Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry revealed she had to make a last-minute change to her outfit at the Cannes Film Festival after learning about the event’s newly revised red carpet dress code. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Berry explained that her original dress, designed by Gupta, had to be scrapped because it featured a large train that would no longer be permitted under the updated guidelines.
Festival organizers have imposed stricter rules on red carpet attire this year, citing concerns about practicality and respect for other guests. Nudity is now explicitly banned, as are overly voluminous outfits, particularly those with long trains that obstruct movement and seating in the theatre. Attendees who fail to comply with the guidelines risk being denied access to the red carpet entirely.
“I had an amazing dress by Gupta to wear tonight, and I cannot wear it because the train’s too big,” Berry shared. “I had to make a pivot. But the nudity part I do think is probably also a good rule,” she added. Berry, who won an Academy Award for her role in the 2001 drama “Monster’s Ball,” is serving as a jury member at this year’s festival.
The updated dress code comes after several years of increasingly daring fashion choices by celebrities on major red carpets. From sheer fabrics to barely-there ensembles, stars have pushed the boundaries of traditional event attire. Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori drew significant attention earlier this year at the Grammy Awards, when Censori wore a transparent dress with no visible undergarments, having shed a large coat at the last moment.
In addition to the ban on nudity and cumbersome outfits, the Cannes dress code now also includes a noteworthy update on footwear. For the first time, elegant flat shoes are explicitly allowed, ending the longstanding expectation for heels on the red carpet. Jury president Juliette Binoche welcomed the change, saying, “On the heel side, I think it’s a very good idea, by experience.”
These adjustments reflect a broader shift in how prestigious events like Cannes are navigating modern expectations around fashion, comfort, and decorum. While some view the changes as overdue, others are still adjusting to the evolving norms. Berry’s quick outfit change may serve as a reminder that even A-listers must adapt to the rules—no matter how glamorous the occasion.
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