Description: Cannes 2026 – Source: Own work Author: John Sears .License: CC BY 4.0
The 79th Festival de Cannes ended Saturday night at the Palais des Festivals, and as usual, the Palme d’Or wasn’t the only prize everyone wanted. The closing red carpet turned into a masterclass in how to do Riviera glamour in 2026: less naked-dress shock, more couture craft, archival pulls, and jewelry that could fund a film.
Here are the stars, designers, and accessories that defined the night — and will be copied all summer.
1. AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN — THE SHOWSTOPPER
Wearing: Cheney Chan Couture, white sculptural pantsuit with feathered boa and structured shoulders
Shoes & bag: custom Gianvito Rossi white pumps, no bag (hands-free power move)
Why it worked: Aishwarya closed Cannes twice — first at the premiere, then at the ceremony — in the same Hong Kong designer, but the closing look was pure avant-garde tuxedo. The feathered white Cheney Chan ensemble balanced elegance and modernity, and marked a bold shift from her usual mermaid gowns. She walked with daughter Aaradhya, who made her red-carpet debut beside her.
2. PENÉLOPE CRUZ — ARCHIVAL DRAMA
Wearing: archival Georges Chakra (black-and-white feathered gown with sweeping train) — later changed into Chanel Resort 2027 ruffled black dress with scarf belt for the after-party
Jewelry: Pasquale Bruni high-jewelry diamond chandelier earrings
Shoes: classic Chanel slingbacks
Penélope gave us two iconic moments in one night. The Chakra archival piece — dramatic, feathered, cinematic — was pure Old Hollywood, while the Chanel look she wore with Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi showed how to make resort feel red-carpet ready.
3. EVA LONGORIA — GOLDEN GODDESS
Wearing: Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 — gold sequined gown with structured bodice and thigh-high slit
Jewelry: Damiani diamond necklace and cuffs
Shoes: Santoni metallic strappy sandals
Bag: none — the slit did the talking
Longoria, a Cannes veteran, proved why she’s a closing-night fixture. The Elie Saab shimmer caught every camera flash, and the Damiani jewels kept it timeless, not disco.
4. BELLA HADID — POWDER PINK PERFECTION
Wearing: custom Prada powder-pink sheath dress with matching stole and micro-beading
Jewelry: minimal — Boucheron diamond studs
Shoes: Prada satin pumps
Flanked by Julianne Moore in red, Bella’s quiet Prada moment was the most copied look on TikTok within an hour. The beaded detailing was only visible up close — a reminder that Cannes rewards craft over flash.
5. CATE BLANCHETT — DOUBLE DUTY
Look 1: backless floral Givenchy with tassels
Look 2: shiny Givenchy floral for the amfAR gala
Blanchett, who presented the Palme d’Or with Tilda Swinton, leaned into Givenchy’s new romantic direction. The tassels moved like seaweed on the steps — editorial, not costume.
6. JULIANNE MOORE & CARLA BRUNI — RED VS WHITE
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Moore: strapless scarlet gown (Armani Privé) with vintage Harry Winston diamonds
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Bruni: Roberto Cavalli white “tiger” ballgown with sculpted bodice
Together they created the night’s best color-blocking photo op.
7. ISABELLE HUPPERT — FRENCH FIRE
Wearing: Gucci bright-red fanned gown (some outlets listed Loewe for the ceremony — she changed twice)
Huppert, 73, proved red is ageless. The fanned silhouette gave her movement without a train to trip on.
8. COLMAN DOMINGO — MENSWEAR WINNER
Wearing: Valentino — caped, twinkly purple shirt over tailored trousers
Shoes: Christian Louboutin velvet loafers
Domingo brought theater to the men’s carpet and was unanimously in every “best dressed” list.
9. RUTH NEGGA — TUXEDO SHARPNESS
Wearing: black-and-white tailored tuxedo with satin peak lapels (Saint Laurent)
Jewelry: Cartier juste un clou
Shoes: pointed patent pumps
Proof that a perfect tuxedo still beats a ballgown.
10. MARION COTILLARD — SHEER WITH A SECRET
Wearing: sheer black Dior Couture with hidden constellation embroidery
Cotillard’s dress looked simple from afar — up close, the embroidery told the story of her film Roma Elastica.
11. DUA LIPA — JUNGLE FEVER
Wearing: optical-illusion jungle-print dress with bra-baring cutout and hip-high slit
Shoes: knee-high dark green lace-up boots
Bag: feathered clutch
Not closing-night, but the after-party look everyone screen-grabbed.
12. DEMI MOORE & ZOE SALDANA — THE VETERANS
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Moore: Balenciaga archival column with statement ear cuffs
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Saldana: custom Louis Vuitton liquid sequins
THE TAKEAWAYS FOR SUMMER 2026
Designers to watch: Cheney Chan (the breakout), Elie Saab, Georges Chakra archival, and Prada’s quiet luxury. Valentino menswear and Givenchy florals dominated.
Jewelry trend: Pasquale Bruni, Damiani, and Boucheron beat the big French houses — stars chose Italian craftsmanship.
Shoes & bags: Santoni, Gianvito Rossi, and feathered clutches. Noticeably, most women skipped bags entirely — phones went to assistants.
The rule Cannes set: elegance is back, but with personality. No more identical naked dresses. The most elegant stars — Rai, Cruz, Longoria, Blanchett — chose structure, story, and a designer with something to say.
Expect these exact silhouettes at Venice in September: feathered tuxedos, powder pink Prada, and archival Chakra is already on every stylist’s request list.
