Dear Spirit of Spring,
The Cannes Film Festival, which is in its 76th edition this spring, is always one of the highlights on the A-Lister calendar, and 2023 certainly did not disappoint. Known for its particular brand of glitz and glamour, it always boasts one of the most interesting and exciting red carpets of the year. It gives out the Palm D'or Award, which is certainly one of the most coveted prizes in the entertainment industry.
The Cannes Film Festival, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world, was founded in 1946. It is an invitation-only festival held annually at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. Boasting the finest couture gowns to the most precious of jewellery, the stars, stylists and fashion houses really strive for the apex of style when it comes to Cannes. Perhaps because it is the French Riviera, so it has that indefinable je ne sais quoi style that’s truly French: A charming mixture of that old and new that makes it always a fun style watch. This year is a splendid example:
Elle Fanning made a spectacular entrance in a dramatic Alexander McQueen gown, an epitome of classic glamour with its structured, embellished bodice and enormous tulle skirt. Natalie Portman was another standout, wearing an iconic archival Dior couture gown which is one of Christian Dior’s most famous dresses of all time. Named “Junon” after the Roman goddess, the dress was originally created for the house’s autumn/winter 1949/50 collection. It is a first direct recreation of the dress, although hardly the first time it has been replicated, or even referenced by the French house for its iconic petalled layers. Scarlett Johansson wore a pink satin column dress by Prada. Irina Shayk wore a low-cut Armani Privé gown. Lalisa wore a glittering Celine suit; and Fan Bingbing walked the red carpet in a series of very dramatic gowns from various designers, with some very questionable hairdos. Lily-Rose Depp wore a vintage Chanel mini dress, and so did Jennie from Blackpink, but a new design; Michelle Yeoh in custom Balenciaga was the picture-perfect movie queen; Isabelle Huppert wore Balenciaga, but the lace dress was rather less imperious.
Carla Bruni posed on the iconic Cannes steps in a blue Saint Laurent dress, looking impossibly chic; Cate Blanchett looked quite majestic wearing custom Louis Vuitton; Aishwarya Rai wore a sculptural fantasy gown, while Charlotte Casiraghi wore Chanel couture; The supermodel Naomi Campbell shimmered in silver Celine; Helen Mirren wore tone-on-tone – with blue hair for her blue gown. Last but not least, Catherine Deneuve, the French screen goddess, wore a Louis Vuitton.
ABARA celebrates all the looks and all the glamour by suggesting how our new collection of handbags can complement the best outfits, giving polish and elegance!
