Cannes Film Festival Bans Nudity on the Red Carpet: A Turning Point for the ‘Naked’ Dress Trend

The Cannes Film Festival, long regarded as the pinnacle of cinematic glamour and fashion, is taking a bold stance this year, nudity is officially off-limits on the red carpet. With just 24 hours to go before the festival’s grand opening, organisers quietly amended the event’s official dress code to state, “Nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival.” The move comes “for decency reasons,” but it’s sending shockwaves through the fashion and entertainment world.

This change directly challenges one of the red carpet’s most headline-making trends of recent years: the ‘naked’ dress. Defined by sheer fabrics, strategic cutouts, and the illusion of bareness, these dresses have walked a fine line between bold fashion and provocative performance. Now, at Cannes at least, that line has been formally drawn.

The Rise of the Naked Dress

The naked dress has long been a staple for celebrities aiming to make a splash. From Cher in the ‘70s to Beyoncé and Rihanna in the 2010s, the trend has evolved, but its mission has remained consistent: to command attention. In recent years, the Cannes red carpet has been home to some particularly striking examples.

Last year, Bella Hadid turned heads in a sheer Saint Laurent gown with a transparent halter-neck top. Photographer and influencer Nadia Lee Cohen donned a slinky see through knit dress, also by Saint Laurent. Actress Vicky Krieps chose a boudoir-inspired, transparent Armani Privé gown. These looks were seen as statements of body confidence and boundary pushing fashion. But under the new rules, all of these could potentially be violations.

An Ambiguous New Line

What remains unclear is how Cannes defines nudity. Is it full transparency, like a see-through dress without undergarments? Is it the visible outline of a breast or nipple? Or could even a printed nude illusion, like those seen in Jean-Paul Gaultier’s 1990s designs, be deemed inappropriate?

This ambiguity raises serious questions for stylists and stars preparing for the event. The fashion world thrives on pushing limits, and red carpet events often serve as runways for high-concept art. But the new rules suggest Cannes wants a return to elegance and discretion, possibly a rebuke to what some see as a move from fashion-forward to shock-focused.

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Why the Ban, and Why Now?

While organisers cite “decency,” the decision may have deeper roots. The shift appears to reflect growing concern over red carpet looks that overshadow the events themselves. One high-profile example was Bianca Censori’s Grammys appearance earlier this year, where she wore a nearly nonexistent mesh dress while accompanying husband Ye (formerly Kanye West). The dress, criticised by some as pure exhibitionism, might have been the tipping point.

There’s also a cultural dimension to this move. With Cannes being a global platform, its red carpet visuals are broadcast to millions. A desire to avoid controversy and maintain a certain decorum could be driving this more conservative turn.

Additionally, a second amendment to the dress code bans “voluminous” outfits with large trains, a direct hit at dramatic couture and oversized gowns. Perhaps Cannes is aiming to put the spotlight back on cinema and away from spectacle.

Impact on Fashion and Celebrity Culture

This ban could mark a broader turning point in red carpet culture. As celebrities and their stylists scramble to adjust, fashion houses may also rethink what constitutes “event dressing.” For years, the naked dress has been a tool to garner media attention—glamorous, sensual, and headline-ready. But now, designers may need to shift focus toward subtler forms of allure.

For celebrities, this could mean a return to classic elegance. Think Grace Kelly over glittery shock value. And for Cannes, it might help reposition the event as a high-style celebration of film rather than a battleground for fashion provocation.

Still, it’s likely we’ll see designers try to find creative workarounds. Illusion mesh, intricate layering, and sculptural design may provide pathways to push boundaries while staying within the rules.

A Fashionable Reset or Restriction?

The debate is far from over. Critics of the ban may argue that it stifles creativity and polices women’s bodies under the guise of “decency.” Supporters may see it as a necessary boundary in an age where red carpet moments increasingly lean toward performance over taste.

One thing is clear: this year’s Cannes red carpet will be remembered not only for who wore what but for what was no longer allowed to be worn. Whether this move marks a short-term correction or a long-term shift in fashion’s relationship with exposure and expression, the conversation around body, fashion, and freedom of style has only just begun.