Halle Berry Had to Swap Her Dress to go in Line with the Cannes Film Festival Dress Code

The Cannes Film Festival is renowned for its cinematic offerings and its extravagant red carpet fashion. However, this year, the festival implemented a dress code that surprised many attendees, even prominent stars like Halle Berry.

In a bold move just hours before the glamorous event, organizers announced that “nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival,” alongside a particular focus on avoiding “voluminous outfits” that could obstruct the movement of guests or complicate seating arrangements within the theater.

As the stars began arriving at the French Riviera, the abrupt change in dress standards left many scrambling to adjust their plans. Halle Berry, ever the fashion icon, found herself in a pinch.

Having already prepared for the festival with a stunning Gaurav Gupta gown, Berry soon learned that her choice did not align with the newly enforced dress code.

In light of this unexpected hurdle, the actress swiftly pivoted and opted for a gorgeous alternative: a black-and-white striped halter dress from Jacquemus’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

“I had an amazing dress by [Gaurav] Gupta that I cannot wear tonight because it’s too big of a train,” Berry said in an interview with Variety. “I’m not going to break the rules. The nudity part is also probably a good rule.”

Despite the last-minute change, Berry’s new look retained an air of elegance. The sleeveless silhouette of her dress showcased her toned and slender arms while adhering to the festival’s guidelines.

It’s a testament to her versatility as a style icon that even under pressure, she was able to turn heads with a chic ensemble.

As attendees lined up to attend the festival’s opening ceremony, Berry proved once again that the star power of the Cannes red carpet remains undeterred, even amidst stringent regulations.

The incident highlights the festival’s commitment to maintaining decorum while celebrating the world of film and fashion.

“This year, the Cannes Film Festival has made explicit in its charter certain rules that have long been in effect,” says a statement on the new dress code guidelines.

“The aim is not to regulate attire per se, but to prohibit full nudity on the red carpet, in accordance with the institutional framework of the event and French law.”

Photo: Getty Images/Pascal le segretain