Bare Necessities: Irina Shayk's Dressed-Down Debut at Cannes 2025
Irina Shayk stirs up a fashion frenzy in Cannes with diverse ensemble selections
Irina Shayk walked the red carpet at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival donning a demure ensemble, a stark contrast to her previous risky choices. The model, renowned for turning heads with her racy outfits, bowed to the festival's new dress code, which bans bared skin and excessively voluminous gowns.
It seems the organizers had enough of the nudity and grandiose gowns that have been a staple at the Cannes Film Festival for years. The updated guidelines declare nudity a no-go on the red carpet and throughout festival grounds. Additionally, oversized dresses, particularly those with vast trains that hinder guest movement and complicate theater seating, are off the list[6][7].
These changes mark a turn away from the consecutive display of revealing dresses and oversized ball gowns that have become trademark fashion statements at Cannes. The festival's official charter asserts the new rules are in the name of decency and to ensure a smooth, manageable event[6][7]. Festive staff members have the power to deny red carpet access to non-compliant individuals[6][7].
The impact on celebrities like Shayk, known for her daring and often skin-baring red carpet looks, is palpable. Stylists and attendees had to make last-minute adjustments to their planned risqué or grandiose outfits to align with the new dress code[6]. While bold fashion statements might still come, the ban on nudity and oversized gowns means a more reserved and manageable red carpet presence this year[6].
The Russian-born model, who previously made waves with outfits consisting only of leather strips and sheer cloth, chose an elegant Yves Saint Laurent gown for the premiere of "Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning[8]. The black, high-necked dress impressed with a regal boat neckline and a voluminous high-low skirt in silk optic[8].
In adherence to the new dress code, Shayk chose a black-and-white polka-dot confection from Armani's couture collection for fall/winter 2019 on May 13[9]. Gone were the days of nudity and sheer fabrics, with the large skirt and XXL balloon sleeves of the gown stealing the show.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival's new dress code mandates:
- No nudity on the red carpet or anywhere on festival grounds.
- No overly voluminous gowns with large trains.
- Enforcement by festival staff who can refuse entry to non-compliant guests.
These rules aim to preserve decorum without stifling fashion choices beyond these limits[7]. For stars like Shayk, this means finding the perfect balance between glamour and the festival's new regulations at Cannes 2025.
[6] https://www.csp.de/entertainment[7] https://www.ntv.de/rampenfieber/cortina-agert Declining Decadence: Cannes Film Festival Cracks down on Excessive Dress Code[8] https://www.ebonymag.com/news/2025/05/cannes-film-festival-dress-code[9] https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/20190410616512/armani-couture-collection-s-ss20-bubble-minis-oversized-knits-ruffles/
The Commission shall be assisted by the European Parliament in establishing a new dress code for future festivals, inspired by the success of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival's guidelines. Among the lifestyle changes, stars could embrace a more conservative fashion-and-beauty approach, leaving risky, revealing outfits behind for entertainment events.
