The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicked off this week, with Hollywood heavyweights landing in the French Riviera over the weekend to celebrate the upcoming cinematic festivities. After the sudden news of the nudity ban, jury member Halle Berry made waves after swapping out her now-banned voluminous gown for a sleek, striped Jacquemus sheath. Nevertheless, attendees still showed up in rule-bending gowns that turned heads and dominated our feeds. From Queen of Cannes Bella Hadid in a cut-out Saint Laurent gown to Heidi Klum creating chatter while wearing Elie Saab, the red carpet in the French Riviera continues to be nothing short of grand.
Of course, it wasn’t just the fashion that kept us talking. Premieres, panels and parties brought their own kind of spectacle. Many films have already earned standing ovations, including the opener Sound of Falling and last night’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, with stars like Tom Cruise, Hannah Waddingham, and Hayley Atwell in attendance.
But for us, what happens before the screenings is where the real magic unfolds. We’ve been tracking every red carpet moment, and a distinct color narrative is already taking shape. Bold crimson, rich black, and soft dusty pink are dominating the spotlight, marking a noticeable shift from last year’s wave of baby blues. While timeless black remains a favorite—especially in sleek, structured silhouettes, but also in flouncy tulle frocks à la Irina Shayk in an Armani Privé black and white polka-dot floor-length gown from the Fall/Winter 2019 couture collection—it’s clear that warm-tones aren’t playing a supporting role this season. In fact, they’re stealing the show.
This embrace of red and pink isn't isolated to the south of France. Just a week earlier, the Met Gala’s blue carpet ushered in a slew of red shades, from deep garnets to warm crimsons and rich merlot. Jodie Turner-Smith stood out in a Burberry ensemble that blended brown and merlot tones, while Tracee Ellis-Ross made a statement in a red and pink custom Marc Jacobs outfit, complete with a coordinating hat. Designers like Proenza Schouler, Gucci and Victoria Beckham leaned into red's intensity in their runway collection this past February for their Fall/Winter 2025 collections, while Chanel and Brandon Maxwell included hues of pink for spring.
As the festival unfolds, we expect these colors to continue their reign supreme. With major premieres slated for the coming days, the red carpet will, no doubt, be a kaleidoscope of these signature hues. Perhaps we might even see a deviation that uncements red, dusty pink, and black from being deemed the preferred palette of Cannes 2025.
Below, we break down the three color trends we’re seeing dominate the Cannes carpet.
Red
Passionate, powerful, and bold, red has always been a colorful favorite amongst attendees at Cannes (who could forget Jennifer Lawrence in that Dior haute couture gown from S/S ’23?). From opening night to the buzzworthy premieres, crimson gowns have been making undeniable appearances. Think flowing silhouettes, dramatic designs, and enough wattage to rival the flashing cameras. Hayley Atwell and Maria Borges both opted for the bold hue.
Hayley Atwell
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In Giambattista Valli at the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning premiere.
Juliette Binoche
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At the opening dinner.
Maria Borges
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In Zuhair Murad couture gown at the Partir Un Jour premiere.
Nichapat Suphap
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In Zac Posen at the Partir Un Jour premiere.
Dusty Pink
On a lighter note, we’d be remiss not to call out the major color choice starting out the week: dusty pink—the softer choice to the aforementioned hue. Unlike a saccharine bubblegum, celebrities are opting for a sophisticated light pink with an edge; one that balances its cool base with warm, beige-y undertones. From Hannah Waddingham to Berry, we've spotted actors incorporating this romantic shade in dresses that play with texture, volume, and unexpected details.
Hannah Waddingham
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In custom Pamella Roland at the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning premiere.
Heidi Klum
Getty ImagesIn Elie Saab at the Partir Un Jour premiere.
Halle Berry
Getty ImagesIn Celia Kritharioti at the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning premiere.
Hande Erçel
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In Giambattista Valli at the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning premiere.
Black
Of course, no red carpet is complete without the undeniable allure of black. At Cannes, black is a statement of timelessness and flattery. Celebrities like Shayk, Hadid and Zoe Saldaña have embraced black in myriad ways, from sleek, minimalist gowns to intricate, detailed designs with volume and texture. The color that lets every Chopard diamond, every pose, and every glance take center stage.
Zoe Saldaña
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In Saint Laurent at the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning premiere.
Bella Hadid
Getty ImagesIn Saint Laurent at the Partir Un Jour premiere.
Andie MacDowell
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In Mugler at the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning premiere.
Irina Shayk
Getty ImagesIn Saint Laurent at the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning premiere.
Gabriette Bechtel
Getty Images In Chrome Hearts at the Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning premiere.
Irina Shayk
Getty ImagesIn Armani Privé at the Partir Un Jour premiere.
Shanina Shaik
Getty ImagesIn Sophie Couture at the Partir Un Jour premiere.
