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A vintage frock and hot pink suit are hits at Cannes

By Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre, The Philippine STAR Published Jul 14, 2021 6:00 am

How do you make an entrance at one of the world’s most glamorous red carpet events, a most-anticipated one especially after a year and a half of lockdowns?

Cancelled last year for the first time since World War II and the 1968 student riots, the 74th Cannes Film Festival finally pushed through last July 6 with 24 films in competition to be judged by a diverse jury of five women and four men of seven nationalities coming from five continents.

Belying the inconvenience and indignity of spitting into a tube for the requisite COVID test before entering the grounds, the stars came in their couture best for the opening, visibly excited to meet colleagues and friends. There was so much jubilation after not seeing each other for so long that social distancing and the no-kissing rules were even flouted in many instances.

The exhilaration was definitely visible in the fashion. 

“COVID is still there but it’s a huge sense of relief and excitement to be in Cannes,” Adam Driver said during the opening of his film, Annette.

The exhilaration was definitely visible in the fashion.  Spike Lee, who heads the jury this year, was the standout among the men in his hot pink suit by Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton.

Bella Hadid bested the ladies in a 2002 Jean Paul Gaultier Couture sculptural white gown with a sheer black halter neck that sprung out the back into a train, finding many others trailing away, style-wise, in its wake. 

Frou-frou, lingerie looks, debutante and siren gowns were the trends for the evening, with many hits and some misses, but what was important was that everyone could come together to celebrate the art and joys of cinema.

Bella Hadid In Jean Paul Gaultier

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She learned her pandemic lesson well by wearing sustainable vintage instead of adding to the carbon footprint and waste that new fashion brings.  There was a clean, wholesome Audrey Hepburn quality to her updo, which set off the sculptural quality of the gown and the dangling earrings were just the right touch of bijoux to complete the look.

Leonie Hanne In Nicole+Felicia

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The German blogger and model did the froufrou debutante right by choosing a muted celadon color accented by white feathers and keeping her hair and jewelry simple:  a chignon coif with chain necklace and bracelet and stud earrings.

Jessica Chastain In Dior   

This lingerie-inspired gown from Dior’s fall 2019 haute couture should be worn with a bit more fun or irony to make it work, but here it comes on too dour because of the serious Chopard rubies. Maybe playful boudoir f**k-me bow accessories would have done the trick.

Helen Mirren In Dolce & Gabbana 

Love her color combination of a mango yellow dress with emerald jewelry.  The design of the dress is age-appropriate while not being dowdy or too formal with an ankle length instead of a full length.

Didi Stone Olomide In Jean Paul Gaultier 

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The French-Congolese model and influencer followed the festival trend for the high-low dresses with short hemlines and long trains, but this one just goes a little too high for comfort and is better suited for the carnival in Rio.

Meng Li In Yanina Couture   

This lingerie look has been elevated with an Egyptian-style collar, which requires no other jewelry — a wonderful color combination of lemon with turquoise.

Isabelle Huppert In Balenciaga

The stark, all-black look with the crucial sunglasses was spot-on for this actress known for her film-noir roles.  The Chopard bracelets and earrings were just the right touch of bling to complete the look. 

Farhana Bodi In Atelier Zuhra

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At least this influencer got the length of the high-low dress right and the stunning yellow color suits her skin tone.  The structured hair and jewelry are also good foils for the flounces.

Lou Doillon In Gucci 

It recalls Cleopatra’s entrance-to-Egypt gown worn by Elizabeth Taylor in 1963 but with a deconstructed top that makes it so current and witty. The casual hair with Cleo bangs and the heart clutch also make it more fun.  The feathered sleeves, though, may be dispensed with for a cleaner line.

Lorena Rae In Elie Saab   

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The high-low dress again but with an elegant flapper twist in nude that makes it less outré.  The chignon hairdo and simple stud earrings allow the feathers and crystal beading to shine and do their work on the red carpet.

Candice Swanepoel In Etro 

The South African supermodel did not disappoint her Victoria’s Secret fans in this skintight jumpsuit with fringed bell sleeves that recall Bob Mackie’s outfits for Cher but with Etro’s signature paisleys running all over in crystals. The hair was concert-perfect, too, and the necklace of 1,928 diamonds and chain-style earrings from Pomellato made it red carpet-worthy.

Soko In Gucci

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The top has a ’60s vibe, recalling Italian signoras, but has been updated and made younger through a futuristic opalescence that suits the French singer-songwriter to a T with her bobbed hairdo instead of the usual red-carpet updo.

Charlotte Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin 

Charlotte and her mother are the quintessential rock dandies in classic black tuxes that they wear with the typical French élan that is always so chic without the need for jewelry or elaborate coiffures.

Andie Macdowell In Prada

The blue and gray crystal-encrusted top picked up from the silver streaks of her lockdown hair, which she bravely owned, but could maybe have used a little more styling. The predominantly mint gown was refreshing with the top crystal fringes adding the requisite sparkle for the event.

Spike Lee In Louis Vuitton   

Everything from color to cut has Spike Lee cool written all over the double-breasted suit, but he owned it even more with the matching glasses, a fedora, and his one-of-a-kind pair of Nike Air Jordan sneakers.