CANNES, France (May 12, 2025) — Known for its elegance, exclusivity, and meticulous dress code, the Cannes Film Festival has formally added a new guideline to its red carpet rulebook: nudity is strictly prohibited.
While the festival has never openly endorsed revealing attire, this year’s 78th edition has seen the policy clarified in writing. The updated dress code now states: “Nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival.”
Though the rule may seem obvious in other settings, the announcement has drawn attention following recent fashion trends that favor sheer and barely-there dresses, including high-profile red carpet appearances like Bianca Censori’s at the Grammys.
When asked for clarification, Cannes press officials explained that the rule isn’t new, but rather a formal acknowledgment of long-standing expectations. “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,” a statement from the festival read.
Cannes has long enforced a strict dress code, especially for evening premieres at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, where black tie and evening gowns are mandatory. While not recently enforced, there have been instances in the past where women were turned away for not wearing high heels.
The updated policy also discourages oversized outfits that obstruct red carpet traffic and complicate seating inside the theater—particularly voluminous gowns with long trains.
Despite its strict rules, Cannes has often seen celebrities bend the boundaries of the dress code, with stars like Bella Hadid, Naomi Campbell, and Kendall Jenner turning heads in bold, revealing ensembles over the years.
The festival also famously banned selfies on the red carpet in 2018—a rule director Thierry Frémaux described as protecting the sanctity of the cinematic experience. Still, many A-listers continue to sneak in quick snaps on the iconic Palais steps.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival officially opens on Tuesday, May 13 and runs through May 24. Whether attendees choose classic elegance or boundary-pushing fashion, one thing is now certain: no nudity allowed.
