The Cannes Film Festival has announced a new policy for its 2025 edition, effectively banning naked dressing and ultra-revealing fashion on the red carpet. The change marks a notable shift from past years, where sheer gowns and body-baring silhouettes became a common sight among celebrity attendees.
Officials say the revised dress code aims to refocus attention on the films and artistry being celebrated, while maintaining the event’s image as an elegant and prestigious cultural institution. While specific language has not been released, the guidelines reportedly discourage excessive exposure and transparent fabrics that reveal too much skin.
Over the past decade, Cannes has been a major platform for high-profile fashion moments, with celebrities and stylists often leveraging sheer fabrics, plunging necklines, and cutouts for viral red carpet appearances. Designs by fashion houses like Valentino, Dior, and Mugler have contributed to the rise of the “naked dress” trend at the festival.
For fashion insiders and stylists, this policy shift could prompt a move toward more classic red carpet dressing. Couture, tailoring, and statement accessories are expected to take center stage in upcoming Cannes appearances. Designers may pivot to using structure, texture, and embellishment rather than skin-baring elements to make an impact.
This change also comes as broader conversations about red carpet protocols and celebrity privacy continue in the entertainment industry. Cannes, which enforces strict rules on red carpet conduct and screening access, has historically taken a conservative approach compared to other international festivals.
With the 2025 edition set to begin in May, all eyes will be on how Hollywood adapts its fashion playbook. Stylists and fashion houses will likely use the new restrictions to redefine glamour at one of the world’s most-watched cultural events.
