James Johnson
Despite strict new fashion guidelines at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, the supermodel made a bold statement in a voluminous pink floral gown, reigniting debate around fashion freedom and formality on cinema’s grandest stage.
In an unmistakably bold return to the Cannes red carpet, Heidi Klum made headlines on May 13, 2025, as she stepped out for the opening ceremony and Partir Un Jour (Leave One Day) screening at the 78th Cannes Film Festival — not for breaking fashion boundaries, but for breaking the festival’s newly reinforced dress code.
Wearing an extravagant floral gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, Klum was a vision in cascading layers of pink organza crafted to mimic delicate flower petals. The strapless design featured a thigh-high slit and an opulent train that swept across the carpet, undeniably violating the festival’s newly stated sartorial rules.
To complete the look, the 51-year-old supermodel paired her dramatic dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and opted for a subtly glam aesthetic: smoky eyes, soft blush, and nude lips. However, no amount of polish could overshadow the gown’s sheer size — something the festival organizers had specifically warned against.
Dress Code Drama: Cannes Tightens the Reins
The Cannes Film Festival, long revered as a celebration of both cinema and couture, has this year reinforced a more conservative, logistical approach to red carpet fashion. A new update to the official dress code restricts “voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater.” Additionally, the code now explicitly prohibits nudity “in accordance with the institutional framework of the event and French law.”
Although the changes are framed as a continuation of longstanding tradition, the enforcement of these guidelines appears more rigid in 2025. The Cannes FAQ website confirms that security teams reserve the right to deny red carpet access to individuals whose attire obstructs movement or compromises theater seating logistics.
Despite these stipulations, Klum, an America’s Got Talent judge and international style icon, faced no reported objections from festival staff and made her entrance with characteristic grace.
Not the Only Offender
Klum wasn’t alone in her fashion defiance. Chinese actress Wan QianHui also arrived at the Partir Un Jour screening in a dramatic cream tulle ball gown with voluminous ruffled layers and a trailing skirt that clearly contravened the updated regulations. Like Klum, Wan QianHui was not stopped at the carpet entrance, sparking questions about the festival’s enforcement consistency.
A Divided Red Carpet
The new rules have already prompted practical dilemmas for stars and stylists. Jury member Halle Berry revealed she had to swap out a showstopping Gaurav Gupta design at the last minute due to its oversized train.
“I had an amazing dress by [Gaurav] Gupta that I cannot wear tonight because it’s too big of a train,” Berry told Variety. “I’m not going to break the rules. The nudity part is also probably a good rule.”
The dress code — while aiming to streamline logistics and align with French decency laws — is drawing mixed reactions from industry insiders and fashion watchers. Cannes, after all, is known not only for its cinematic prestige but also for its high-fashion provocations, from Milla Jovovich’s sheer Jean Paul Gaultier moment in 1997 to Bella Hadid’s daring Saint Laurent statement in recent years.
Finding the Fashion Middle Ground
For now, the festival’s official guidance allows for “a little black dress, a cocktail dress, a dark-colored pantsuit, a dressy top with black pants; a black or navy blue suit with bow tie or dark-colored tie.” Shoes must be “elegant,” but sneakers remain off-limits.
As the festival continues through May 24, one question lingers: Will more stars challenge the fashion restrictions in the name of self-expression, or will Cannes 2025 mark a return to red carpet restraint?
In the case of Heidi Klum, it’s clear that style — especially when it’s draped in pink petals and couture confidence — doesn’t always play by the rules.
