The 79th Cannes Film Festival ran from May 13 to May 23, 2026, on the French Riviera. Held at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, it drew the usual parade of designers, jewelers, and their celebrity partners to the red carpet on La Croisette. This year’s jury, led by South Korean director Park Chan-wook, the first Korean jury president in the festival’s history, included several names who turned out to be style standouts themselves.
Here is a look at the celebrities who made the biggest impression on the 2026 Cannes red carpet.
Also Read: Why Cannes 2026 is so boring, and why that should terrify the film industry
Ruth Negga: Custom Dior and Saint Laurent
Ruth Negga, an Irish-Ethiopian actress serving on this year’s jury, arrived at the opening ceremony on May 12 in a custom Dior look styled by Karla Welch. The minty green fringed dress drew comparisons to 1920s Jazz Age fashion, with lace accents at the neckline and sky-high platform heels. She paired the look with Chopard jewelry.
Over the course of the festival, she cycled through a range of distinct looks, from an haute couture fringed Dior slip dress to an Ami tuxedo suit to a black-and-white tuxedo tailoring ensemble. At the Kering Women in Motion Awards, she wore Saint Laurent.
Jane Fonda: Gucci with Pomellato Jewelry
Jane Fonda, 88, attended the opening ceremony on May 12 in a black sequined Gucci gown. She accessorized with Pomellato jewelry and statement diamonds. Fonda has been a regular presence at Cannes for decades and this year’s look was among the most discussed of opening night.
The all-over sequin construction and bold proportions drew consistent coverage from fashion publications including WWD and Marie Claire.
Joan Collins: Stéphane Rolland and Opera Gloves
Dame Joan Collins attended the opening ceremony for the film ‘La Vénus Electrique’ in a look by French couturier Stéphane Rolland. The orchid-inspired dress was worn with long black opera gloves.
Collins, appearing at Cannes in connection with the film ‘My Duchess’, made the opening night list for multiple publications.
Demi Moore: Multiple Jacquemus and Gucci Looks
Demi Moore, also serving as a jury member, wore a range of outfits over the two weeks that drew wide attention. On opening day, she wore a polka dot Jacquemus dress with feather confetti detail. For the opening ceremony and the screening of ‘La Vénus Electrique’, she changed into a sequined Jacquemus gown.
Later in the festival, she appeared in an off-the-shoulder lavender Gucci gown, a dramatic shaggy fur from Gucci’s Resort 2027 collection, and a large raw-hemmed hot-pink ballgown by Canadian avant-garde label Matières Fécales, featuring an enormous bow.
Moore appeared at the ‘Paper Tiger’ screening on May 16 in the Matières Fécales look.
Cate Blanchett: Louis Vuitton and Givenchy
Cate Blanchett wore two French luxury houses during her time at the 2026 festival. She appeared in a custom black Louis Vuitton dress designed by creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, a formfitting silhouette with a short train and a statement collar. For the premiere of ‘Garance’ on May 17, she wore a backless floral Givenchy gown by Sarah Burton, finished with statement opera gloves and tassels.
Simone Ashley: Archival Alexander McQueen
Bridgerton star Simone Ashley attended the screening of ‘Karma’ on May 15 in an archival piece: a strapless red Alexander McQueen gown from the brand’s autumn/winter 2005 ready-to-wear collection. She paired the look with Chaumet jewelry. It was one of the more notable archival fashion moments of the festival.
Ashley is also known for her role in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’.
Kristen Stewart: Chanel, Twice
Kristen Stewart attended Cannes for the premiere of ‘Full Phil’, in which she stars. For the daytime photocall on May 16, she wore a transparent Chanel two-piece paired with sneakers and wet-look hair.
For the evening screening, she changed into a second Chanel look; a patterned column dress with sheer accents.
Isabelle Huppert: Red Gucci and Jil Sander
French actress Isabelle Huppert delivered two distinct looks at the 2026 festival. For one premiere, she appeared in a bright red Gucci gown with a fan-like silhouette. In a separate appearance, she opted for a black suit with a cobalt polo-neck and a cream bag, all by Jil Sander.
Colman Domingo: Custom Valentino
Actor Colman Domingo wore a caped, purple Valentino shirt to one of the festival’s screenings. The twinkling, statement piece was noted by fashion coverage from the Associated Press and Yahoo Entertainment as among the best male looks of the festival.
Alia Bhatt: Tamara Ralph Haute Couture
Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, who attended the 2026 festival as a L’Oréal Paris ambassador, wore a peach strapless gown by Tamara Ralph Haute Couture.
Hello magazine listed it as their favourite color moment on the Cannes red carpet this year. Bhatt has been building a presence at major European film festivals in recent years.
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu: Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello
‘Emily in Paris’ actress Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu wore an airy purple Saint Laurent gown by creative director Anthony Vaccarello at the opening ceremony. The look was highlighted by Emirates Woman in its opening night round-up.
The gown’s light, flowing construction set it apart from the more heavily embellished looks of the evening.
Eva Longoria: Tamara Ralph Couture
Actress and director Eva Longoria attended the screening of ‘Histoires De La Nuit’ on May 22. She wore a white couture gown by Tamara Ralph. The look was covered by multiple outlets as part of the final stretch of the festival’s red carpet season.
Maika Monroe: Ashi Studio
Actress Maika Monroe wore a sleek gold dress by Ashi Studio to the opening ceremony on May 12. CNN Style flagged the look as one of the standout moments from the first night. The full-length sequined design drew comparisons to the all-sequins trend visible across several celebrity looks that evening.
Barbara Palvin: Miu Miu
Model Barbara Palvin used the Cannes red carpet to announce her pregnancy alongside her husband, actor Dylan Sprouse. She wore a cap-sleeved blue gown by Miu Miu. Hello magazine described it as a Disney princess moment.
The announcement made the fashion coverage secondary to the personal news, but the Miu Miu gown was widely remarked upon.