Conservative Fashion Takes Center Stage at Cannes Festival: The new rules aim to protect “decency” and seating arrangements, but they have sparked controversy among those who read them.
Dressing for Freedom: The Battle Over Cannes’ New Red Carpet Rules
Fashion has long been a mechanism of social control, but it also offers a means of transgression and empowerment. As the Cannes film festival gears up for its 12-day celebration of cinema, the event’s organizers have decreed that various outfits will not be allowed on the red carpet this year. The new rules aim to protect ‘decency’ and seating arrangements, but they have sparked controversy among those who read them.
The Rules: A Push Towards Conservatism?
The official statement released earlier this week stated that there will be ‘no naked dressing‘ – and no oversized outfits either – ‘in particular those with a large train that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theatre’. Instead, encouraged are cocktail and black dresses, and ‘a dark-coloured pantsuit’.
The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film events globally, attracting A-list celebrities and industry professionals.
To maintain its high standards, the festival adheres to strict red carpet rules.
Guests are required to arrive on time, dress formally in black-tie attire, and refrain from using mobile phones or cameras during interviews.
The festival also has specific guidelines for 'photographers' , including designated areas and restricted access to certain celebrities.
These rules aim to ensure a smooth and respectful experience for all attendees.
While the rules only apply to those attending evening screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, it became clear that the memo had not reached every suite at the Carlton. Several A-list celebrities, including Halle Berry, Eva Longoria, and Heidi Klum, arrived wearing gowns of some girth, while a handful of lesser-known names broke the code with their revealing outfits.
The Controversy: Policing Women’s Bodies
The new rules have become a lightning rod over the continued policing of women’s bodies in the public sphere. Feminists like Natasha Walter argue that fashion can be a mechanism of social control, but it also offers a means of transgression and empowerment. ‘If fashion can be a mechanism of social control,’ writes Einav Rabinovitch-Fox, ‘it also offers a means of transgression and empowerment.’
Body policing refers to the practice of controlling and judging women's bodies, often based on societal beauty standards.
Research shows that 65% of women experience body dissatisfaction, which can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Historically, women have been subject to restrictive dress codes and beauty norms, perpetuating the idea that their bodies are not their own.
By examining these dynamics, we can better understand the ways in which body policing affects women's lives and identities.
Walter, the author of Living Dolls, is not a fan of the whole naked trend, which she says ‘bolsters objectification and hyper-sexualisation of women in the public eye’. However, she feels banning it is counterproductive. ‘It’s like school uniforms for girls. The tiny skirt becomes an act of rebellion.‘
Natasha Walter is a British author and feminist.
She was born in 1970 in the United Kingdom.
Walter's writing focuses on women's rights, social justice, and cultural critique.
Her book 'Living Dolls: The Cultural Contamination of Civilisation' (2006) explores the impact of consumer culture on modern society.
Walter has contributed to various publications, including The Guardian and The Times Literary Supplement.
A Step Backwards?
The diktat has been seen wildly at odds with the festival itself, which has little or no rules about the amount of nudity on screen. The organizers’ decision to restrict women’s clothing choices has sparked concern that the red carpet might divert attention away from the film.
‘It does feel like a backward step,’ says Walter. ‘We are in a cultural moment where we talk about freedom but what you get is that it falls back into what looks suspiciously like objectification.‘
The Rules: A Mixed Bag
The rule surrounding big dresses has also sparked controversy. ‘Saying what [women] can’t do won’t solve the issue [because it] suggests that the only way women can get our attention is by wearing huge clothes,’ Walter says. It simply boosts the idea that ‘women are not appreciated for their talent so they feel the need to take up space in other ways’.
The new rules have also been met with criticism from men, who argue that they are being unfairly targeted. Jeremy Strong, a member of the jury, flouted the rules by wearing a hot peach tux.
The Fashion Statement
Ultimately, the new red carpet rules at Cannes are a reflection of the ongoing debate about women’s bodies in the public sphere. While some see them as a push towards conservatism, others view them as an attempt to reclaim their own sexuality through fashion. As the festival continues, it remains to be seen how these rules will impact the event and its attendees.
Modesty Factor
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Halle Berry: 9/10
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Heidi Klum: 8/10
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Hofit Golan: 6/10
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Jeremy Strong: 9/10
