The best outfits and beauty looks of the Cannes Film Festival 2024 (so far)

The Cannes Film Festival is back, bringing with it its unique mix of Hollywood glamour and French Riviera style. The most glamorous event on the French Riviera was officially kicked off by the French actress Camille Cottin, who welcomed the jury chaired by Greta Gerwig at the Grand Théâtre Lumière du Palais des Festivals. The first award presented? The Honorary Palme d'Or to Meryl Streep, looking elegant in a long white Dior gown, presented by an emotional Juliette Binoche in all-red Dior Haute Couture by Maria Grazia Chiuri with a wet-look hairstyle.

While we await to find out which film will win the top prize, the celebs are stealing the show, from Sienna Miller to Emma Stone, competing for the photographers' attention with their outfits. Dominating the red carpet at this 77th edition are classic evening gowns accessorized with stunning jewelry, while on the beauty front, they're showcasing some of the hair and makeup trends seen at recent fashion weeks, from the return of red lipstick to chignons, wet hair, and siren eyes.

Bella Hadid's Return

After a long absence from the runways, recently Bella Hadid returned to work to promote her beauty brand Orabella and couldn’t miss the chance to walk the Cannes red carpet. The model has become a staple at the festival. Who can forget her in 2021 in Schiaparelli couture, featuring a golden brass lung sculpture jewel, or in 2016 in a red Alexandre Vauthier gown with a deep slit. This time, Bella Hadid chose, with the help of stylist Molly Dickson, a nude-effect caramel draped dress from Saint Laurent's FW24, paired with peep-toe ankle-strap sandals and yellow sapphire earrings by Chopard. Bryce Scarlett styled her hair with a side part and soft waves, while Nadia Tayeh created a bronzed latte makeup look for Bella.

Hollywood Glam

The Golden Age of Hollywood is always a reference for actresses and models at special events, and many chose it at Cannes. To present Emilia Perez, the film in which she stars, Selena Gomez wore a black velvet column dress by Saint Laurent, with a draped neckline in optical white satin. Illuminating the outfit was The Diamond Swan Necklace, a precious collar by Bulgari that was worth around 2.5 million dollars. Renato Campora styled her hair in a ponytail, leaving two side locks free to frame her face, while the makeup (naturally Rare Beauty) focused on her eyes with smudged black pencil and spider lashes. Her co-star Zoe Saldaña also opted for Saint Laurent, but inspired by an archival model featuring large antique pink bows. Old style as well was Elsa Hosk in a black and white dress by Prabal Gurung with a dramatic train, paired with Tiffany & Co. jewelry;. At the same time, Demi Moore chose a Schiaparelli Haute Couture SS24 double satin dress with an aerodynamic bow neckline. Aubrey Plaza looked like an old Hollywood diva in Loewe with Piaget jewelry, Casadei shoes, elegant waves in her hair, and makeup by Kathy Jeung. Also recalling the old Hollywood glamor was Mariacarla Boscono in a look by Prada with twisted braids pinned on the top of her head. Worth mentioning are Sienna Miller, boho queen in Chloé and Greta Gerwig in Balenciaga Haute Couture FW22 Barbie pink, paired with slicked-back wet hair.

Statement looks

Some chose classic styles in both fashion and beauty, while others preferred to take risks with statement looks, little declarations of style made of details, colors, and shapes. Among these was certainly Cate Blanchett, who wore a Jean Paul Gaultier by Haider Ackermann Haute Couture SS23 for the preview of The Apprentice, adorned with a high jewelry creation by Louis Vuitton, a necklace with pearls and diamonds worn around her shoulders. The green and black colors of the dress, combined with the red carpet, concealed a message of solidarity towards Palestine. Blanchett, as a UN High Commissioner ambassador, had spoken at the European Parliament on November 8 to call for a ceasefire. Bella Hadid also expressed her thoughts on the genocide in Gaza with the Keffiyeh Dress, an archival piece by Michael & Hushi. More frivolous and fashion-forward statements were made by other celebs, but still interesting. The always cool Alexa Chung sported a black Jean Paul Gaultier Couture by Simone Rocha dress with a horned bodice for the preview of Emilia Perez; Naomi Campbell opted for vintage with a 1997 Chanel Couture, a sequin dress she first wore at the Chanel FW96 show. For her beauty look, Naomi chose a smokey eye, nude lips, and voluminous curls. Margaret Qualley, on the other hand, appeared on the red carpet as a white swan, in a Chanel Couture model complete with a bling-bling headband that screamed balletcore and coquette.

Hunter Schafer vs Anya Taylor-Joy

Two stars, besides Bella Hadid, vied for the title of best dressed at Cannes 2024, competing with their outfits: Hunter Schafer and Anya Taylor-Joy. In France, to present Kinds Of Kindness, Hunter appeared at the film's photocall wearing a custom-made white stretch poplin pinafore mini dress by Prada, inspired by a FW10 look from the brand. This was complemented by a bandana on her head, futuristic sunglasses on a no-makeup face, and a pair of sky blue satin pumps to add a touch of color. On the red carpet, however, following the advice of her stylist Dara Allen, she opted for a shapeshifting dress by Armani Privé. Elegant was the hairstyle crafted by Jillian Halouska, a 1960s-inspired banana updo. Anya Taylor-Joy has been accumulating one interesting look after another for the press tour of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. On the Cannes red carpet, she transformed into a princess in Dior Haute Couture, donning a cream-colored embroidered tulle ball gown with a voluminous tulle skirt, inspired by Christian Dior's FW57 Mexico creation. Her very blonde hair was styled in a chignon, while her translucent skin was accentuated by ruby-colored lipstick and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. For the film's photocall, she preferred a fringed silk bouclé suit with a jewel-encrusted headpiece, all from the FW24 collection of Jil Sander. Strolling through the city, Anya Taylor-Joy also captured attention with a Jacquemus chiffon dress adorned with three-dimensional flowers, paired with an oversized sun hat and red lipstick; the same accessories and makeup for her arrival in Cannes, but paired with an orange Atlein dress and Jimmy Choo ankle-strap sandals.