The jury remains undecided on whether Halle Berry's wardrobe adjustment for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival was truly necessary. Nevertheless, the 58-year-old actress played it cautiously, ensuring she adhered to all regulations while serving on this year's prestigious jury. Initially intending to dazzle in a creation by Indian designer Gurav Gupta on the opening ceremony's red carpet on May 13, Halle was compelled to revise her plans when the festival updated its dress code, introducing a ban on "voluminous attire, particularly those adorned with extensive trains," according to the festival's official website.
"I had a stunning dress by Gupta that I'm unfortunately unable to wear tonight due to its over-the-top train," Halle revealed to Variety during a press conference. "I refuse to defy the rules." Opting instead for a chic black and white striped trapeze gown by Jacquemus, she added, "I had to make a swift adjustment."
Cannes imposed another regulation to its dress code this year: no nudity, which Halle deemed "probably a commendable rule as well." However, her ensemble at the 2025 Met Gala leaned more towards the daring side—a look that would likely be prohibited on the Cannes red carpet. After an eight-year hiatus, the Never Let Go actress made a triumphant return to the annual fashion spectacle, arriving at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in a sparkling gown adorned with sheer cutouts from her waist down to her knees.
This dress was her final selection from two captivating options crafted by designer LaQuan Smith. "The dresses were breathtaking," Halle told E! News. "I was torn between the two. I even asked LaQuan, ‘Which one do you prefer I wear?’ So, I chose his favorite."
For Halle, who co-parents her 17-year-old daughter Nahla with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry and her 11-year-old son Maceo-Robert with ex-husband Olivier Martinez, deciding on an outfit is far from stressful. She understands that her worth transcends her appearance or wardrobe choices. "It might feel gratifying to have all eyes on you," she confessed to Marie Claire in September, "but for me, it's always been an empty victory because I had no control over how I presented myself here." She further emphasized, "I've always been aware that I'm more than just this face and this body."
