Cannes Film Festival: Most memorable fashion moments of all time
The Cannes Film Festival returns today. Alongside premiering some of the year’s most anticipated pieces of cinema, the French film festival has also set the stage for some of fashion’s most memorable moments. For example, who can forget Madonna’s Jean Paul Gaultier-designed cone-shaped bra, which debuted on the Cannes carpet in 1991 and went on to become one of the most controversial and iconic garments of the 1990s? Another such legendary moment that will resonate with Hong Kong cinema lovers is when the city’s beloved actors Leslie Cheung and Gong Li twinned in classic black and white outfits for the photo call of their film Farewell My Concubine at the Cannes Film Festival 1993. On a similar vein, many in the Indian community will remember the moment of pride they felt when Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai championed the traditional sari to the premiere of her film Devdas at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.
In honour of the festival’s 78th edition, Tatler looks back at some of the best looks that the star attendees have given us across the years.
Also read: Asian films making their debut at Cannes Film Festival 2025
2024: Louis Koo and the cast of ‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ in Chopard
Louis Koo at Cannes 2024 (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage)
A close-up shot of Louis Koo’s Chopard watch at Cannes 2024 premiere of ‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ (Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images)
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, one of Hong Kong’s biggest box-office hits last year, premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival’s Midnight Screenings section. Director Soi Cheang and actors Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Terrance Lau and others attended the premiere, looking their dapper best. They also raised their wrist game with luxury watches by Chopard: Koo wore the Alpine Eagle, Lam the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 and Lau the Alpine Eagle 41 XPS.
2021: Bella Hadid in Schiaparelli
Bella Hadid at Cannes Film Festival 2021 (Photo: Getty Images)
Bella Hadid broke the internet by wearing a pair of golden lungs to theTre Piani premiere in 2021. The eye-catching brass necklace was designed by haute couturier Schiaparelli and is part of the brand’s fall 2021 collection. Hadid matched it with a simple black dress designed by Schiaparelli creative director Daniel Roseberry and stilettos. Classic and iconic!
2002: Aishwarya Rai in Neeta Lulla
Aishwarya Rai at Cannes Film Festival 2002 (Photo: Getty Images)
The Bollywood star, who has since become a Cannes veteran, made her debut at the famous film festival in 2002 to attend the premiere of her film Devdas, alongside co-actor Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. At a time when diversity and representation were not yet the buzzwords, Rai made a bold statement in representing her Indian heritage in a yellow sari by Indian designer Neeta Lulla, traditional gold jewellery and even a matching bindi (forehead accessory worn by women in South Asia).
1993: Leslie Chueng and Gong Li in matching outfits
Leslie Cheung and Gong Li at Cannes Film Festival 1993 (Photo: Getty Images)
Hong Kong’s acclaimed actor Leslie Chueng attended the 1993 Cannes Film Festival to promote his film Farewell My Concubine. One of his most memorable pictures clicked was during the photocall of this film, in which Cheung and Gong Li, his costar, were seen wearing matching black and white outfits and sharing an easy camaraderie.
1991: Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier
Madonna wearing the iconic cone-shaped bra at Cannes Film Festival 1991 (Photo: Getty Images)
Madonna arrived at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival red carpet in a hot-pink satin coat resembling a dressing gown. She later dropped the jacket to reveal the iconic cone-shaped bra designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. To this day, the controversial bra remains synonymous with the brand and much of her music.
1987: Princess Diana in Catherine Walker
Princess Diana and Prince Charles (now King of England) at Cannes Film Festival 1987 (Photo: Getty Images)
The late Princess Diana attended the Cannes Film Festival in 1987 with the now King of the United Kingdom. The then-26-year-old effortlessly stole focus from every other attendee in a sky-blue gown and matching neck scarf. She looked every bit the people’s princess by complementing her attire with drop earrings and a simple bracelet.
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