Cannes Film Festival Opens With Strict Style Rules, Major Fashion Moments, and a Celebrity Baby Reveal
Cannes is famous for cinema, but the early days of the 79th Annual Cannes Film Festival placed fashion firmly at the center of attention. The festival opened on May 12, 2026, in France, bringing major stars, longtime screen icons, models, and industry figures to the Palais des Festivals.
The week began with premieres, formal events, gala screenings, and a red carpet watched closely for every dramatic gown, polished tuxedo, and carefully styled arrival. Even before the biggest fashion moments unfolded, the festival reminded attendees that its celebrated carpet still comes with firm rules.
The dress code did not stop celebrities from making bold choices. Instead, the opening days delivered structured gowns, shimmering fabrics, vintage glamour, dramatic trains, fan debate, and one personal announcement from a well-known couple that briefly shifted attention away from the clothes.
Cannes Begins With Fashion Under a Stricter Rulebook
The Cannes Film Festival has long maintained a formal atmosphere, especially for gala screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumière. Guests are expected to dress for the occasion, and the event has never had the relaxed tone of a casual arrival.
For those gala screenings, the official expectations include evening wear such as long dresses, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or dark-colored pantsuits. Sneakers are not accepted, and guests with large bags or backpacks must place them in lockers before entering.
Since 2025, the rules have become more specific. The festival’s official charter was updated to clearly ban full nudity on the carpet.
The rules also prohibit voluminous outfits with oversized trains when they block the flow of movement or create difficulties for seating inside the theater. This means that the festival is not only looking at appearance, but also at whether a look interferes with the movement of guests and the practical needs of the venue.
A festival representative said the updated wording reflected “certain rules that have long been in effect.” The representative also said the purpose was “not to regulate attire per se but to prohibit full nudity on the carpet.”
The change followed years of increasingly sheer red carpet looks and several headline-making moments. Over time, stars including Elle Fanning, Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner had worn sheer gowns at the festival, while in 2022 a topless woman was escorted from the carpet after removing her dress during a protest.
Security at the Palais has always been known for being firm. Now, the written rules are more explicit as well.
Fashion Still Takes Center Stage
Even with the stricter guidance, Cannes remained a place for dramatic fashion. The festival may set boundaries, but it cannot fully control how major guests and brand ambassadors choose to interpret glamour.
Partners and fashion-linked names connected to brands such as Chopard, L’Oréal, and Kering still bring high-impact styling to the red carpet. The result is a balance between formal rules and celebrity fashion spectacle.
This year, the opening days were filled with carefully planned looks. Some stars leaned into classic elegance, while others selected sculptural silhouettes, metallic finishes, feathers, sequins, oversized details, and vivid color.
The red carpet conversation quickly grew beyond the films. Viewers reacted to gowns, hairstyles, jewelry, body language, and the way veteran stars and younger celebrities approached the festival’s highly visible fashion stage.
Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin Share Baby News
Before the festival’s clothing moments fully took over the conversation, Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin made a personal announcement. On May 14, the couple revealed they are expecting their first child while attending the festival.
Palvin, 32, appeared in a light blue dress designed with cap sleeves and a feathered skirt. She posed with her hand resting beneath her baby bump, making the announcement clear during the event.
Sprouse, 33, stood beside his wife in a tuxedo with his arm around her. The moment added a softer and more intimate note to the festival’s red carpet atmosphere.
The couple also shared a more personal photograph in which Sprouse was seated and Palvin perched on the armrest beside him. Both were still dressed for the event, leaning into a polished but affectionate public reveal.
Demi Moore Becomes One of the Festival’s Main Fashion Figures
Demi Moore served on the jury this year, giving her several opportunities to appear during the festival’s opening stretch. Each appearance added to her status as one of the most closely watched fashion figures at Cannes.
On May 13, Moore, 63, attended the “La Vie D’Une Femme” screening in a purple off-the-shoulder Gucci gown. The look featured a sweetheart neckline, a high slit, and iridescent fabric that reflected light from different angles.
She completed the outfit with matching purple pumps, Chopard diamond chandelier earrings, and a large sparkling silver ring. The coordinated styling made the purple look one of her most discussed appearances.
Online reaction arrived quickly. One person wrote, “Gift wrap [sic],” while another commented, “Love everything but the wet looking hair [sic].”
Other reactions were more favorable. One viewer wrote, “Plastic never looked so gorgeous 🔥❤️🔥 [sic],” and another replied, “Literally thought the caption said plastic wrapped in couture 😆 [sic].”
On another platform, responses were more directly admiring. One person wrote, “Looks much better with her arms covered [sic],” while another said, “Beautiful gown. Very flattering.” A third called her the “Best dressed woman in hollywood [sic].”
The purple Gucci gown became a standout, but it was not Moore’s only memorable look during the first days of the festival.
Moore’s Earlier and Later Cannes Looks
On May 12, Moore attended the jury photocall in a white balloon-cut dress from the Jacquemus Le Palmier collection. The dress was covered in red, black, yellow, and blue polka dots, and she carried a matching printed bag.
Later that same day, she appeared at the opening ceremony and the “La Vénus Electrique” screening in a custom Jacquemus sequined dress. The design featured an oversized corset, and she paired it with large diamond necklaces.
On May 14, Moore continued her run of attention-grabbing choices at the “Fatherland” screening. She arrived in a sculptural red gown made from crinkled fabric that resembled wrapping paper.
Across these appearances, Moore presented several different fashion directions. She moved from playful print to structured sparkle, then to iridescent purple glamour and finally to a bold red sculptural look.
Her repeated appearances also reflected her position on the jury. She was not simply passing through the festival; she was part of its official presence, and her wardrobe became one of the running fashion stories of the week.
Jane Fonda and Joan Collins Bring Classic Red Carpet Presence
On May 12, Jane Fonda and Dame Joan Collins arrived for the opening ceremony and the “La Vénus Electrique” screening. Both women brought long-established red carpet confidence to the festival’s first evening.
Fonda wore a long-sleeved black sequined gown. The dress was sleek, formal, and commanding, fitting the festival’s traditional eveningwear expectations.
Collins chose a custom Stéphane Rolland Haute Couture white orchid long gown. She paired it with black opera gloves, diamond chandelier earrings, and a matching necklace.
Their appearances drew immediate attention because both women have decades of experience with major public events. Their styling placed classic glamour next to the younger and more experimental fashion seen elsewhere at the festival.
Comments about Fonda ranged from admiration to concern. One person wrote, “Beautiful woman and slim [sic],” while another said, “That dress looks heavy [sic].” A third added, “She looks fabulous [sic].”
Another fan wrote, “She does resemble her handsome father Henry Fonda‼️ Look at her in ‘Barefoot in the Park,’ and so many other films where her beauty shines❤️🌺 [sic].”
Other comments were more candid. One person wrote, “This dress is holding her back from breathing [sic],” while another said, “Didn’t recognize her with this hairstyle… [sic].” A third added, “I bet her hip or knee hurts. She has the same step as me! [sic].”
Fans Compare the Two Screen Legends
When Fonda and Collins were discussed together, many viewers praised Collins with particular enthusiasm. The comparison became part of the broader conversation around the opening night fashion.
One commenter wrote, “Joan Collins looks more beautiful and glamorous [sic],” while another declared, “Joan Collins stole the show !!! [sic]”
A third viewer said, “Joan looks for me much better more natural ❤️ [sic].” Another added, “Sadly Jane no longer looks the same but who would , but our Joan is still there all be it older , mind you they walk like older ladies, still in heals though amazing 👏 [sic].”
In a separate comment, one person wrote, “Joan Collins was the best [sic]!!!”
The responses showed how strongly longtime stars can still shape a red carpet conversation. Their appearances were not treated as background moments but as major points of discussion.
Heidi Klum Opens Cannes With Multiple Looks
Heidi Klum arrived at Cannes with a clear fashion strategy. On May 12 alone, the 52-year-old supermodel wore two notable looks.
For the Opening Ceremony dinner, she chose a shimmering gold fringe dress covered in cascading metallic tassels. The dress created movement and immediately drew attention.
Reactions were divided. One person wrote, “She’s gained a little weight & looks fabulous & healthy! 💗 [sic],” while another said, “Looks tacky and too tight [sic].” A third asked, “Why does she wear clothes too small? Size up [sic].”
Other responses were more enthusiastic. One viewer wrote, “Loving her look! Simply gorgeous, curvy, feminine & sexy without being naked. Well done Heidi! 👏👏👏👏 [sic].”
Another said, “Cool dress. Only the breasts wouldn’t have to be pushed like that. [sic].” A third compared it to another outfit by writing, “Much better than the curtains of the other one 😜 [sic].” A fourth called it, “A real wow dress [sic].”
Later the same night, Klum changed for the opening ceremony and the “La Vénus Electrique” screening. She wore a peach Elie Saab gown from the Fall/Winter 2025 couture collection.
The strapless dress included a plunging neckline, a sculpted shape, a large flower detail at the center, and a long dramatic train. It was one of the evening’s more theatrical gowns.
Klum Continues Her Cannes Fashion Run
Klum’s fashion appearances continued after the opening night. On May 13, she was seen at the Hotel Martinez with her dog while wearing a long black wrap dress that revealed a small hint of her hip.
Later that evening, she attended a Jane and Gong Li dinner celebration. For that event, she wore a blush-pink shimmering gown with soft pink feather details.
On May 14, Klum appeared again in a crystal-studded strapless gown. From a distance, the dress resembled a mermaid’s tail.
She paired that gown with iridescent open-toe stilettos and diamond earrings. Across several appearances, Klum moved through gold fringe, peach couture, black wrap styling, pink shimmer, feathers, crystals, and mermaid-like texture.
Her wardrobe showed an effort to maintain attention across the festival’s early schedule. Each look offered a different mood, and each added to the conversation around Cannes fashion under the updated rules.
Other Stars Add to the Festival’s Style Conversation
The early festival days also featured several other notable appearances. Cast and industry figures connected to “The Fast And The Furious” attended a screening and photocall on May 13.
Meadow Walker, Jordana Brewster, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Neal H. Moritz appeared together for the screening. Michelle Rodriguez, Meadow Walker, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, and Neal H. Moritz also posed during the photocall.
Jordana Brewster and Vin Diesel were photographed together at the screening, while Michelle Rodriguez also appeared on the carpet for the event. Their presence added a major franchise-related moment to the festival’s lineup.
Other arrivals also stood out during the opening stretch. Isabelle Huppert attended the “Histoires Parallèles (Parallel Tales)” screening on May 14.
Sandra Hüller and August Diehl appeared at the “Fatherland” screening that same day. Gillian Anderson attended the “La Vie D’Une Femme” screening on May 13.
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu attended the opening ceremony and the “La Vénus Electrique” screening on May 12. These appearances helped fill the festival calendar with familiar actors and international names.
A Festival Defined by Rules, Glamour, and Reaction
The 79th Annual Cannes Film Festival opened with a clear reminder that its red carpet remains one of the most formal and closely watched in the world. The rules around eveningwear, nudity, oversized outfits, sneakers, bags, and seating practicality gave the fashion conversation a sharper framework.
Still, the festival’s early days showed that boundaries do not remove spectacle. Demi Moore delivered a sequence of high-impact gowns as a jury member, Jane Fonda and Joan Collins brought classic red carpet authority, and Heidi Klum created discussion through multiple dramatic looks.
Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin added a personal milestone to the opening week by announcing they are expecting their first child. Their reveal became one of the festival’s most tender moments amid the glamour.
The fashion debate continued through online reactions, praise, jokes, criticism, and comparisons. Some viewers focused on elegance, others on fit, hairstyle, age, styling risks, or whether certain gowns seemed comfortable or excessive.
That mix of cinema, celebrity, strict ceremony, bold fashion, and public reaction is exactly what keeps Cannes in the spotlight. The films may be the official reason for the festival, but in 2026, the clothes once again became one of its biggest stories.