From Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s four jaw-dropping looks to Cate Blanchett’s living-painting Givenchy gown, the Palais steps delivered the most breathtaking fashion of the year
Words | Rohini Wahul
The 79th Cannes Film Festival reminded the world that no red carpet does glamour quite like the Palais des Festivals. From hand-embroidered couture to architectural silhouettes and Old Hollywood drama, the 2026 edition served some of the most stunning fashion moments in recent memory. Here are some StyleSpeak favourites.
Cate Blanchett in Givenchy by Sarah Burton
Blanchett arrived at the Garance premiere in the single most breathtaking gown of the festival. Designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy’s autumn-winter 2026 collection and inspired by a painting by Filipino artist Olan Ventura, the backless halter-neck featured intricate floral embroidery in satin stitch that glistened like wet paint, with two-foot fringe strands dripping from every flower. Matching Bonbon gloves and black and burgundy patent pumps completed the look. Beauty-wise, Blanchett kept it deliberately simple: blonde bob swept into a polished updo, letting the gown take every last bit of the credit.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan:One Festival, Four Looks
No one worked Cannes 2026 harder or more beautifully. Styled by Mohit Rai, Aishwarya delivered four distinct red carpet moments. First, a custom electric-blue Amit Aggarwal fishtail gown featuring his signature Crystal Vein embroidery, developed over 1,500 hours of handwork, with wing-like shoulder extensions and crystalline lattice detailing across the body. Then a blush Sophie Couture gown with bejewelled florals and a sheer cape. Third, a white Cheney Chan tuxedo with a sustainable feathered boa and cat-ear shawl that pushed tailoring into cinematic territory. Finally, a beige Fjolla Nila scalloped crystal gown with a feather cape. Her beauty across all four looks stayed consistently striking: open side-parted waves, kohl-rimmed eyes and a nude-pink lip that let every gown remain the focal point.
Sharon Stone in Miss Sohee
Stone brought regal drama to the Fjord premiere in a gown from Sohee Park’s spring 2026 couture collection. The strapless dress transitioned in an ombré from deep blue at the neckline to white at the hem, with crystal embellishments, exposed boning and purple wisteria embroidery at the waist, all paired with a coordinating organza cape. A 2.02 carat bluish-green Garatti diamond at her throat completed the look. Hairstylist Gui slicked back Stone’s bixie into a sleek silvery finish while makeup artist Aaron Paul kept eyes in soft mauve tones. The result was grown-up, effortless glamour at its finest.
Eva Longoria in Art Deco Gold
For the closing ceremony, Longoria chose a golden strapless gown covered in an Art Deco geometric starburst of sequins fanning out from the waist, with a hip-high slit and an elegant train pooling behind her. A diamond choker, matching bracelet and silver platform heels completed the look. Her long hair fell in smooth centre-parted waves, fresh-faced and luminous, letting the architectural gold gown command all the attention.
Shaking Xie’s Old Hollywood Monochrome
Chinese actress Shaking Xie delivered one of the opening night’s most theatrical moments in a black sequined fishtail gown with a structured train and a white ruffled bustier. Crystal-embellished black opera gloves caught every camera flash on the Palais steps. A polished updo, diamond jewellery and a deep classic lip completed her golden-age Hollywood homage flawlessly.
Cannes 2026 proved once again that the Palais steps remain the world’s most unforgiving and most magnificent stage for fashion. These were the five looks that rose above everything else.
