Each May, the Croisette becomes a catwalk unlike any other, where the world’s most glamorous stars meet the global guardians of cinema. And on the opening night of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, elegance returned in full force—with a refined edge shaped by a newly enforced dress code and the undeniable power of legacy.
This year, Cannes is not only celebrating film but elevating the very idea of cinematic heritage. As flashbulbs sparked along the red carpet, a moment of history quietly unfolded: Leonardo DiCaprio, in a classic tuxedo with his signature restraint, stepped forward to present the Honorary Palme d’Or to Robert De Niro. The gesture was more than symbolic. “He changed my life,” DiCaprio said, reflecting on his breakthrough role in This Boy’s Life, cast by De Niro in 1993. The actor’s tribute to his longtime mentor marked one of the evening’s most moving moments.
Robert De Niro, ever defiant, used his acceptance speech to make a bold political statement, condemning artistic censorship and America’s “philistine” turn in cultural funding. The crowd inside the Palais stood in thunderous applause—not just for a career, but for courage.
But Cannes is also about presence. And on that red carpet, presence is couture.
But Cannes is also about presence. And on that red carpet, presence is couture.
Bella Hadid, the perennial fashion darling, stunned in a white Saint Laurent corset top and matching trousers, unveiling her new “NYC Blonde” hue—sunlit, yet commanding. Paired with minimalist gold jewelry and sharply tailored lines, her look was a lesson in contemporary refinement.
Halle Berry, a member of this year’s jury, turned heads in a black tweed look with subtle sparkle. Her outfit—a quiet nod to the newly instated dress code—offered a chic balance between festival formality and personal flair.
Eva Longoria graced the carpet in a cream-hued, curve-hugging gown that mirrored the glamour of classic Cannes, while still feeling undeniably modern. Irina Shayk followed with pure old-Hollywood drama in a black Armani Privé gown, a silhouette so timeless it could have glided down the carpet in 1955—or 2025.
From India, global ambassador Alia Bhatt made her Cannes debut with understated grandeur, while veteran Aishwarya Rai Bachchan reaffirmed her status as a fashion icon of the festival. Urvashi Rautela brought a splash of whimsy with her now-viral parrot-shaped clutch—a playful twist amid the sea of monochrome.
And while the fashion thrilled, the overall tone was different this year: purposeful. The updated dress code, which asked guests to avoid overly revealing and cumbersome looks, encouraged a new form of elegance—tailored, architectural, intentional. “Cannes has always been glamorous,” remarked one fashion editor on-site, “but now, it’s focused.”
As the curtain lifted on the festival’s first screening, one thing was certain: Cannes 2025 has begun not just with spectacle, but with soul.
Eva Longoria graced the carpet in a cream-hued, curve-hugging gown that mirrored the glamour of classic Cannes, while still feeling undeniably modern. Irina Shayk followed with pure old-Hollywood drama in a black Armani Privé gown, a silhouette so timeless it could have glided down the carpet in 1955—or 2025.
From India, global ambassador Alia Bhatt made her Cannes debut with understated grandeur, while veteran Aishwarya Rai Bachchan reaffirmed her status as a fashion icon of the festival. Urvashi Rautela brought a splash of whimsy with her now-viral parrot-shaped clutch—a playful twist amid the sea of monochrome.
And while the fashion thrilled, the overall tone was different this year: purposeful. The updated dress code, which asked guests to avoid overly revealing and cumbersome looks, encouraged a new form of elegance—tailored, architectural, intentional. “Cannes has always been glamorous,” remarked one fashion editor on-site, “but now, it’s focused.”
As the curtain lifted on the festival’s first screening, one thing was certain: Cannes 2025 has begun not just with spectacle, but with soul.
