka gown with a floor-grazing hem, short train, and long sleeves, finished with a hat.
4) The Rise of Sculpted Gowns
Displaying impeccable craftsmanship, sculpted gowns were seen turning fabric into jaw-dropping architectural art pieces.
Taraji P. Henson in Gaurav Gupta Moonstone Celestial saree gown handmade with shimmering moonstones.
5) Embroidered Bandhgalas
Embroidered Bandhgalas on the red carpet were a cocktail of modern style and traditional artistry. With designers incorporating detailed stitching and rich patterns, each piece stood out for its exclusivity.
Ishaan Khatter in a Gaurav Gupta velvet Bordeaux Bandhgala adorned with black celtic knot embroidery work details around the sleeves and the collar.
6) Fringe Frenzy
Frills made a glorious comeback at the Cannes Film Festival, adding romantic flair and drama to the red carpet.
Dakota Johnson was seen embracing a cotton-candy layered Gucci dress, exuding charm and couture whimsy.
7) Embellished Figures Stealing the Cameras
This year, the embellishments worked double time and were not only simple accents but were the mere show-stealers. From delicate details to the full figurines of tigers and leopards that turned gowns from simple outfits to wearable art.
Milan-based model Mitchell Akat is wearing a buttoned-up-to-the-neck outfit with a leopard face protruding from her chest, designed by Harvey Cenit.
9) Embellished Corsets Lighting up the Red Carpet
If there’s one fashion trend that transformed classic silhouettes besides stealing the spotlight of the show, it was the embellished corsets. Featuring metallic accents, crystals, and intricate beadwork, these statement pieces combined contemporary edge with vintage glamour.
Eva Longoria was adorned in a dusty pink crystal embellished gown from the Tamara Ralph’s Spring 2025 Couture with an embellished corset.
9) Gloves and Scarves
Channelling vintage Hollywood glamour with a modern twist, the gloves and scarves added a touch of old-age allure.
Diana Kruger is embracing a lace column gown paired with a tulip skirt styled with a chiffon scarf and black tulle gloves.
Cara Delevingne is wearing a custom corset gown styled with sheer black opera gloves.
11) The Brooch Revival
From modern art pieces to adorning menswear, brooches made a sparkling comeback at Cannes, adding a touch of personal flair.
Karan Johar in a customised cropped sherwani styled with a shawl by Manish Malhotra showcasing frilled cuffs and brocade detailing and completed by signature brooch buttons by Manish Malhotra Jewellery.
12) Taffeta Triumphs
The taffeta emerged as a dominant fabric, gracing the red carpet of Cannes 2025 with its timeless appeal and structured elegance. With more and more celebrities seen embracing this trend, it is now safe to bet that outfits made of taffeta fabric holds the ability to create dramatic silhouettes.
Urvashi Rautela in a black silk taffeta gown by Naaja Saade Couture.
Jennifer Lawrence dolled up in a Dior strapless pleated dress made of taffeta fabric.
13) Hair Accessories That Made a Splash
Bridging the gap between style and sparkle, the hair accessories donned by different celebrities at Cannes 2025 made a statement.
Nitanshi Goel in a white pre-draped custom saree by Jade by Monica and Karishma, accessorised with a custom-made hair paranda showcasing miniature portraits of Bollywood’s leading female icons such as Nargis, Rekha, Madhubala, and Meena Kumari.
14) Interesting Sartorial Combinations that Turned Heads
Fashion took bold and unexpected risks with interesting and never-before-seen combinations. Mixing textures and styles, stars like Janhvi Kapoor created looks that truly had a major impact.
Janhvi Kapoor decked in a custom Tarun Tahiliani ensemble comprising of a corset and a tissue skirt enhanced with a signature TT drape around her head.
15) Mermaid Magic
At Cannes 2025, mermaid gowns were seen making a splash, juxtaposing high fashion with fantasy.
Alia Bhatt in a Schiaparelli off-the-shoulder bodycon gown adorned with white floral detailing and tulle train.
16) The Return of Minimalist Gowns
Cannes celebrated the elegant revival of simple gowns, proving yet again that understated beauty can never run out of time.
Mouni Roy slaying in a sleek black off-the-shoulder gown featuring intricate lace embellishments, corset-style tailoring, and bold thigh-high slit.
Khushi Kapoor in a strapless floral hand-painted floral gown by Anita Dongre.
17) Bejewelled and Embroidered Bodices
Bejewelled and embroidered bodices injected a radiant sparkle to the red carpet of the show, turning gowns into glittering masterpieces. Adorned with gem work, sequins, crystals, and traditional work involving Aari and Zardozi, these dazzling designs attracted the camera flashes and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Naomi Campbell in a black ball gown displaying a handcrafted corset made of gold filigrane enhanced by gold baroque frieze and crystals.
Janhvi Kapoor’s custom couture from Anamika Khanna's racks is distinguished by its sculpted antique gold bodice detailed with zardozi, jail, and Aari embroidery.
18) Cocooned Dresses Making Waves
The cocoon dress finds its way to Cannes this year, redefining the elegance of red carpet with its sculptural and voluminous shape.
Nitanshi Goel in a custom corseted cocooned dress by Papa Dont Preach featuring intricate embroidery work involving beads, pearls, and glass finished off with an organza OTT bow at the back.
