The 71st annual Cannes Film Festival is winding up this weekend and while previews of new films from around the world have evidently been the focal point, the fashion fraternity has had their eyes fixed on the celebs and their garb on the red carpet at the French Riviera. Here’s a round-up of the hits and misses this time around.
HITS
Bold and the beautiful
Bold coloured/solid hued gowns were a common and welcoming sight on the Cannes red carpet. Model Jasmine Tookes was a stunner in that scarlet strapless gown by Zac Posen that she wore to the screening of Girls of the Sun . Emilia Clarke looked rather charming in a violet number from Dior. Then there was Winnie Harlow who grabbed our attention in a resplendent off-shoulder green ensemble from Ralph & Russo that she paired with gold strappy sandals to the premiere of BlacKkKlansman . And there is no denying that Deepika Padukone was quite the eye candy in her flamboyant Ashi Studio fuchsia dress that someone on Twitter said resembled carefully preserved pencil shavings!
Nude feud
Naked dresses were definitely a thing at the French Riviera this year. And while some wore the trend with panache, taking inspiration only from the hue and nothing else, others looked like they were umm, at the wrong event, maybe? Anyway, it was Sonam Kapoor who stole our hearts in her tulle gown from Vera Wang that featured a nude-coloured strapless bodice and tulle skirt with an asymmetric ruffle element on the back, displaying multiple complementary layers of lemon yellow and beige tulle. With her hair worn in a low, messy bun, her makeup, taking a cue from the colours of her outfit, was on point, as was her choice of minimal jewellery from Chopard.
Flower power
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 15: Actress Thandie Newton departs the screening of "Solo: A Star Wars Story" during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 15, 2018 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Floral-inspired outfits on the red carpet run the risk of looking too casual but celebs like Thandie Newton who wore a super interesting Vivienne Westwood gown, printed with action-figure versions of all the Star Wars’ black characters, atop a delicate floral motif surface, rocked the trend. Then there was Cate Blanchett who looked great in a colourful asymmetrical floral print dress. We also think Amber Heard was a sensation in a Valentino ball gown featuring floral prints. Her hairstyle and jewellery upped her overall appearance.
Lehenga loving
After that star-studded wedding celebration where she looked phenomenal in every outfit she wore, Sonam Kapoor wore a showstopper of an outfit for her first red carpet appearance at this year’s Cannes. She opted for a Swarovski crystal-encrusted ivory Ralph and Russo tulle lehenga that featured a magnificent train. The floral embroidered skirt was paired with a three-fourth sleeved crop top. What we loved most was her intricate hair accessory from Amrapali that adorned her long and sleek plait.
Suited up
71st Cannes Film Festival - Screening of the film "Solo: A Star Wars Story" out of competition - Red Carpet Arrivals - Cannes, France May 15, 2018. Doutzen Kroes poses. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Looks like Deepika Padukone came determined to win the critics over with her fashion choices at Cannes. Opting for an edgy yet classy purple coloured pant-suit by Mao, she sure earned some extra brownie points. We also liked her neatly gelled hair, minimal makeup, and accessories. Another celeb who perfected this trend was model Doutzen Kroes who wore a plunging black Tom Ford tuxedo jacket and jumpsuit with black mesh pumps.
MISSES
Tiring tiers
Kendall Jenner was one of the top contenders for ‘worst dressed’ because her Schiaparelli haute couture gown was anything but exquisite. Made from white silk tulle and accessorised with a wide belt, with its many tiers, flimsy fabric, and overall racy getup, Jenner didn’t surprise us with her choice of outfit but she also didn’t quite manage to win the appreciation of fashion critics. Olympic skater, Tatiana Navka, too had way too much going on with those terrible tiers of grey tulle.
Sheer shenanigans
This is one trend that could go either way. And unfortunately, celebs like Cheryl Cole couldn’t quite cut it in that Zuhair Murad sheer white beaded gown. The detailing looked a lot like leftover tinsel from Christmas. Then there was Talia Storm in a sheer, netted black overlapping dress like outfit, more suited for the bedroom than the Cannes red carpet.
Tulle much or nothing at all!
Chinese actress Fan Bingbing poses as she arrives on May 8, 2018 for the screening of the film "Todos Lo Saben (Everybody Knows)" and the opening ceremony of the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. / AFP PHOTO / LOIC VENANCE
We loved the colour of Fan Bing Bing’s aquamarine Ali Karoui Haute Couture gown but loathed the innumerable rows of tulle. And if you thought model Cindy Bruna looked like a bird in that black Ermanno Scervino dress that had way too much fabric for a hemline as high as that, we couldn’t agree more. But then she did even worse by showing up in that saucy white number that was unfortunately not a wardrobe malfunction and left nothing to the imagination of onlookers.
Wallpaper vibes
So Salma Hayek is almost always amongst the most fashionable on any red carpet but then Cannes 2018 happened. The Mexican actress wore an aqua coloured gown with a shimmering silver belt. While we have no objection to her wanting to channel some vintage glamour, with all the floral accents, we do think her outfit would’ve looked better as a wallpaper in the royal palace.
Plain Jane
Indian actress and model Aishwarya Rai Bachchan poses as she arrives on May 13, 2018 for the screening of the film "Sink Or Swim (Le Grand Bain)" at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. / AFP PHOTO / Loic VENANCE
We must give her credit for attempting to dress the part, considering she was attending the premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story. Unfortunately though, Jennifer Connelly looked rather boring in her white Louis Vuitton dress that featured black stripe detailing across the bodice and shoulders. Her zip-up sandals did nothing to make her look less drab. Then of course, there was Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan who could have done so much better. Her heavily embellished Manish Arora dress in pastel hues was artless and not red carpet worthy for sure.
