How Denim Is Taking A Starring Role At Cannes
Every year at the Cannes Film Festival, stars from across the globe gather together in the French Riviera to attend premieres of the most exciting upcoming film projects, and celebrate the best talent in the industry.
While the red carpet has, so far, dazzled with barely there dresses, billowing trains, and high-shine jewellery, an unexpected star has taken the leading role—denim. See Sienna Miller, who recently smartened up the barrel jeans, while Anya Taylor-Joy made her case for bringing back the button-down A-line skirt.
If there are any sartorial lessons to take away from the 2024 festival, it's that denim is your new go-to, no matter the occasion. From photocalls to dinners, red carpets to after-parties, denim has taken centre stage. Here's how the stars wore theirs:
The first style to consider is darkwash denim. Here, you can really strip away the casual connotations of blue jeans. Indigo shades and Raw Denim rule; see Sienna Miller's unforgettable barrel jean look. The exaggerated proportions of this Schiaparelli style were rendered chic when paired with a smart cream boucle jacket. Of course, Miller brought her signature It-girl energy to the ensemble, with tousled boho waves and gold accessories.
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Academy Award nominee Hong Chau also opted for the oversized variety, albeit a more wearable cut. She opted for a pair of dark-wash Dior wide-leg jeans with turn-ups bearing the House oblique logo. Here, the Downsizing and The Wale actress matched her pair with a crisp white shirt and platform heels, which gave a refined paired-back elegance – one you can easily replicate with pieces already in your wardrobe.
Tess Barthélemy, the French actor and daughter of Judith Godreche, also gave a masterclass in dark denim with her T-shirt-sleeve skirt set, which she paired with French-girl 'barely there' make-up, natural curls and a pair of black patent Mary Janes. This look is a great source of inspiration for those summer city breaks.
While dark wash can easily take denim to evening fare, so can opting for a mode-of-the-moment double denim. Cate Blanchett did it well (obviously). See her loose cross stitch detailed chambray two-piece that she wore to the Kering Women in Motion dinner, of which she was a co-host. The actor and style icon paired her look with wire-framed glasses and white trainers.
French singer Yesult, who stunned on the red carpet in a Dior 'New Look' ensemble at Cannes last week, also opted for double denim. Her look featured an exaggerated collar and floor-sweeping wide legs. The workwear construction of this two-piece surprisingly lends well to dressing up, and when paired with a smokey eye, you'll achieve desk-to-dinner readiness instantly.
Model Abby Lee went for suiting but rendered it 'cool-girl chic' when cut from true blue denim. She completed her look with a midriff-baring white vest, blue heeled pumps, and a matching denim (triple denim, anyone?).
Also, keep on your radar the latest update on 'jeans and a nice top'. According to the stars of this year's Cannes carpets, now it's all about jeans and a nice jacket. Julianne Moore (who is also a fan of the double denim look) looked effortlessly chic at the Women In Motion photocall in a double-breasted oversized check blazer and light-wash jeans.
Eva Green, meanwhile, stepped out for dinner in a corset-printed T-shirt and straight-leg mid-wash denim, dressed up with a satin lapel blazer and tinted Chanel sunglasses. After all, few fail-safes are as tried and true as great denim and a smart blazer.
So make like a movie star and start considering your denim wardrobe, red carpet ready.
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