The most viral looks from Cannes Film Festival you might have missed

By Lara Owen, PA

It seems stars are leaning back into the maximalism of the 2010s with colour, shimmer and statement details drenching red carpets.

Long gone are the minimal, ‘quiet luxury’ looks of the early 2020s, because at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, celebrities graced the red carpet in oversized bows, heavy embellishment and high-impact jewellery.

It wasn’t just the gowns that were turning heads – extravagant jewellery, wild hair and showstopping finishes complemented the fashion.

So from Cara Delevingne’s dramatic new look to Barbara Palvin’s surprise pregnancy announcement – here are the viral looks from Cannes Film Festival you might have missed.

Demi Moore

Jury member Demi Moore attends the premiere of Paper Tiger at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Saturday May 16, 2026. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire
Demi Moore chose a show-stopping hot-pink gown (Doug Peters/PA)

Always one willing to sport a standout look, actress Demi Moore once again proved reliable on the Cannes red carpet.

The Substance star’s most striking appearance came in a hot-pink Matières Fécales gown, structured around an oversized bow.

That wasn’t her most memorable look, however, also stepping out in a wispy lavender Gucci gown earlier in the week.

Jury member Demi Moore attends the 'A Woman's Life' premiere at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Demi Moore at the ‘A Woman’s Life’ premiere wearing Gucci (Doug Peters/PA)

This softer silhouette marked a noticeable shift away from the more embellished Schiaparelli designs she’s recently favoured on red carpets.

Bella Hadid

But not all standout looks relied on colour. Model Bella Hadid wore a bespoke Prada design for the Garance premiere, opting for a strapless satin dress with a matching shrug.

Bella Hadid attends the premiere of Garance at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Sunday May 17, 2026. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire
Bella Hadid in Prada (Doug Peters/PA)

With her hair slicked back and a pair of glittering diamond earrings, make-up artist Nadia Tayeh gave Hadid ultra-bronzed skin and silver shimmer eyeshadow, leading fans across social media to draw comparisons to the glamour of the early 2000s, making the nostalgic look viral.

79th Cannes Film Festival
Bella Hadid wearing custom Schiaparelli (Doug Peters/PA) Photo by Doug Peters

For her second red carpet appearance, Hadid once again leaned into monochromatic glamour. She wore a custom Schiaparelli gown made up of ivory trompe l’oeil lace with a dramatic plunging neckline and mermaid train. According to the brand, the dress took 22,160 hours of embroidery work to create.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne debuted her new look at Cannes, moving away from her usual blonde waves and showcasing a darker, curly hairstyle with a full fringe in place.

Cara Delevingne during the photocall for the film Club Kid at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Friday May 15, 2026. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire
Cara Delevingne rocked a sharply tailored Tom Ford pinstripe suit (Doug Peters/PA)

She paired the new look with a pinstriped suit from Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann, worn with a sheer blouse for the Club Kid photocall.

Cara Delevingne during the photocall for the film Club Kid at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Friday May 15, 2026. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire
Delevingne debuted her new brunette curly locks (Doug Peters/PA)

While the combination of tailoring and transparency gave the outfit a sharper, less conventional edge.

Gillian Anderson

Actress Gillian Anderson turned heads in a beige Miu Miu midi-dress with appliqué florals, having walked for the designer’s Fashion Week show back in March.

Gillian Anderson in Cannes wearing Miu Miu
Gillian Anderson in Miu Miu (Doug Peters/PA)

However, it was her hair that drew perhaps more attention than the dress, with big Carrie Bradshaw-esque curls adding volume and texture – a diversion from her usual straight or pulled-back hair.

Gillian Anderson in Cannes
Gillian Anderson’s curls drew comparisons to Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw’s hair (Doug Peters/PA)

Her blonde curly hair was the work of hairstylist Paul Jones, who opted for maximum volume and texture that emphasises the fullness of the hair. He also added a slightly unruly, almost airy effect that created an even more weightless and ethereal look.

Joan Collins

This year also marked a return to Cannes for Joan Collins, who has not walked the Croisette in nearly a decade.

Joan Collins during the opening ceremony and premiere of the film 'The Electric Kiss' at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Tuesday May 12, 2026.
Joan Collins during the opening ceremony and premiere of the film ‘The Electric Kiss’ (Doug Peters/PA)

The 92-year-old wore a white ruffled gown by Stéphane Rolland, with the look finished using opera gloves and statement jewellery. The styling leaned into classic eveningwear, while having a sustained focus on structure and traditional glamour, fit for a Hollywood veteran.

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse

Ex-Victoria’s Secret model Barbara Palvin used the Cannes red carpet to reveal her pregnancy, appearing alongside her husband, actor Dylan Sprouse.

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse at Histoires Paralleles on the Red Carpet of the Palais des Festivals et des Congres during the 79th Cannes Interna
Mother-to-be glamour: Barbara Palvin (left) with husband Dylan Sprouse (Alamy/PA)

For her first appearance, Palvin wore a custom baby-blue Miu Miu gown featuring a feathered hemline, keeping the silhouette simple while adding movement through texture.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett attends the premiere of Garance at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Sunday May 17, 2026. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire
Cate Blanchett in Givenchy (Doug Peters/PA)

Usually always one to opt for a minimal and restrained look, Cate Blanchett turned heads in leather gloves and a Givenchy gown from Sarah Burton’s debut collection, featuring a halter neckline, embroidered florals and layers of fringe, styled with leather gloves.

Cate Blanchett attends the premiere of Garance at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Sunday May 17, 2026. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire
Blanchett’s dress featured a daring low back (Doug Peters/PA)

The dress also featured a daring open back and Blanchett wore her hair up to showcase the scooped design.

Adriana Lima

It wasn’t just hair and dresses that stood out on the red carpet – this season notably showcased much more bling.

Adriana Lima attends the premiere of Garance at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Sunday May 17, 2026. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire
Adriana Lima’s Chopard jewels stole the show (Doug Peters/PA)

Model Adriana Lima most memorably stepped out in a Chopard necklace set with a 129-carat emerald cabochon, paired with a simple black strapless dress by Nicholas Oakwell Couture.

The scale of the jewellery dominated the look, perhaps signalling a comeback of the ‘more is more’ approach to accessories, after fans praised the look as one of the best from the festival.

Sharon Stone

Actress Sharon Stone followed a similar direction when it came to sparkle, wearing a wisteria-embroidered gown and coat by Miss Sohee founder Sohee Park’s spring 2026 couture collection.

Sharon Stone at the premiere of Fjord at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture date: Monday May 18, 2026. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/PA Wire
Sharon Stone glittered in Sohee Park (Doug Peters/PA)

The Oscar-nominated Casino star wore a design from Miss Sohee founder Sohee Park’s spring 2026 couture collection

The layered design created featured a scalloped neckline and shimmering crystal embellishments throughout. From the neckline, the gown transitioned to a deep blue tone and in an ombré fashion transitioned to a light tone until the material of the dress was white.

Sahron Stone in Cannes
Sharon Stone paired her dress with Garatti jewellery (Doug Peters/PA)

If that weren’t enough, Stone added jewellery from Garatti, including a bluish-green diamond set in a custom necklace and surrounded by diamonds. She also wore rings and earrings from the brand.