Heidi Klum attended the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Image: Instagram / heidiklum
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival made headlines even before the stars arrived, thanks to a newly clarified dress code designed to uphold "decency" and smooth operations on the red carpet.
In a statement, the festival emphasised, "This year, the Cannes Film Festival has made explicit in its charter certain rules that have long been in effect. The aim is not to regulate attire per se, but to prohibit full nudity on the red carpet, per the institutional framework of the event and French law.”
Updates to the official website further outlined restrictions, explicitly banning nudity, overly voluminous outfits, particularly those with large trains, and any attire that disrupts guest movement or seating.
Violations, the festival warned, could result in the denial of red carpet access.
But as with any fashion-forward event, some stars weren't afraid to push boundaries.
Here's a look at the celebrities who dared to defy the rules.
Heidi Klum
Supermodel Heidi Klum made an unforgettable entrance on opening day, turning heads in a vibrant pink Elie Saab gown.
Embellished with floral appliqués and featuring a dramatic, flowing train, her look was as glamorous as it was defiant, directly challenging the festival’s restriction on oversized and trailing designs.
Wan QianHui
Chinese actress Wan QianHui embraced high drama with a voluminous white gown reminiscent of billowing clouds.
The extravagant train made a bold fashion statement that flew in the face of Cannes' updated guidelines, earning her praise for her fearless red carpet presence.
Amal Clooney
Human rights lawyer and style icon Amal Clooney brought classic elegance to Cannes in a vintage Christian Dior gown by John Galliano.
While stunning, the dress’s sweetheart neckline, body-hugging fit, and sweeping train technically ran afoul of the festival's freshly stated dress code, though that didn’t stop her from stealing the spotlight.
Jennifer Lawrence
Returning to Cannes for the premiere of “Die, My Love”, Jennifer Lawrence wowed in a strapless white Dior gown.
With a pleated bodice, layered skirt, and dramatic train, the ensemble came dangerously close to violating the festival’s rules.
Ironically, co-star Robert Pattinson accidentally stepping on her train illustrated exactly why such restrictions were introduced.
Zhao Yingzi
Chinese actress Zhao Yingzi's appearance caused the most dramatic stir.
Wearing a glittering sheer silver dress with crystal embellishments, a thigh-high slit, and a metallic hooded cape, she was asked to leave the red carpet for allegedly breaching the festival’s "no exposure" policy.
IOL Lifestyle