Islamabad, May 14, 2025: Hollywood icon and Oscar-winner Halle Berry revealed she had to scrap her planned outfit at the last moment due to the Cannes Film Festival’s new dress code policy, which strictly bans nudity and oversized, voluminous dresses that hinder red carpet movement and theater seating.
The festival’s organizers have drawn a firm line this year, announcing that anyone not adhering to the updated fashion guidelines risks being denied red carpet access.
The dress code now prohibits sheer or revealing outfits and grand gowns with extended trains—garments that have dominated previous red carpets but often pose logistical challenges.
“I had an amazing dress by Gupta to wear tonight, and I cannot wear it because the train’s too big,” Berry, who is serving as a jury member this year, told reporters at a press event. “I had to make a pivot. But the nudity part I do think is probably also a good rule,” she added.
The updated policy marks a shift in the festival’s tone. In past years, celebrities frequently turned heads with daring and often controversial fashion choices.
From Kanye West’s wife Bianca Censori’s sheer ensemble at the Grammys to numerous see-through dresses at Cannes itself, the red carpet has become a battleground for attention-grabbing statements.
In a progressive step, the festival also now allows elegant flat shoes without heels, a change welcomed by jury president Juliette Binoche, who shared, “On the heel side, I think it’s a very good idea, by experience.”
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This overhaul aims to balance glamour with practicality while maintaining the prestige of Cannes. As the festival navigates modern fashion trends, it sends a clear message: elegance doesn’t need to come at the cost of comfort or courtesy.
