Best looks on the Cannes 2023 red carpet

Welcome back to the Cannes Film Festival! The 76th edition of the Film Festival kicked off on 16 May with a new red carpet modelled on the Met Gala, with glamour, couture gowns, sophisticated make-up and celebrities catching the photographers' flashes with the most elegant, romantic and eccentric creations seen on the catwalks. The most worldly event on the Côte d'Azur was officially opened by godmother Chiara Mastroianni, who in Celine by Hedi Slimane welcomed the jury to the Grand Théâtre Lumière du Palais des Festivals and presented the Palme d'Or of Honour to Michael Douglas. The actor came to France accompanied by his wife and colleague Catherine Zeta-Jones and his daughter Carys Zeta Douglas. The former opted for a femme fatale look in various shades of red (including eye make-up) by Elie Saab, the same brand chosen by young Carys, who wore a white lace dress and high bun.

The first real red carpet at Cannes 2023 was the one that anticipated the premiere of Jeanne du Barry, a film directed by Maïwenn that marks Johnny Depp's return to the big screen after his trial of Amber Heard. To mark the occasion, several stars took turns on the steps of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès alongside the film's cast. The start was made by Uma Thurman, who walked the catwalk with her son Levon in a creation of powdery satin by Christian Dior with Old Hollywood airs, paired with a purple maxi stole and jewellery by Chopard. Most admired of all was Elle Fanning. Since she first stepped onto the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in 2016 to promote The Neon Demon, the actress has worn many gorgeous and sophisticated gowns by Rodarte, Vivienne Westwood and Dior, but this time she wore a princess look by Alexander McQueen with jewellery by Cartier.

It rained flashes for Naomi, who was covered in glitter in a dress by Celine, and for Alessandra Ambrosio, also in a luminous gown with a bonnet by Elie Saab. The supermodel completed her outfit with jewelry from Pomellato's new Haute Joaillerie collection inspired by Milan's innovative architectural landscape: the Skyline asymmetrical necklace, embellished with 128 rare bezel-cut spinels that fade from warm scarlet to light blue, and matching earrings with 12 spinels. The award for the most unexpected look (which immediately went viral) went to Helen Mirren in a Blue Fairy version. The British actress wore a violet-blue dress by Del Core and paired it with an eighteenth-century-inspired hairstyle reminiscent of the film Jeanne Du Barry and Marie Antoinette's signature pouffe. For the occasion, Helen dyed her hair light blue, sky blue and violet blue to add to the dramatic effect of her outfit. As an accessory, she held a fan that read #WorthIt, the slogan of L'Oreal, the brand for which Mirren is an ambassador. The looks of the first night of Cannes 2023 also included those of model Cindy Bruna in a gown by Act N°1 embellished with Pomellato jewels, and Simona Tabasco in a red slip dress with a very long train by Lanvin.

See the best looks from Cannes 2023 below.