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The Cannes Film Festival is the most notorious of all red carpets for its strict dress code. The institution proudly regards its 70-year-old traditions as integral elements of the glamor and exclusivity of the festival. The guidelines specify tuxedos and ties for men, and gowns and heels for women. This is somewhat at odds with gender equality and fluidity in modern fashion.
Despite the strict rules, there have been rebels since the beginning. The eccentric artist Pablo Picasso wore a corduroy suit and shearling overcoat to the festival in 1953. Cannes Film Festival reports that he received a special "dispensation" to enter the festival with that coat.
The famed writer refused to change out of his normal clothes so he was ejected from the screenings, even though he was serving as a juror at the festival!
Adult film star and Italian politician Ilona Staller is notorious for exposing herself in public, particularly when there are large crowds and cameras. At the 1985 event, she arrived wearing a sheer white cut-out dress that left literally nothing to the imagination.
The French comedian known as "Coluche" went to the 1986 red carpet in drag. While it was more a comedic play on the dress code rather than a political statement, it still caused quite a stir.
The Queen of Pop arrived at the Cannes premiere of her movie ‘In bed with Madonna’ wearing a long pink robe. At the top of the red carpet she revealed the classic Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra ensemble hiding underneath.
Uma Thurman defied the highcheels rule by showing up in flat sandals at the 2011 festival where she was acting as a juror.
Therman was not alone that year. French actress Inès de La Fressange also wore flat sandals with her gown.
In 2016, Susan Sarandon eschewed the gown and wore a sharp black suit and pointed flats.
That same year, Julia Roberts famously walked the red carpet with no shoes at all. The down-to-earth actress famously hates heels. She looked exceptionally glamorous barefoot in her black Armani dress.
Actress Vanessa Redgrave somehow made it onto the red carpet wearing a pair of white Converse sneakers. Then again, who would be brave enough to turn her away?
Kristen Stewart removed her Louboutin heels in the middle of the red carpet and continued in bare feet. In an interview she shared her position that if the festival won’t ask men to wear a dress and heels then they can’t ask her to either.
In 2019, the Editor-in-Chief of Variety Claudia Eller was refused entry to the festival due to her attire and flat shoes. She filmed her argument with the security guard and was eventually let in after threatening to post it online.
A festival with such strict and archaic rules doesn’t leave much room for fluidity. DJ Kiddy Smile wore a floral gown to the premiere of ‘Pain and Glory’ in 2019. He was initially denied entrance by the gatekeepers, who asked him whether or not his outfit was traditional African attire.
Despite backlash against their archaic traditions, the Cannes Film Festival actually took a further step back in 2018 when they decided to forbid selfies on the red carpet. The festival director Thierry Frémaux stated that the practice of taking selfies was grotesque and ridiculous. He said that they were trying to restore some decency.
In 2019, singer Pixie Lott and model Oliver Cheshire broke this rule. Security guards rushed to stop the pair who were taking a selfie together.
Bette Davis famously wore a simple outfit to the 1936 Oscars. She wanted to be released from a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers so she showed up in something totally inappropriate. Her plan worked, and also pushed the organizers to apply a strict dress code for future events.
Barbra Streisand famously wore her sheer sequined pant suit to the Oscars in 1969, when she won Best Actress for her role in ‘Funny Girl.’ She was reportedly surprised that it became totally transparent under the camera lights!
Cher broke the red carpet in 1986 with one of her most famous Bob Mackie ensembles. The feathered headdress and low cut two-piece showgirl outfit were extremely risqué for the time. She said she felt that members of the Academy didn’t consider her a serious actress. However, she won the Oscar for best actress two years later.
Never one to abide by the rules, Diane Keaton wore an incredible three-piece Ralph Lauren suit to the 2004 ceremony.
Young actor Timothée Chalamet is becoming one of the most anticipated red carpet arrivals. He surprised everyone at the 2020 Oscars when he completely ignored the dress code and arrived looking like a chic mechanic.
Rita Ora attended the MTV EMAs in 2017 wearing a robe and hair towel.
Lady Gaga wore this incomprehensible outfit with furry headpiece to the launch of her album 'Artpop' in 2013.
Ezra Miller was suitably dressed for a November night in Paris when he arrived at the premiere for ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald.’ The actor arrived in a Moncler puffer gown, complete with head cap, gloves, and purple lipstick.
To see which other male celebs have the most fearless fashion sense, click here.
The Academy Awards are a black-tie event. This means formal suits, and gowns for the ladies. In recent years it has become less strict, but there is still plenty of scope for attendees to flaunt their rebelliousness.
The most prestigious awards ceremonies were founded almost a century ago. It's expected that there were strict gender binary dress codes in the 1930s, but what about today? Many celebrities feel that these film institutions need to get with the times and relax the rules for those walking the red carpet.
Let's take look at some of the defiant stars who didn't like being told what to do, and showed it. Click through the gallery to get started.
A history of rebellion on the red carpet
Not all celebrities play by the rules
CELEBRITY Fashion
The most prestigious awards ceremonies were founded almost a century ago. It's expected that there were strict gender binary dress codes in the 1930s, but what about today? Many celebrities feel that these film institutions need to get with the times and relax the rules for those walking the red carpet.
Let's take look at some of the defiant stars who didn't like being told what to do, and showed it. Click through the gallery to get started.