This morning, the 78th Cannes Film Festival opened under the picturesque skies of the French Riviera. The annual Met Gala—specifically the 2023 event—was a huge moment in contemporary cinema and fashion history. For the first time in its history, this year’s festival included a new, unnecessary clause banning nudity, a move that has received much press and outrage. While the Cannes Film Festival has long been known for its glamorous red carpet events and celebrity appearances, this latest policy aims to establish clearer guidelines regarding attire at the prestigious festival.
Cannes press officers clarified that the festival has made explicit in its charter certain rules that have long been in effect concerning nudity. Furthermore, the statement explicitly mentions that nudity would not be accepted on the red carpet. It goes for all other parts of the festival. This move introduces a completely different approach to controlling the wave of celebrity brought on by festival fashion. It pushes back against the current trend of sheer and “nude dresses” that have dominated red carpets around the world.
Notably, the festival has been a stage where high-profile celebrities like Bella Hadid, Naomi Campbell, and Kendall Jenner have often pushed the boundaries of fashion by flashing skin. To be fair, many A-listers have skirted around current dress codes. They usually come out and take very fast pictures on the Palais steps, demonstrating blatant disrespect for hard and fast rules. The festival’s security team is infamous for heavy-handed enforcement. This year they have already refused entry to women for not wearing heels, showcasing their dubious moral authority over the sartorial choices of this rich man’s playground’s invite-only attendees.
In light of this new restriction, Cannes officials explained, “The aim is not to regulate attire per se, but to prohibit full nudity on the red carpet, in accordance with the institutional framework of the event and French law.” Ultimately, this clarification shows a prioritization of order and decorum with an intention to still provide space for personal and artistic expression as appropriate.
The festival has long adhered to a “no-shirt-no-service” policy, ensuring that attendees adhere to formal dress codes, especially during evening premieres at the Grand Théâtre Lumière. Such policies are a testament to Cannes’ desire to maintain its reputation as one of the most high profile film festivals in the world.
Radical and provocative fashion statements are stealing the spotlight. Bianca Censori’s somewhat scandalous get-up at this year’s Grammys kicked off a reconsideration of just what exactly should be deemed appropriate on the red carpet. Fashionistas and film fest curators are still arguing over the line between artfulness and propriety. This very debate continues to spark fresh voices in the fashion industry.
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