Cannes 2026: The Red Carpet Opens with Couture, Clashes, and a Jury’s Multiple Appearances
From Catherine Deneuve’s satin co-ords to Demi Moore’s sequinned Jacquemus, the 2026 festival kicks off with a diverse mix of high fashion and smart-casual defiance on the Croisette.
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival red carpet has commenced, marking the start of the annual event with a focus on high-profile fashion statements from international celebrities and industry figures. The opening nights have showcased a diverse array of styles, ranging from traditional couture gowns to smart-casual ensembles that challenge the festival’s dress codes. Notable attendees included veteran actors Catherine Deneuve, Diane Kruger, Isabelle Huppert, Jane Fonda, and Joan Collins, alongside Heidi Klum and director Chloé Zhao.
Catherine Deneuve presented a sophisticated take on the co-ord in a satin crepe jacket and matching skirt from Saint Laurent. Diane Kruger opted for a sweeping Givenchy cape dress, while Isabelle Huppert mastered theatrical dressing in a look by Demna for Gucci. These established stars set a tone of refined elegance, with styles ranging from couture gowns to smart-casual ensembles that reflected the varied moods of the festival’s programme.
Jury member Demi Moore was a prominent figure, presenting multiple looks throughout the event. She appeared in a crinkly Gucci dress for the screening of Fatherland, a whisper-thin lavender Gucci gown for the premiere of A Woman’s Life, and a ‘confetti’ dress from Jacquemus. For the opening ceremony, Moore dazzled in a sequinned Jacquemus dress accessorised with five strands of diamonds from Chopard, highlighting the luxury brands’ strong presence on the carpet.
Other attendees featured Jane Fonda in a sparkly Gucci gown at the premiere of La Vénus Électrique, and 92-year-old Joan Collins in a statement ruffled gown from Stéphane Rolland for her return to the Croisette. Director Chloé Zhao chose a knitted lace dress by Gabriela Hearst for the opening ceremony, noting the freedom to be playful without the pressure of representing a film. Heidi Klum also made an appearance in a glamorous, peach-coloured Elie Saab gown.
The fashion narrative was not limited to strict couture. Seth Rogen nailed a smart-casual brief with tailored trousers and an unbuttoned blazer, while director Jane Schoenbrun juxtaposed a formal tux jacket with a puffball skirt. French actor Vimala Pons leaned into gorpcore with Louis Vuitton cargo shorts, and actress Ruth Negga wore a green Dior dress with lace trim. The event demonstrated a clear commercial and cultural shift towards individual expression, with major luxury brands such as Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Gucci, Jacquemus, and Chopard leading the visual discourse.