Cannes Film Festival has delivered some memorable fashion moments over the decades—including stand-out vintage dresses from the likes of Kirsten Dunst, Angelina Jolie and Kate Moss, all of whom were early champions of wearing pre-loved pieces on the red carpet. It’s a fascinating way to focus on the impeccable workmanship of a designer gown, not to mention imbuing it with a mysterious appeal that only come with archival moments on the red carpet.
As concerns around sustainability continue to grow, we’ve seen more A-listers adopt the trend, including Penélope Cruz, who wore a vintage Chanel gown on the Croisette in 2018, and Priyanka Chopra, who opted for a dazzling gown from the Roberto Cavalli archives in 2019. Meanwhile, vintage queen Cate Blanchett has slipped into a number of archival frocks over the years—no matter the occasion. From the Cannes Film Festival alone, see her 2019 pull: decked out in Armani Privé that she had previously worn to the Golden Globes just a few years before. Joining her in style would be Bella Hadid, who wowed in no fewer than five vintage gowns at Cannes, including three archival Versace looks, a Tom Ford-era Gucci number and an ’80s Chanel dress.
Ahead of the 76th iteration of the film festival—where we’ll be expecting to see more frocks pulled out of the archives—see the best vintage dresses to have ever graced the Cannes red carpet over the years, all below.
1 / 13
Angelina Jolie, 2007
In a 1950s Balmain couture dress at the premiere of A Mighty Heart.
2 / 13
Michelle Williams, 2008
In a vintage Chanel dress at the Adoration premiere.
3 / 13
Alexa Chung, 2011
In a white 1960s Balenciaga dress at the premiere of Sleeping Beauty.
4 / 13
Lara Stone, 2015
In a vintage Gianni Versace dress at the premiere of Youth.
5 / 13
Kirsten Dunst, 2016
In a sunny yellow dress by Dior from the 1950s.
6 / 13
Kate Moss, 2016
In a vintage one-shoulder dress by Halston at the premiere of Loving.
7 / 13
Vanessa Paradis, 2016
In a vintage monochrome dress by Chanel at the festival’s closing ceremony.
8 / 13
Penélope Cruz, 2018
In an archival Chanel gown for the premiere of Everybody Knows.
9 / 13
Cate Blanchett, 2018
In a black lace gown by Armani Privé that she previously wore at the Golden Globes in 2014.
10 / 13
Kristen Stewart, 2018
In a spring/summer 2013 Chanel couture gown at the festival’s closing ceremony.
11 / 13
Priyanka Chopra, 2019
In a dazzling gown from the Roberto Cavalli archives for the premiere of Rocketman.
12 / 13
Margot Robbie, 2019
In a sequined tunic and trouser set from Chanel’s spring/summer 2011 couture collection.
13 / 13
Bella Hadid, 2022
In an archival Gianni Versace gown dating back to 1987.
This article was first published on British Vogue.
