Overview

• The Cannes Film Festival introduced a new dress code banning nudity and voluminous gowns with large trains, citing decency and logistical concerns.
• The rules, announced just 24 hours before the festival's opening, led to confusion among attendees and last-minute outfit changes for some, including jury member Halle Berry.
• High-profile figures like Heidi Klum and Wan QianHui openly defied the dress code without facing penalties, highlighting inconsistent enforcement.
• Critics argue the policy disproportionately targets women and reflects a conservative shift, contrasting with Cannes' historical embrace of provocative fashion.
• The festival's couture tradition persists, as seen in Juliette Binoche's Dior ensemble, which required over 200 hours of craftsmanship, underscoring the tension between artistic expression and institutional control.