Each year we are treated to serious fashion in the South of France as the annual Cannes Film Festival kicks off. Boasting press photo calls and Q&As, movie premieres and soirees, it is definitely one week you can count on for stunning fashion choices, bold choices and impeccable style. And this year’s festive season definitely delivered, with a lot of talked-about looks and some of my absolute favourite looks of the year thus far. So let’s see who has made the Killer Fashion Best Dressed list from Week One!
Fan Bingbing
On May 13th for the Opening Ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival and the movie premiere for La Tête Haute (Standing Tall), Chinese actress Fan Bingbing blew me away in her gorgeous red carpet gown. Wearing Ralph & Russo, this look featured an off the shoulder strapless neckline in the faintest of pinks with green embroidered floral & peacock motif designs, (a symbol of dignity and beauty), as well as caped sleeves. The mermaid fit is one of my favourites, and this look is also one of my favourites as it is ever so regal. Fan Bingbing looked like a true princess, adding Chopard jewels and a gold-tassel Louis Vuitton clutch with an orange-toned lip colour and a slicked down & plaited bun hairstyle to finish.
On May 14th, opting for a totally different look, Fan Bingbing chose Marchesa for the movie premiere of Mad Max: Fury Road. This look was very Marchesa; from its ethereal material to the delicate floral appliqué and its pastel hues, it was ever bit dreamy. The sheer billowing sleeves were adorned with the florals that lined the neckline as well as the back of the dress, to which Fan Bingbing added a plaited hair crown with additional flowers, Chopard crystal drop earrings and subtle pink eyeshadow.
On May 15th, Fan Bingbing returned to Ralph & Russo for this spectacular white look at Trophée Chopard 15th Anniversary soiree. She looked ever so elegant in this bridal-worthy gown, which featured curved, layered sleeves that were a statement of their own. Adding a glitzy silver & jade green stone necklace & drop earrings by Chopard and a dark clutch to the look, the Chinese beauty finished with a dark red lip and an updo.
Li Bingbing
This aging beauty showed off her elegant style beautifully in Cannes, as she attended the movie premiere for the upcoming The Sea of Trees. On May 16th, the 42 year-old actress stunned in this Zuhair Murad powder blue gown, which featured embellished beading, a sheer and embroidered upper body & sleeves, finishing with a tulle skirt that cascaded from the silver waistbelt around the back of the dress. This look is perfection itself. I absolutely am in love with how she worked the princess gown on the red carpet, styling it with an elegant updo, red lipstick, a bejewelled box clutch by Jimmy Choo and statement jewels. Wedding dress inspiration right there!
On May 17th Li Bingbing also attended the movie premiere for Carol, donning a cream confection by another Killer Fashion favourite designer, Elie Saab Couture. This time the strapless long sleeved gown played on the Chinese actress’ porcelain complexion, featuring an abundance of white pearl embellishments and faint threaded leaf patterns. Yes, it is extremely similar to the show stopping Zuhair Murad look the day before…but it’s still oh so beautiful! Pearl-embellished platform peep toes, a silver metallic square clutch and statement earrings with a swept back updo completed her look.
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini
On May 15th, as one of the many gorgeous L’Oréal Paris girls, my beloved Cheryl Fernandez-Versini stepped onto the red carpet in Cannes for the Irrational Man movie premiere. The singer attended in this creative gown by Ralph & Russo, that featured a glistening lace embroidered body with a plunging neckline, a column full-length skirt with a high leg split and a train. But the dress party doesn’t stop there, as this look also featured an impressive caped back finish and a high neckpiece, all in a blush beige hue. I love the cape dress trend this year, and this is a favourite look of mine. A beach wet look & swept back updo, Chopard earrings and no doubt wearing L’Oréal Paris makeup including Color Riche Collection Exclusive Nudes in Cheryl: Barely Greige, Cheryl looked every bit perfect.
Emma Stone
On May 15th, Emma Stone was at the Irrational Man photo call, where she donned this beautiful LBD by Oscar de la Renta. Proving there is nothing with the little black dress, the actress worked this lace frock with its ruffle organza skirt finish beautifully with a pair of Christian Louboutin ombré pumps. Her nude pink lip colour and sideswept updo were the perfect finishing touches. I love when I see a late designer’s creations look so damn beautiful. Bravo Emma Stone, bravo!
That evening, Emma attended the movie premiere of Irrational Man, where she wore a breathtakingly beautiful powder blue Christian Dior Couture sleeveless gown. The open back dress featured a high square neckline, with intricate threading & detailing from top to toe. A silver Chopard choker necklace, a pink lip and a beehive-like updo completed her stunning evening look.
Lupita Nyong’o
On May 13th, Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o attended the Opening Ceremony and movie premiere for La Tête Haute (Standing Tall) in a glorious green gown by Gucci. The custom gown featured crystalized floral appliqué around the shoulders and neck as well as at the bottom of the plunging neckline on the waist. The jade green gown featured a short cape back and pleated finish that the actress showed off, twirling for the cameras on the red carpet. An oversized updo with hair jewellery, drop earrings and a magenta lip colour rounded up her look.
Miranda Kerr
When I first saw what model Miranda Kerr wore on May 14th to the Magnum Pink & Black Party soiree, I was blown away. You know my love affair with all things pink, and this Australian beauty absolutely nailed her Emanuel Ugaro gown. The custom made gown featured a wide plunging neckline with a flowing silhouette that was every bit sexy, sultry and sweet as the former Victoria’s Angel is known for. Looking like a pink Grecian goddess, Lorraine Schwartz jewels, Jimmy Choo nude sandals and an Oroton clutch completed her gorgeous look.
Charlize Theron
Hitting the nail on the fashion head, Charlize Theron walked the red carpet on May 14th in a stunning strapless by Christian Dior Couture. The tall blonde absolutely worked it, attending the movie premiere for Mad Max: Fury Road in this inverted scooped neckline gown with its corset lining and that chiffon train in the most vibrant of yellows. A cocktail ring and crystal earrings by Chopard with a chic updo and flawless makeup, Charlize was a bright star that evening.
Salma Hayek
On May 14th, attending the photo call for her film Il racconto dei racconti (Tale of Tales), actress Salma Hayek stepped out in a wonderful red rose printed black midi dress by Alexander McQueen. The figure-hugging dress was perfect for the Latina who added black platform pumps and a straight flicked-out hairstyle to finish.
Following the photo call, Salma attended the movie premiere for Il racconto dei racconti (Tale of Tales) in another Alexander McQueen gown. This time she opted for a strapless two-tiered waterfall dress that featured gold disc motifs all over. The flamenco-inspired look was finished up with black platform heels, a deep wave hairstyle and a serpent arm cuff by Chopard.
On May 17th attending the movie premiere for Rocco and His Brothers Restoration, Salma gave us serious va va voom in a purple silhouette gown by Gucci. Her plunging sleeveless gown showed off her twins quite obviously, and yet I feel it wasn’t overtly sexy, because the straight ball gown finish of the skirt brings the look back down. A wavy hairstyle, silver jewels and a pink lipstick completed the look beautifully.
The Rest of the Best
For the Opening Ceremony and movie premiere of La Tête Haute (Standing Tall), actress Naomi Watts pulled out the big guns for Cannes in this silver embellished & feathery creation by Elie Saab. Wearing one of my favourite designers, she did not disappoint in the plunging short-sleeved look, however I do wish that Chopard necklace wasn’t so obliviously big. A relaxed updo with a pink lip colour completed her opening ensemble.
On May 13th L’Oréal Paris girl & model Doutzen Kroes attended the La Tête Haute (Standing Tall) movie premiere in this white Atelier Versace gown that featured a spliced sheer cut out section on the body, which complimented the high leg split. Silver sandals and a sparkling arm cuff with that dewy makeup and smokey eye finish were the perfect pairings for this look.
On May 16th, making quite the entrance on the red carpet at The Sea of Trees movie premiere, Sonam Kapoor showed up in a royal blue Ralph & Russo Couture gown that was just hot stuff and then some. Her gown featured dramatic peplum details on the waist, off-the-shoulder curved sleeves and a draping train for extra drama. Giuseppe Zanotti sandals and Chopard statement earrings, with those long brunette locks and red lipstick were the finishing touches for the ultimate look.
Joining Sonam Kapoor on The Sea of Trees movie premiere red carpet, model Natasha Poly dripped in liquid gold wearing this gown by Michael Kors. The plunging gown was figure hugging and perfect on the tall blonde with the billowing sleeves and the hourglass fit giving her every type of brownie points possible. A matching red lip & manicure with Old Hollywood glamour waves and a sparkling serpent necklace rounded up her ensemble. You’ll remember Kate Hudson wore a similar gold look by Michael Kors to the MET Costume Gala 2015.
Yesterday on May 17th, Model Poppy Delevingne showed up on the red carpet in a dark green & gold look by Burberry Prorsum that featured star, circle and leaf-like motifs that she wore with a multi-gem drop statement necklace from Chopard. Her mid-parted updo and smokey eye makeup added extra drama to her look, which frankly was already a statement.
Attending alongside fellow models, Erin O’Connor attended the Carol movie premiere looking fabulous in this red gown by Ralph & Russo Couture. The strapless dress would have been just fine, but it totally ups the ante with the oversized bow on the body & back. Red satin heels and a silver & ruby cuff bracelet with barely there makeup and a chic bun completed the tall model’s Cannes look. I adore this dramatic look.
Actress Cate Blanchett looked amazing on May 17th attended the movie premiere for Carol, in this Giles creation. Yes this is a big dress and it might be OTT for some people, but this is fashion in Cannes. The abstract print on that oversized ball gown skirt and its strapless bodice were the perfect match for a contrast to what the red carpet usually brings, and then there’s the multi ruffle back detail. Black pumps, barely there heels and a fuss-free updo completed the look. Just wow!
Notable Mentions
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