EMMA JOHNSON
FLIPPING THE NARRATVE ON THE RED CARPET
Is it just me or does this year’s Cannes Film Festival seem to have gone on forever?
Forgive me if you have much better things to do than pay attention to a load of luvvies swanning around in fancy frocks on the south of France.
Now in its 76th year, the event is widely regarded as the most glamorous film festival in the world. It is a place to see and be seen and many a starlet has launched their career by being papped on its famous Promenade de la Croisette.
And this year we have seen more of the stars than ever before. Although, given how many former TV presenters, Love Island contestants and ‘influencers’ cropped up in Cannes this year, I am using that term loosely.
I am not sure what the official dress code is for the festival – if there is one – but more than a few of the attendees appeared to be taking an ‘undress to impress’ approach.
Far be it for me to criticise what any woman wears on the red carpet. But some of them were barely wearing anything at all. I haven’t seen so much flesh on show since the 90s.
At least one of the ‘gowns’ I couldn’t print in a family newspaper.
That said there was still some fabulous fashion to enjoy. Proving that at 53, she is still the most super of supermodels, Naomi Campbell treated us to one breathtaking look after another. The sparkling Celine gown she chose for the opening night was one of my favourites.
And who but Naomi could get away with those sunglasses?
On the subject of models, Rosie Huntington-whiteley, 36, continued her run of red carpet hits. The Grecian-inspired Fendi couture gown she chose for the premiere of sci-fi caper Asteroid City was old Hollywood glam at its finest. She also adopted one of the festivals micro fashion trends – visible bra tops and straps.
Scarlett Johannson’s bubblegum pink Prada number had a similar detail.
Also photographed at the Asteroid City event, Julia Garner showed she is one to watch.
The Emmy-winning Ozark actress, 29, caught the eye in a dramatic flowing green Gucci gown. And just look at that pose for the paps. I predict Julia’s fashion choices, like her film roles, will get even bolder and edgier as she gets older. Green was also go for woman-of-themoment Michelle Yeoh, 60. The Oscar winner served up a powerful look in a custom-made Balenciaga gown with matching wrap.
Wraps were another big story at the festival. Back at Hollywood’s coalface after taking time out to have her first child, Jennifer Lawrence was the picture of elegance in a scarlet Dior gown and matching wrap for the premiere of Anatomie D’une Chute. But it was her choice of footwear – black flip flops rather than designer heels – that caused a fuss.
Given that the French thriller’s name translates as Anatomy of a Fall and with Jen’s own history of tripping in public, who can blame her for choosing safety over style? The headlines would have written themselves.