Cannes 2025: Here's Why Halle Berry Had To Ditch Gaurav Gupta Gown Amid New Rules
Hollywood star Halle Berry revealed she had to make a last-minute wardrobe change, opting out of a dramatic outfit designed by Indian couturier Gaurav Gupta.
The first notable impact of the Cannes Film Festival’s newly implemented dress code—which prohibits nudity and extravagant gowns with oversized trains—has been felt by jury member Halle Berry. The Hollywood star revealed she had to make a last-minute wardrobe change, opting out of a dramatic outfit designed by Indian couturier Gaurav Gupta.
Halle Berry on change of plans for Cannes
Newly introduced rules banning nudity and long dress trains meant Berry had to skip the gown she had originally planned to wear for the festival’s opening night.
"I had an amazing dress to wear tonight by Gupta, and I cannot wear it because the train is too big," said the Oscar-winning actor, referring to the Indian designer Gaurav Gupta, who is known for dressing stars like Cardi B and creating bold Met Gala looks.
"Of course, I'm going to follow the rules," Berry added, respecting her role as a jury member responsible for selecting the Palme d'Or winner.
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But many others flout the rules
Not everyone on the red carpet adhered to the new guidelines. German model Heidi Klum appeared in a pink gown with a train stretching over three metres (10 feet), while Chinese actor and influencer Wan Qianhui arrived in a voluminous white creation resembling a marshmallow mountain of taffeta.
Halle Berry, who won an Academy Award for her role in Monster’s Ball, also expressed support for the festival’s new approach to dressing standards. "The nudity part is probably also a good rule," she noted.
Cannes Film Festival’s new dress code
For the first time, Cannes organisers have publicly outlined their dress code in writing, drawing attention and sparking conversation. "It is not about regulating what people wear but to ban total nudity on the red carpet, in line with French law," a festival spokesperson told AFP.
The Cannes red carpet has historically been a showcase for daring fashion statements—most famously Bella Hadid’s sculptural, plunging Schiaparelli look in 2021, which caused a sensation on social media.
Alongside the crackdown on nudity and trains, the festival has now also clarified its rules regarding footwear. After years of backlash for allegedly mandating high heels for women, Cannes has now made its policy explicit: "elegant shoes or sandals with or without heels" are allowed.
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