Blast from the past: Celebrities who stunned in archival looks at the Cannes Film Festival 2025

The 78th Cannes Film Festival is unfolding along the French Riviera from 13 to 24 May 2025, drawing cinema’s most celebrated names. Beyond the competition films, the Cannes red carpet remains one of the most highly anticipated fashion moments of the year.

Fashion has long been woven into Cannes’ cultural fabric. While this year’s sudden change in dress code caused a stir just days ahead of the two-week spectacle, the red carpet has remained a stage for both designers and stars to make lasting impressions. A compelling trend is emerging: celebrities are increasingly choosing vintage and archival-inspired designs over the latest runway offerings. The appeal is twofold—vintage couture guarantees exclusivity in an era of fast fashion, eliminating the risk of awkward twinning moments, while also making a refined statement of personal taste. Consider supermodel Elsa Hosk who dazzled in autumn-winter 1995 Thierry Mugler. Natalie Portman also added another memorable Cannes look to the books à la an embellished gown inspired by a 1951 Christian Dior design.

Here are Tatler’s top celebrity picks from the Cannes Film Festival 2025 red carpet—proof that, when done right, a return to the past is always en vogue.

In case you missed it: From Becky Armstrong to Wan Qian Hui: The Asian stars who dazzled on the Cannes red carpet this year

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

Christian Dior’s 1949 Poulenc dress (Photo: Instagram / @art8amby)

Jennifer Lawrence opted for elegance in a pleated silk taffeta evening gown by Dior, this one nodding to the brand originator’s 1949 Poulenc dress.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

Christian Dior’s 1951 Mexique dress (Photo: Instagram / @art8amby)

Natalie Portman also turned heads in a custom Dior gown embellished with a bow detail at the bodice, inspired by Christian Dior’s 1951 Mexique dress.

Elsa Hosk

Elsa Hosk at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

Thierry Mugler’s autumn-winter 1995 collection (Photo: Instagram / @ideservecouture)

Supermodel Elsa Hosk channelled drama and sensuality in an archival ensemble from Thierry Mugler’s autumn-winter 1995 collection—featuring a transparent, figure-hugging gown paired with a velvet and satin coat.

Irina Shayk

Irina Shayk at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

Fellow supermodel Irina Shayk embraced retro glamour in a velvet and faille dress from the Yves Saint Laurent autumn-winter 1988 haute couture collection.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

Vintage 1956 Givenchy dress (Photo: Instagram / @art8amby)

American actress Rooney Mara chose a timeless silhouette with a vintage 1956 haute couture Givenchy dress.

Amal Clooney

Amal Clooney at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

Amal Clooney looked striking in a floor-sweeping black gown designed by John Galliano during his tenure at Dior.

Zoey Deutch

Zoey Deutch at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

Chanel spring 1956 dress (Photo: Instagram / @art8amby)

Zoey Deutch looked pretty in pink by donning a recreation of a Chanel spring 1956 haute couture dress.

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