Bella Hadid pushes the boundaries of Cannes Film Festival 'naked' new dress rule

Over the last few years, the has been making headlines over the star-studded attendance and risqué . However, a new dress code rule was implemented 24 hours before its 78th edition. , who attended the event for the seventh time, shook the red carpet with a striking entrance.

The popular film festival held in the South of France that will take place in the French Riviera, from May 13 to May 24, 2025, has banned three types of gowns from the red carpet, as they aim for more ‘decency’ at this year’s event.

Following the last minute dress code rule, the supermodel pushed the boundaries by wearing a sleek black, high thigh-slitting Saint Laurent dress, which cheekily showed her side boob. The Orabella founder also debuted a new hair honey blonde colour, leaving fans on social media drooling over her good looks - and we don't blame them.

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According to the organiser’s website, “nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival.” The affected garments are any voluminous dresses and dresses with long trains. This is because it has caused a disruption in the past with the “flow of traffic of guests and complicated seating in the theatre.”

Controversially, the ‘naked’ dress was banned from the festival, saying that nudity was no longer allowed for “decency reasons”. In 2024, Bella attended the event wearing a sandy-brown sheer tight dress with a halter-neck by Saint Laurent that showed her chest. Similar to her previous appearances at the Cannes Film Festival, her looks have been almost nude.

Other celebrities that have made grand and surprising entries at the film festival in the past are Kendall Jenner, Natasha Poly, Elle Fanning, Meredith Mickelson, Hari Nef, and Winnie Harlow.

Another example is Bollywood actress, Deepika Padukone, who before she came a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival, she wore a see through sheer gown designed by Zuhair Murad.

Although the dress didn't expose much, the detailed embroidery and the floor-length cape with the plunging neckline caught the attention of many.

Cannes Film Festival's 2025 dress code

The new dress code is very specific. As informed by the festival: “For the Grand Théâtre Lumière gala screenings taking place around 7 and 10 pm, which are attended by the artistic teams, evening wear (long dress, tuxedo) is required. Alternatively, you may also wear “a little black dress,” a cocktail dress, a dark-coloured pantsuit, a dressy top with black pants [...] a black or navy-blue suit with bow-tie.”

“Tote bags, backpacks or large bags are prohibited during gala screenings [...] For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the Red Carpet, as well as in any other area of the Festival,” they continued.

The guidelines also said: “Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theatre are not permitted. The Festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit Red Carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.”

Cannes Film Festival has a long history of celebrities pulling up with controversial outfits, with a lot of skin shown in the French Riviera. Bella, who has been a long time attendee of the event, knew how to deliver a grand but not-so revealing entry, standing out from the crowd.