Heidi Klum graced the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival with a flair for rule-bending elegance. On May 13, at the screening and opening ceremony of "Partir Un Jour" (Leave One Day) during the 78th edition of the prestigious festival, the supermodel made a grand entrance in an over-the-top floral Elie Saab gown that defied the newly enforced dress code.
Klum donned an Elie Saab floral illusion gown that stopped traffic. The mesmerizing creation was crafted from layer upon layer of pink organza, meticulously cut to resemble delicate floral petals. The strapless bodice and a thigh-high slit on one side flowed into a carpet-sweeping train, adding an air of drama to her ensemble. To complement her gown, Klum accessorized with sparkling Lorraine Schwartz Jewelry.
The 51-year-old opted for a minimalist glam look, enhancing her eyes with a smoky eye effect and black eyeliner while keeping her cheeks and lips au naturel.
Though Klum's Elie Saab gown undoubtedly turned heads, it clashed with the Cannes Film Festival's new dress code due to its voluminous silhouette and extended train. According to the festival's official FAQ website, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet and elsewhere within the festival premises for reasons of decency. Furthermore, the regulations specify that "voluminous outfits, particularly those with large trains, which impede the smooth flow of guests and complicate seating arrangements in theaters, are not allowed."
Klum wasn't the only one to rock a voluminous gown with a floor-grazing train at the "Partir Un Jour" screening. Wan QianHui also stepped onto the same red carpet in a cream tulle ball gown adorned with voluminous, ruffled layers. Similarly, this gown violated the festival's dress code, boasting an eye-catching skirt that cascaded into an expansive train.
This year, the Cannes Film Festival explicitly outlined rules that have long been in place in its charter. The aim is not to police attire but to prohibit full nudity on the red carpet, in line with the event's institutional framework and French law, as stated in new festival instructions.
While Klum, who serves as a judge on "America's Got Talent," wasn't intercepted by security, the Cannes FAQ website warns that their team reserves the right to deny entry to individuals whose attire could disrupt the movement of other guests or complicate seating arrangements in screening rooms.
Permitted attire for this year's Cannes Film Festival includes a little black dress, a cocktail dress, a dark-colored pantsuit, a dressy top paired with black pants, or a black or navy blue suit with a bow tie or dark tie. Attendees can also arrive in elegant shoes and sandals, whether heeled or flat, but sneakers are strictly prohibited.
Halle Berry, a jury member at Cannes this year, revealed that the new dress code prompted a last-minute change to her red carpet look. "I had an incredible dress by [Gaurav] Gupta that I couldn't wear tonight because it had too big of a train," Berry told Variety. "I'm not going to break the rules. The nudity rule is probably a good one too."
