The red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival is the most strictly regulated in the world. With the introduction of Cannes 2025 red carpet new rules, a significant change has been made: no nudity is allowed
Although the festival had never before approved of nudity, on the eve of its 78th edition, Cannes updated its dress code by stating that “nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival.”
The policy change garnered a lot of attention Monday because of the recent trend of sheer and “nude dresses,” like Bianca Censori’s Grammys appearance. However, a no-shirt-no-service restriction is typical in locations considerably less prestigious than Cannes.
In response to inquiries about the policy, Cannes press officers stated that the festival “made explicit in its charter certain rules that have long been in effect.”
“The aim is not to regulate attire per se, but to prohibit full nudity on the red carpet, by the institutional framework of the event and French law,” added the statement.
Cannes has stated that “voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater are not permitted.”
Nonetheless, celebrities like Bella Hadid, Naomi Campbell, and Kendall Jenner have frequently shown off their skin during the French Riviera festival and historically disregarded dress codes. A black tie and evening dress are needed for evening premieres at the Grand Theatre Lumiere in the Palais. Security guards at Cannes have occasionally turned away ladies for not wearing heels, though not recently.
Cannes director Thierry Fremaux referred to selfies as “grotesque” when the festival banned them in 2018, yet celebrities occasionally take a quick picture on the steps of the Palais.
The festival begins on Tuesday.
