Prudish Cannes Film Festival is mad to ban naked dresses – red carpet glam is more thrilling than the pretentious films
THERE’S a new dress code at Cannes Film Festival — and it’s PG-rated.
The annual highlight, which opened yesterday and sees films’ finest flock to France to preview new movies, has told attendees to cover up.
Visitors to the invitation-only bash have been warned: “For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival.”
For a country renowned for being the leaders in sexual liberation and a festival that is famed for pushing the boundaries in film, it’s an odd move.
But times have changed.
Films have lost their oomph, with the brakes put on high-speed car chases and sex scenes understandably swerved in the wake of the Me Too movement.
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But the pretentious film event is nothing without the glamorous women who draw the world’s attention to the festival with their phenomenal frocks.
Think Cannes and Bella Hadid springs to mind — topless with a pair of gold-plated lungs hanging around her neck to shield her modesty in that jaw-dropping dress in 2021.
That standout Schiaparelli gown is cemented in the minds of many, and in fashion history.
And there have been countless other memorable moments at this 12-day do in the French Riviera.
Lupita Nyong’o wore a beautiful Dior gown in 2018 with a sheer bodice that wouldn’t get past security.
Naomi Campbell chose a black sequin striped gown that revealed her undies last year — but now it would see her booted off the red carpet.
One of France’s most celebrated screen stars, Isabelle Huppert — who has twice won Cannes Best Actress — wore a stunning black lace gown with mesh inserts in 2023.
What would organisers say to her today? “Hold it, love. You can’t go out looking like that.”
Sacrebleu!
What women wear is their choice, and so what if their outfits are a tad risque?
After all, it’s just another form of art and expression — something Cannes claims to acknowledge.
France is the home of style, so for it to ban stylish dresses that are meticulously created by talented design teams is a bit, well, sad.
And what’s next — no nudes in the Louvre? Venus de Milo needs a dressing gown?
The control of women’s outfits feels like a big step in the wrong direction. What difference does a little flash of flesh here and there really make?
When Florence Pugh wore that bright pink, sheer dress by Valentino in 2022 she was called vulgar, but hit back, asking: “How can my nipples offend you that much?”
Shouldn’t we be celebrating the confident women who take pride in their body and look amazing as well as the artistry that goes into making their fashion choices — not banning them.
Pugh concluded her argument by saying, “Grow up” and she’s right.
You could argue that policing ladies’ outfits will put the emphasis back on the films, not the fashion. But without it, what’s left?
A few slow-paced indie films no one will ever watch?
Unfortunately for the snobby film folk, this red carpet isn’t the side show it is the show.
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The French may have lost their Ooh La La but slapping a ban on “naked” dresses won’t kill the trend — but could be the nail in the coffin for this historic festival.
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