Actress Halle Berry was forced to abandon her elaborate Gaurav Gupta gown at the Cannes Film Festival because of a newly instituted dress code, as the train on the dress proved to be excessively large.
Title: Halle Berry Forgoes Gaurav Gupta Dress Due to Cannes' updated Dress Code
Quick Update: Cannes Film Festival Declares War on Extravagant Dresses and Nudity
Halle Berry bid adieu to Gaurav Gupta's treasure for Cannes 2025 debut
Hollywood's illustrious star, Halle Berry, found herself in the unenviable position of tossing a breathtaking gown designed by Gaurav Gupta for the grand opening gala at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025. The shift came as a result of the newly implemented dress code, forbidding perilous nudity and ostentatious dresses decorating the red carpet[1][2].
Berry's red carpet drama: Ditching Gupta's marvel
The bombastic ban on nudity and over-sized silhouettes forced Berry to part ways with a strikingly stunning gown destined for the Cannes red carpet. As she addressed the press, Berry voiced her disappointment.
"Gupta had crafted a divine number for me, but unfortunately, the train was a tad too expansive to comply with the rules.[3] I'm not one to violate the rules, especially when I'm part of the esteemed jury deciding which film snags the Palme d'Or top prize."
Rulebreakers ignite controversy
Despite the restrictions, German model Heidi Klum and Chinese actor-turned-influencer Wan Qianhui flouted the mandate. Klum flaunted a 10-foot-long pink train on the very first red carpet of the festival, while Qianhui emblazoned herself in a puffed-up, marshmallow-like white taffeta spectacle.
Berry, who clinched an Oscar for her move-worthy performance in Monster's Ball, supported the dresscode, particularly the restriction on nudity. "Restrictions on overt sensuality could be a refreshing departure from the extravagant norms. It's a step in the right direction," she opined[4].
Cannes Film Festival: New Age Standards
Organizers of the legendary Cannes Film Festival rolled out the rules in writing for the first time in 2025. In their defense, they emphasized that the goal wasn't to dictate attire but to ban total nudity, aligning with French law[5].
Over the years, the Cannes red carpet has transformed into a runway showcasing bold and risqué ensembles. Supermodel Bella Hadid and her distinctive metallic Schiaparelli gown with its steep neckline garnered commendations and criticisms alike in 2021[6].
To quell the chatter surrounding controversial fashion choices, Cannes has also tightened up its stance on footwear. Many accuse the festival of forcing women to don towering heels, hence the recently updated dress code stating that "elegant shoes or sandals with or without heels" are the only options allowed[7].
(With AFP inputs)
- Keywords: Cannes Film Festival, Halle Berry, Gaurav Gupta, red carpet, dress code, Oscar, nudity, Heidi Klum, Wan Qianhui, fashion, footwear, Bella Hadid, Schiaparelli, French law, Juliette Binoche
- Categories: Entertainment, Hollywood, Bollywood, OTT
- Despite the updated dress code, some celebrities, such as Heidi Klum and Wan Qianhui, flouted the rules at the Cannes Film Festival, causing controversy.
- Halle Berry, who has won an Oscar for her role in Monster's Ball, supported the new dress code, especially the restriction on nudity, as it could mark a refreshing change from the traditional extravagant fashion.
- Bollywood fashion and beauty enthusiasts might find interest in the recent changes in the Cannes Film Festival's dress code, which also includes specific guidelines for footwear.
- With the festival's new standards, cricket fans and entertainment followers can expect a shift in the usual dramatic and high-fashion red carpet appearances at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.
