Red carpet rebels: All the stars who've broken Cannes Film Festival's dress code rules so far

Defiance seems to be the breakout trend at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Before the festivities kicked off in the French Riviera this week, the event's website was updated to reflect its new dress code – with some unexpected stipulations.

While we've previously seen 'naked' dresses reign on the red carpet – who could forget Bella Hadid's completely sheer brown number last year? – nudity is now prohibited at Cannes "for decency reasons".

This rule applies to both the red carpet and "any other area" of the festival.

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We're also accustomed to seeing stars in gowns with stunning, dramatic trains trailing behind them, but these are also on the "no-no" list for more practical concerns.

"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," the Cannes website states.

However, one thing is clear: you can't tell Hollywood's elite what to do. Keep scrolling to see all the stars who've, uh, stretched the dress code in style.

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Every stunning look spotted at the Cannes Film Festival

Evelyn Ellis

Australia's own Evelyn Ellis was in for a rude shock when she was about to hit the red carpet in her "massive train", not realising a rule had been implemented.

"The organisers of the event come to me and tell me that 'no trains are allowed' this year," the former MAFS contestant told 9honey exclusively.

"They're like, 'Didn't you get in your email?' and I'm like, 'This dress was made a month ago, what e-mail?'"

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Ellis was told she would have to cut her custom-made Cappellazzo Couture dress minutes before she stepped onto the red carpet for the show's opening ceremony.

"We had scissors prepared, ready to go, the stylist was just about to snip the dress. I was hyperventilating, I was freaking out," she explained.

However, at that moment, another huge star stepped onto the red carpet in one of the biggest trains Cannes has ever seen.

"Right at the last minute, [one of the organisers] goes, 'They're gonna let you have the train'. I realised it's probably because Heidi Klum had just arrived with a massive train," she says.

"I think they thought... 'We can't just tell one person to cut the train and let Heidi have it'. So in I went."

Heidi Klum

Speaking of the gown that saved Ellis' at the last minute, there's no doubt Heidi Klum breached the dress code with her first gown of the festival.

The German supermodel emerged on day one of the festival in this incredible floral Elie Saab design, with petals cascading down her body and spilling onto the red carpet behind her.

We bet that somewhere in the crowd behind the star is a disgruntled Cannes staffer muttering under their breath.

That thigh-high split likely also came close to the "no nudity" clause.

Wan QianHui

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Klum was in good company, as Chinese actress Wan QianHui also disregarded the 'no voluminous outfits' rule with her Wang Feng FW25 gown.

Frothy fabric billowed out behind her as she climbed the famous steps – an incredible visual worth breaking the dress code for.

Bella Hadid

She's worn some of Cannes' most memorable 'naked' or naked-adjacent gowns over the years, so it's no shock Bella Hadid is taking a loosey-goosey approach to the new dress code.

With its exaggerated thigh slip and cutouts – including one around her lower back – the model's black Saint Laurent dress managed to expose as much skin as possible without getting her kicked out.

Dakota Johnson

Also skirting close to the line was Dakota Johnson, who hit the Kering Women In Motion Awards and Cannes Film Festival Presidential Dinner in this chainmail-style dress.

It's certainly sheer, but the sparkles help her get away with it.

Hayley Atwell

Clearly, the mission Hayley Atwell chose to accept was to defy the 'no voluminous dresses' rule.

The Mission Impossible star attended the screening of the latest film in the franchise in this eye-catching red gown from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture.

Sure, that train might not hold up traffic, but we imagine the oversized waist bow and mermaid tail could "complicate seating in the theater".

It might not be an outright breach, but it's surely in 'red card' territory...

Farhana Bodi

In a similar vein, Farhana Bodi's outfit took up plenty of space with its exaggerated silhouette.

The TV personality was haloed by a huge pink frill that cascaded down her body, adding volume to her sparkling pink Atelier Zuhra gown.

"It's not just a dress, it's a statement. My bling Barbie moment ... I wanted to channel power, grace, and glamour in one silhouette," the Dubai Bling star declared of the look.

Godspeed to whoever sat in her immediate vicinity inside the theatre.

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The most memorable, show-stopping Cannes Film Festival looks of all time

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