Cannes 2025: The Red Carpet’s New Era, Plus Louis Vuitton’s Avignon Statement

As the world’s style set descends on the French Riviera, the 77th Cannes Film Festival once again proves why it remains the pinnacle of cinematic and sartorial spectacle. This year, the Croisette’s red carpet is not just a parade of glamour but a reflection of shifting attitudes in luxury, empowerment, and self-expression. Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton’s headline-making show in Avignon offers a parallel vision of modern luxury, underscoring France’s enduring influence on global fashion.

Cannes 2025: Decency, Drama, and the Power of Reinvention

Cannes 2025’s red carpet signals a notable evolution: the festival’s new dress code, emphasizing “decency,” has inspired stars to embrace elegance and individuality over shock value. Gone are the days of sheer excess and overtly revealing gowns. Instead, the red carpet is alive with bold color, architectural silhouettes, and a palpable sense of confidence.

Helen Mirren’s appearance in a black Badgley Mischka gown with a dramatic aquamarine bow and netted fascinator set the tone for the festival’s elevated style. Cara Delevingne’s custom Ashi Studio look, complete with sheer gloves, and Heidi Klum’s beaded Yara Shoemaker dress at the amfAR Gala, further exemplified this year’s blend of classic glamour and contemporary edge. Naomi Campbell’s white Alaïa and Lady Kitty Spencer’s sequined Dolce & Gabbana proved that timeless tailoring and vibrant hues are the new essentials for the Riviera’s most-watched runway.

Empowerment on the Croisette

This year’s festival is about more than fashion—it’s about the women who define it. Cannes 2025 has spotlighted female filmmakers, with Kristen Stewart and Scarlett Johansson making their directorial debuts, and L’Oréal Paris amplifying the message of empowerment with Alia Bhatt’s ambassador debut and the continued “Lights on Women’s Worth Award.” The result is a red carpet radiating authenticity, individuality, and main character energy.

Beyond Cannes: Louis Vuitton’s Avignon Moment

While Cannes captured the world’s attention, Louis Vuitton staged a different kind of fashion moment in Avignon. Against the historic backdrop of the Palais des Papes, the brand’s Cruise 2026 show reimagined ecclesiastical and medieval motifs for the modern era, blending old-world grandeur with minimalist tailoring. This “conclave chic” collection speaks to a broader trend: luxury brands are moving beyond spectacle, focusing instead on thoughtful reinvention and cultural resonance.

The Epicurated Perspective

Cannes 2025 and Louis Vuitton’s Avignon show together illustrate the new language of luxury: one that values substance as much as style, celebrates empowered individuality, and draws on heritage to shape the future. Whether on the Croisette or in the shadow of Avignon’s ancient walls, France remains the stage for fashion’s boldest reinventions—and the world is watching.