The 2025 Cannes Film Festival may have only just begun, but Bella Hadid has already delivered what will likely go down as one of the most talked-about moments on this year’s red carpet. If there were any doubts about her status as the reigning queen of Cannes, they were put to rest the moment she stepped onto the Croisette in a jaw-dropping Saint Laurent gown that masterfully pushed the boundaries of this year’s newly tightened dress code.
The Dress That Defined Opening Night
Hadid arrived at the opening ceremony in a sleek, jet-black Saint Laurent dress that proved high fashion doesn’t need to be loud to make a statement. The gown featured a sultry cowl neckline and a daringly high slit that climbed to the hip, revealing just enough to toe the line—but never cross it—under Cannes’ recently revised rules, which now prohibit overt nudity and overly sheer or voluminous designs.
This was Bella at her most strategic and sophisticated. The design was bold yet refined, managing to evoke sensuality without breaching the code. The asymmetrical strappy back and exposed sides added architectural intrigue to the silhouette, while the fabric’s understated drape let her confidence do most of the talking.
A Quiet Rebellion, Wrapped in Glamour
Though subtle, Hadid’s look carried a note of defiance. This year, Cannes updated its red carpet rules to ban see-through garments and dresses with excessive trains, citing concerns over decency and logistics. It’s a shift that many in the fashion industry have critiqued as unnecessarily restrictive. Hadid’s look seemed to acknowledge the rules while simultaneously challenging their rigidity—proof that rebellion doesn’t always have to be loud; it can come dressed in silk and shadow.
Fashion insiders were quick to catch the subtext. Her gown’s strategic cutouts and daring slit spoke volumes about her ability to adapt and thrive in any sartorial climate. It was a reminder that true fashion icons don’t follow trends—they rewrite them.
The Jewels That Sparkled Like the Riviera
Of course, no Bella Hadid appearance would be complete without jaw-dropping accessories, and she didn’t disappoint. As a Chopard ambassador since 2024, she made the most of the house’s dazzling collection. On her ears: a pair of emerald drop earrings weighing a staggering 118.68 carats, radiating a rich green glow that played beautifully against the monochromatic tones of her dress. On her finger: a 12.15-carat heart-shaped diamond ring, a detail that captured photographers’ lenses with each wave and gesture.
Her heels, a pair of rhinestone-encrusted stilettos from Saint Laurent, added just the right touch of sparkle to her ensemble—glamorous yet consistent with the sleek sophistication of the overall look.
Bella Hadid and the Cannes Legacy
Bella Hadid has become synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival over the past several years, offering up look after look that consistently dominates headlines and social media feeds alike. From the sheer Schiaparelli dress she wore in 2021 to the vintage Chanel moments that followed, she’s built a Cannes portfolio that few can rival.
Her 2025 appearance only adds to that legacy. But what sets this look apart is not just its visual appeal, but the context in which it arrived: a new era of red carpet regulation, where even seasoned stylists are treading carefully. Hadid, however, made it look effortless—as if the rules had been written for someone else entirely.
A Style Statement for the Books
In many ways, Bella’s Saint Laurent moment marked more than just the start of Cannes 2025—it signaled a turning point in how stars might navigate the evolving relationship between fashion and formality at the festival. She showed that it’s still possible to wow without defying the rules outright, that restraint can amplify rather than diminish impact, and that great style isn’t just about clothes—it’s about attitude, timing, and vision.
So, while the festival continues to unfold and more stars arrive with their own dazzling ensembles, one thing is already certain: Bella Hadid has set the bar sky-high—and she did it all before the first Palme d’Or contender even rolled on screen.
Stay tuned. If history tells us anything, there’s more Hadid magic to come.
