Cannes 2025: Official ban on naked dressing; here’s what it means

While Cannes never explicitly endorsed nudity in the past, this year marks the first time the festival has formally addressed the issue in its official dress code.

The 78th Cannes Film Festival, running from May 13 to 24, has introduced a significant update to its red carpet regulations — an official ban on nudity. As global attention turns to the prestigious festival, known as much for its fashion as for its films, this change has stirred discussion across the fashion and entertainment industries.

While Cannes never explicitly endorsed nudity in the past, this year marks the first time the festival has formally addressed the issue in its official dress code. The new policy states: “For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival. Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theatre are not permitted.”

The statement further clarifies that red carpet access will be denied to anyone not adhering to these updated rules. The festival's organizers emphasized the need for smooth crowd management and respectful presentation, adding that they “reserve the right to deny access to individuals whose attire could obstruct the movement of other guests or complicate seating arrangements in the screening rooms.”

This rule change arrives amid a growing trend of sheer, barely-there, and “nude illusion” dresses dominating red carpets globally. The new guideline seems to be a response to the increasing boldness in celebrity fashion choices, especially at high-profile events like Cannes, where fashion statements often rival the films themselves in headlines.

Also read: Cannes 2025: When, where and how to watch the film festival for Indian viewers

This year’s Indian representation at Cannes includes big names like Alia Bhatt, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Karan Johar, Shalini Passi, Parul Gulati, and Simi Garewal. As these stars grace the red carpet, all eyes will be on how they adapt to the new dress code — and what fashion statements they’ll make within the boundaries set by the festival.