Cannes Film Festival Week 2: The Best Dressed

Last Saturday 27th May, Cannes came to an end with Anatomy of a Fall directed by Justone Triet winning the top prize; the Palm D’or. While Cannes is officially a film festival it is also one of the most exciting red carpets of the year as stars, designers and stylists from all across the world come and show their fashion creativity. There is so much to talk about that we’ve had to split our coverage across two weeks.ow that week 1 is done, let’s get into week 2.

Influencer Leonie Hanne is a constant personal favourite of mine, from her FROW show looks to magazine covers and of course red carpets. It comes as no surprise then that she has made it on to this year’s best dressed list. Out of her 5 Cannes looks, this one was by far my favourite, even though it was not the most elaborate. The full length blush pink organza Nicole Felicia Couture dress was a showstopper – both the colour and the mermaid fit with the low scoop back commanded attention. However, it was the full rosette cape finished with feathers that really stole the show. The rosettes increased in size towards the end of the cape, creating a “lifting off the ground” effect as if Hanne was to float away like a fairy at any given moment. Styled with her hair in a bun away from her face and Bulgari drop earrings with matching necklace and ring, the whole look hit every point.

It goes without saying that a lot of men tend to give us nothing on the carpet. At their best their suit is boring but fits well, and at their worst the look is boring and beyond unflattering. This year however, both at the Met Gala and now at Cannes, men are making it clear that they do in fact know how to express themselves through fashion. A man that definitely expressed himself was Rahi Chadda in HOMOLOG Paris. The colour of the suit was inspired – the wine red against his skin tone was warm and rich. Then we have the added extras, the cascading chiffon on the blazer’s hemline, the jewels embellished from the waist down to the hips and on the hemline of the sleeves. What truly brought the look together was the hair – large curls that framed his hairline and his skin looked dewy and flushed. All finished with a tiered Fred Paris necklace featuring a single red gem to complement the colour of the suit. Styled and tailored to perfection!

While Cannes as a whole is quite a formal red carpet, there are various parties during the fortnight long film festival that require more creative, fun or casual (as casual as Cannes can be) looks. The amfAR Gala this year hosted by Queen Latifah is one of those events. Due to the highly anticipated Carine Roitfeld coordinated fashion show, the gala attracts more fashion conscious guests. Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, British Vogue contributing editor and Chopard ambassador is definitely a new favourite of mine and someone who’s looks I will excitedly anticipate moving forward. From the statement Chopard necklace and earrings to the feathers on the Tony Ward cape and the gown that ombréd from icy white to pale cool blue; everything screamed fun.

Now on to an old favourite; Jourdan Dunn. Dunn is someone who’s style I have adored for many years, so when I saw her in this huge Elie Saab taffeta gown I loved it immediately. Pale blue, full length with a chapel length train and oversized bow affixed to a wide waistband; this gown is youthful without being infantile. The choice to keep her neckline free, with the only jewellery being Boucheron bracelets, earrings and rings, allowed the volume of the off shoulders sleeves to shine without seeming overwhelming. Instead of a necklace, Dunn’s bronzed glowing skin and prominent collarbones acted as accessories to the look. In the getting ready photos she shared, her hair was away from the face rather than curled in front of her face as it was on the red carpet, which I preferred. However, this slight change, whether accidental or intentional, matched the youthful innocence of the look, like a princess that rushed to get ready for a ball. Plus, extra props for somehow keeping the gown looking relatively free of wrinkles as taffeta is a consistent crinkle criminal.

Ikram Abdi always has fun with fashion and it has been a joy to experience this with her Cannes looks. She had three equally fun looks, two from the mind of Harris Reed, (one look was Nina Ricci by Harris Reed). For me the one that slightly inches forward is her first look from Harris Reed’s AW23 collection. Now, describing this gown is somewhat impossible as it is the purest example that fashion is simply wearable art. At its core it is a full length black gown with a curved plunge neckline past the navel. But of course if you know Reed’s work it is never as simple as that. In lieu of the neckline exposing cleavage there is a large diamond gingham sequin fabric layered underneath. Then the gown continues past the shoulders, which are adorned with full sleeves, into a large, arguably foreboding deflated-heart shape style above and around the head. In short: jaw-dropping. Now, when paired with Abdi’s long limbs cradling the affixed headpiece, headscarf which blends into the headpieces and framing her face and bold wing liner; the look is the biggest ode to fashion creativity. 

Last but definitely not least we have Rawdah Mohamed in The Scorched Bride by Robert Wun. Bridal looks have recently become a favourite of celebs on the red carpet, but can easily err on the side of boring. Thankfully this look is anything but. The two layered long sleeved gown with a pleated satin underlayer, an asymmetric silk mesh top layer and matching silk organza veil is bridal but with an edge. What brought the edge you ask? Fire. Parts of the gown are finished with burn marks created using prints, dyes and other creative techniques. The hems however were actually set on fire to create that burned edge look. This look was stunning when presented as part of the debut couture AW23 collection but on Mohammed, contrasting against the bold red carpet this piece really does come alive.

What was your favourite look?