2006 Cannes Red Carpet: Strict Dress Codes and Glamour
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival has kicked off in France, leading to a reflection on the 2006 event. Two decades prior, the red carpet upheld a stringent dress code: women were prohibited from wearing flat shoes, while men were required to don dinner jackets. Celebrities including Michelle Yeoh, Beyoncé, and Faye Dunaway opted for elegant gowns and fitted tuxedos, emphasizing sophistication over daring fashion. Beyoncé unveiled Dreamgirls in a striking blue halter dress by House of Deréon. In contrast, today's fashion scene has become more relaxed, with stars like Kristen Stewart and Alexander Skarsgard taking bolder fashion risks, such as short suits and leather boots, highlighting a significant shift in style norms since 2006.
Key facts
- 2026 Cannes Film Festival has kicked off in France.
- 2006 Cannes had a strict dress code: no flat shoes for women, mandatory dinner jackets for men.
- Beyoncé attended in a blue patterned halter dress from House of Deréon.
- Michelle Yeoh wore a sweeping yellow chiffon gown in 2006.
- Faye Dunaway appeared on the 2006 Cannes carpet.
- Kristen Stewart wore a Chanel short suit, baseball cap, and socks with heels in 2025.
- Alexander Skarsgard wore leather Saint Laurent wader boots with a black tuxedo in 2025.
- The fashion mood at Cannes has loosened significantly over 20 years.
Entities
Artists
- Michelle Yeoh
- Beyoncé
- Faye Dunaway
- Kristen Stewart
- Alexander Skarsgard
- Avril Lavigne
- Cate Blanchett
- Keanu Reeves
- Eva Longoria
- Chloe Sevigny
- Kerry Washington
- Halle Berry
- Paris Hilton
- Kirsten Dunst
- Penelope Cruz
- Pedro Almodovar
- Dita Von Teese
- Monica Bellucci
- Vincent Cassel
- 50 Cent
- Claudia Schiffer
- Sofia Coppola
- Eva Herzigova
- Diane Kruger
- Tina Knowles
Institutions
- Cannes Film Festival
- House of Deréon
- Chanel
- Saint Laurent
- Vogue
- Getty Images
Locations
- Cannes
- France
- Croisette
- La Croisette