The best Cannes Film Festival dresses of all time

Every year the rich and beautiful descend on the French town of Cannes for the eponymous film festival. Check out our pick of the most memorable dresses over the years.

(Image credit: 2021 Lionel Hahn)

The Cannes Film Festival is finally back, with an IRL red carpet. The likes of Jodie Turner-Smith and Bella Hadid have pulled out all the stops in bright and colourful dresses.

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, this year we're expecting an impressive selection of glamorous gowns from the annual two-week event, as the fashion world's lead designers dress the film world's leading ladies.

Until then, we're looking back at some of the most incredible, and iconic, fashion moments of all time- and it's safe to say there have been plenty over the years.

It all kicked off in 1953 when Brigitte Bardot wore a classic flared dress with fur stole. Catherine Deneuve was another Cannes regular, and wowed us in 1966 with a sequin dress, gloves and a bow in her hair.

Of course, who can forget when Johnny Depp and Kate Moss made their mark at the event as the ultimate 90s couple way back in 1998? Kate in a signature little black cocktail dress (which she later re-invented as part of her Topshop collection), complete with feather neckline and Johnny in an easy Tux and grey shirt combo - they set the bar for years to come.

One of our all-time favourite moments has to be Princess Diana though, who slipped into a beautiful floor-grazing powder blue gown in 1987, switching things-up the next day in a chic printed dress and white blazer combo.

In the noughties, Claudia Schiffer dazzled in a low cut gold sequin gown, and we still love Jennifer Aniston's laid-back tie-neck dress - she and Brad Pitt were the ultimate California couple that year.

More recently, the likes of Diane Kruger and Nicole Kidman (arguably the Cannes queen) ensured the glamour remained of the highest level, working frothy tulle creations and sleek column gowns for their turn on the red carpet.

Yes, it's fair to say Cannes Film Festival is one seriously stylish affair. Click through to view the most iconic Cannes dresses of all time...

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton

(Image credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal

(Image credit: Lionel Hahn)

Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Paradis

The Chanel muse in Chanel.
(Image credit: WireImage)

The Chanel muse in Chanel.

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid

In a dramatic Schiaparelli Couture gown.
(Image credit: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

In a dramatic Schiaparelli Couture gown.

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard

(Image credit: WireImage)

Jodie Turner-Smith, 2021

Jodie Turner-Smith, 2021

Turning heads in Gucci.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Turning heads in Gucci.

Chiara Ferragni

Chiara Ferragni

In a neon Giambattista Valli dress.
(Image credit: Daniele Venturelli)

In a neon Giambattista Valli dress.

Didi Stone, 2021

Didi Stone, 2021

Ethereal in a Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini gown.
(Image credit: WireImage)

Ethereal in a Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini gown.

Bella Hadid, 2021

Bella Hadid, 2021

Wearing a vintage halterneck dress, from Jean Paul Gaultier's spring/summer 2002 collection.

Wearing a vintage halterneck dress, from Jean Paul Gaultier's spring/summer 2002 collection.

Camille Cotton, 2021

Camille Cotton, 2021

Chic in Christian Dior.
(Image credit: WireImage)

Chic in Christian Dior.

Jourdan Dunn in 2017

Jourdan Dunn in 2017

Wearing Elie Saab

Wearing Elie Saab

Diane Kruger, 2012

Diane Kruger, 2012

In a gorgeous plunging black gown.

In a gorgeous plunging black gown.

Nicole Kidman in 2017

Nicole Kidman in 2017

Wearing Calvin Klein
(Image credit: Tony Barson)

Wearing Calvin Klein

Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning, 2017

Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning, 2017

At the premiere of the film The Beguiled in competition at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

At the premiere of the film The Beguiled in competition at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Guan Xiao Tong, 2017

Guan Xiao Tong, 2017

The actress attends the 70th Cannes film festival.

The actress attends the 70th Cannes film festival.

Penelope Cruz, 2019

Penelope Cruz, 2019

Penelope Cruz arrives for the premiere of ‘Pain And Glory‘ during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2019. She wears Chanel. (Photo by Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Corbis via Getty Images)

Penelope Cruz arrives for the premiere of ‘Pain And Glory‘ during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2019. She wears Chanel. (Photo by Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images)

Eva Longoria, 2019

Eva Longoria, 2019

Margot Robbie, 2019

Margot Robbie, 2019

Wearing a Chanel tunic and trousers.

Wearing a Chanel tunic and trousers.

Sienna Miller, 2015

Sienna Miller, 2015

Showcasing her trademark boho style.
(Image credit: Venturelli)

Showcasing her trademark boho style.

Carey Mulligan, 2013

Carey Mulligan, 2013

British actress Carey Mulligan holds an umbrella on May 15, 2013 as she arrives for the screening of the film "The Great Gatsby" ahead of the opening of the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. She wears Dior.
(Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

British actress Carey Mulligan holds an umbrella on May 15, 2013 as she arrives for the screening of the film "The Great Gatsby" ahead of the opening of the 66th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. She wears Dior.

Diane Kruger, 2012

Diane Kruger, 2012

Jury member actress Diane Kruger attends the Closing Ceremony and "Therese Desqueyroux" premiere during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festivalon May 27, 2012 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jury member actress Diane Kruger attends the Closing Ceremony and "Therese Desqueyroux" premiere during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festivalon May 27, 2012 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Halle Berry, 2006

Halle Berry, 2006

Reem Acra is responsible for this flawless plunge neck gown shown off to its full potential by former Miss World, Halle Berry.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Reem Acra is responsible for this flawless plunge neck gown shown off to its full potential by former Miss World, Halle Berry.

Angelina Jolie, 2008

Angelina Jolie, 2008

A heavily-pregnant Angelina Jolie proudly showed off her baby bump at 2008's film festival, dazzling in a moss green floor length creation by Max Azaria.
(Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

A heavily-pregnant Angelina Jolie proudly showed off her baby bump at 2008's film festival, dazzling in a moss green floor length creation by Max Azaria.

Charlize Theron, 2004

Charlize Theron, 2004

Channelling her inner mermaid, Charlize Theron stepped out in an aqua satin gown by Christian Dior in 2004. With a central, thigh-skimming slit, and elegant flowing train, she certainly knew how to steal the show!

Channelling her inner mermaid, Charlize Theron stepped out in an aqua satin gown by Christian Dior in 2004. With a central, thigh-skimming slit, and elegant flowing train, she certainly knew how to steal the show!

Cameron Diaz, 2002

Cameron Diaz, 2002

Cameron Diaz and Leonardo Dicaprio arriving at the "Gangs Of New York" special preview screening during the the 55th Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, France. May 20, 2002.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Cameron Diaz and Leonardo Dicaprio arriving at the "Gangs Of New York" special preview screening during the the 55th Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, France. May 20, 2002.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, 2004

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, 2004

Before Brangelina, there was Brennifer. The couple took to the red carpet for the premiere of Troy in 2004, with Jen opting for this sleek white halterneck dress, with diamond panels and a sexy fishtail.

Before Brangelina, there was Brennifer. The couple took to the red carpet for the premiere of Troy in 2004, with Jen opting for this sleek white halterneck dress, with diamond panels and a sexy fishtail.

Nicole Kidman, 2003

Nicole Kidman, 2003

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Claudia Schiffer, Andie MC Dowell and Gong Li, 2000

Claudia Schiffer, Andie MC Dowell and Gong Li, 2000

An iconic line-up.
(Image credit: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

An iconic line-up.

Kate Moss and Johnny Depp, 1998

Kate Moss and Johnny Depp, 1998

Don't they make a beautiful couple? In the Nineties, Johnny Depp and Kate Moss were Hollywood's hottest pairing. They looked pretty loved up in Cannes in 1998, in matching black ensembles and chiseled features.
(Image credit: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Don't they make a beautiful couple? In the Nineties, Johnny Depp and Kate Moss were Hollywood's hottest pairing. They looked pretty loved up in Cannes in 1998, in matching black ensembles and chiseled features.

Prince Charles And Princess Diana, 1987

Prince Charles And Princess Diana, 1987

The people's princess also made an appearance in one of her famous show-stopping dresses - this strapless pale blue pleated design with a ribbon tie at the waist.
(Image credit: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

The people's princess also made an appearance in one of her famous show-stopping dresses - this strapless pale blue pleated design with a ribbon tie at the waist.

Catherine Deneuve, 1966

Catherine Deneuve, 1966

Catherine Deneuve and husband David Bailey look the very definition of cool in this cute snap from 1966. Check out her elbow length gloves and ribbon in her hair - tres chic!
(Image credit: Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Catherine Deneuve and husband David Bailey look the very definition of cool in this cute snap from 1966. Check out her elbow length gloves and ribbon in her hair - tres chic!

Brigitte Bardot, 1953

Brigitte Bardot, 1953

(Image credit: Getty Images)
Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.