- Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Hollywood star Halle Berry had to swap her custom Gaurav Gupta couture for a simpler Jacquemus gown after Cannes 2025 imposed new red carpet rules banning nudity and dramatic silhouettes, affecting several A-listers.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Hollywood icon Halle Berry made headlines at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival after being forced to change her much-anticipated red carpet look due to a sudden dress code alteration. The Academy Award-winning actress was originally set to wear a striking couture gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta. However, a new rule introduced by the festival just days before the event barred attire featuring “nudity or volume,” effectively banning her elaborate ensemble.
Speaking at a press conference for the Cannes jury, Berry revealed that the decision came at the very last minute. “I had an amazing dress by [Gaurav] Gupta to wear tonight, and I cannot wear it because the train’s too big,” she said, according to Variety. Although disappointed, Berry respected the change and opted to comply. “I had to make a pivot. But the nudity part, I do think, is probably also a good rule,” she added.
The actress, who is serving on this year’s Cannes jury, eventually arrived at the event in a black-and-white striped Jacquemus gown featuring a halter neckline and structured silhouette. The outfit complied with the updated red carpet protocol while still allowing Berry to showcase her signature elegance and flair.
The revised rules, officially issued on May 12, came as a shock to many A-listers and designers, who typically begin preparing their festival looks months in advance. The 2025 guidelines, stricter than ever before, explicitly prohibited any outfits displaying full nudity or causing red carpet congestion due to excessive volume. Organisers also emphasized their right to deny entry to individuals whose attire could delay screenings or disrupt the experience for others.
Berry wasn’t alone in facing the consequences of the sudden change. Numerous celebrities had to make last-minute wardrobe adjustments, with designers scrambling to meet the new criteria. The backlash highlights the ongoing tension between fashion expression and institutional regulation at prestigious global events.
Alongside Berry on the jury this year are Succession actor Jeremy Strong, Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia—who also made her Cannes jury debut, South Korean auteur Hong Sangsoo, French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani, Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher, Congolese documentarist Dieudo Hamadi, Mexican director Carlos Reygadas, and jury president Juliette Binoche.
While Berry’s initial red carpet vision was derailed, her graceful adaptation and continued support for designers like Gaurav Gupta drew praise from fashion critics and fans alike. Her decision to adhere to the new rules with elegance proves that even in couture compromises, style can still shine.
