The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has been making headlines for its films and, perhaps even more so, for its red carpet fashion. This year, however, the festival organizers introduced new, stricter dress code rules, reportedly in an attempt to shift focus back to the films and away from extravagant outfits. These rules explicitly prohibit "nude" dresses, overly voluminous gowns, and dresses with long trains. The goal, according to officials, is to maintain "decency" and ensure a smooth flow of traffic on the red carpet.
Enter Vir Das, the Indian comedian and actor known for his sharp wit and social commentary. Das, never one to shy away from a good joke, responded to the new dress code with a series of hilarious social media posts. He first "announced" his mock withdrawal from the festival, lamenting that the new rules would prevent him from showcasing a "dark beige, 78-foot-long, off-shoulder piece" that was culturally specific to the comedy community.
But Das didn't stop there. In a subsequent post that really grabbed attention, he shared a photoshopped image of himself confidently posing on the Cannes red carpet wearing a gigantic, nude-toned gown with an enormous train. The caption read: "Large, voluminous, nude, long train. In your face #cannesfilmfestival you don't know what you're missing."
The comedian's satirical take on the dress code quickly went viral, generating laughs and sparking conversations about the changing landscape of red carpet fashion. While Das himself didn't actually attend Cannes this year, his virtual presence was definitely felt.
Das's actions also touch upon the broader conversation around influencers at Cannes. He has defended their presence, noting how the film industry benefits from influencer collaborations to promote films. He criticized what he sees as hypocrisy from film industry insiders who look down on influencers while simultaneously seeking their support.
Of course, Vir Das wasn't the only one making waves on the Cannes red carpet this year. Despite the new regulations, several celebrities found creative ways to express their style. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, for example, turned heads in a white Banarasi saree by Manish Malhotra, complete with a dramatic train that subtly defied the "no long trains" rule. Heidi Klum also made a statement in a pink floral organza gown by Elie Saab, featuring a daring side slit and a sweeping train. Bella Hadid opted for a custom black Saint Laurent gown with strategic cut-outs, cleverly skirting the "no nudity" rule while still showing plenty of skin. These stars and others demonstrated that it's still possible to make a statement on the Cannes red carpet, even with stricter guidelines in place. The new dress code at Cannes 2025 has undeniably added another layer to the festival's already vibrant and closely watched fashion scene.
