The hidden message in Thandie Newton’s Cannes dress is very powerful

Calling Star Wars fans…

The Cannes Film Festival opened last week, with swarms of A-List celebrities taking to the red carpet on the French Riviera, to celebrate the 71st annual event’s opening night.

While the films featured covered all issues, the most political statements were made on the red carpet, with multiple actresses using their get-up to take a powerful stand.

Numerous women (and men) dressed in head to toe black, from Penelope Cruz to Georgia May Jagger – a nod to the Time’s Up movement and its stand against the mistreatment of women.

But that wasn’t where it stopped. And from Kristen Stewart’s sticking two fingers up to Cannes' no flats rule to Cannes Jury President Cate Blanchett’s stand against clothes waste, there has been a lot of political fashion statements to talk about.

The most recent A-lister to cause a storm on the Cannes red carpet is Thandie Newton, who arrived at the film festival this week for the premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Opting for custom Vivienne Westwood Couture, the 45-year-old teamed up with the designer to create a special silk print.

While it is first recognisable for being the house’s ‘Absence of Roses’ print, on closer inspection it is seen to be covered in photographs of black Star Wars character figurines.

A fun idea or an important nod?

It looks like the latter, with the addition of Christian Högstedt’s photographs actually making a fitting tribute, giving a nod to the previous black stars of the franchise as she walks the carpet as a black female lead in its latest instalment - a milestone for the Star Wars.

Yet another reason to love Thandie Newton.