I watched. I gawked. I judged. My favorite — and least favorite — looks on the 2025 Cannes Film Festival red carpet.

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has come and gone, but the winners and the fashion are forever.

My colleague Kelsey Weekman was on the scene, making it her literal mission to attend the Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning premiere, talk to moviegoers about their favorite films/stars and (unsuccessfully) search for influencers. She also briefed us on this year’s Cannes dress code policy changes, including the ban on nudity (no “naked” dresses) and voluminous outfits (no gridlock-causing superlong trains).

As a result, fewer nipples were freed at the typically freestylin’ event, but celebrities still pushed the limits with fashion — and turned heads, as they do.

Bella Hadid was strategic about her skin baring, Kristen Stewart left most of her buttons undone and Heidi Klum trained away because she didn’t have the time to change her dress. They were among many dazzlers, also including A$AP Rocky and Rihanna, Halle Berry and Pedro Pascal.

Here, we share the looks that we loved — and then some — straight outta the French Riviera.

Most on the fringe: Dakota Johnson

The actress, in Cannes to support her film Splitsville, was a cotton candy dream in this strapless Gucci gown with sequin embroidery and fringe. We aren’t sure how Johnson stood still for a single second on the carpet. We’d just be twisting back and forth, whipping everyone around us. So much so that festival organizers would probably make a new red carpet fashion rule banning fringe.

Be$t couple: A$AP Rocky and Rihanna

Nobody was going to rain on their parade. At the premiere of Highest 2 Lowest, in which the rapper stars, the weather wasn’t in their favor, but they popped open an umbrella-ella-ella and rolled on side by side. Rocky wore a Miu Miu suit, while a pregnant Rihanna kicked off her Smurfette era (she voices the character in this summer’s live-action Smurfs film) in a bright blue Alaïa dress that gave playful glimpses of her bump.

Best rule breaker: Heidi Klum

The Project Runway host/judge was sorry not sorry to break the rules by showing skin and rocking a long train. Klum told Access Hollywood that organizers should “have told us [ahead of time]” about the changes, “not the day before.” After all, “these dresses are planned ahead of time, fitted ... I didn’t have anything else.” So there.

Most dolled up: Aliia Roza

The Russian spy turned empowerment coach channeled her inner Cinderella in this ball gown. However, there was an overload of messaging. The girl power to the max along the bottom could have been a one and done, but then there was a giant dove, confetti, the festival palms. Some of the charm got lost.

Most true to herself: Kristen Stewart

The Chronology of Water director does fashion on her own terms. The star — sporting dip-dyed pink hair — wore a baseball cap, white socks with black heels, and a mini tie with her custom white satin Chanel shorts suit that showcased her new NSFW tattoo. Stewart also wore white sneakers under her barely buttoned pink Chanel shorts suit with a sheer shirt. It was stylish, but bold and modern. Keep doing you, K-Stew.

Most daring: Bella Hadid

Historically, the supermodel has pushed the boundaries at Cannes, putting a lot of skin in the game. This year, she got dangerously close to breaking rules in the Saint Laurent dress she wore to the opening ceremony, with its hip-high slit, low-cut sides and a dangerously deep back, but she expertly walked the line.

Best hometown pride: Spike Lee

You can take Lee out of New York, but you can’t take New York out of Lee. The Highest 2 Lowest director’s love of the Knicks radiated in France as he wore an orange and blue suit, hat and eyeglasses. From his hips to the Knicks scoreboard.

Worst for letting anyone get near her: Farhana Bodi

The Dubai Bling star and influencer dubbed herself “Bling Barbie” in this Atelier Zuhra gown — and went all in on the pink. The pop-up petal cape twisted around her head and body, giving mandatory space between her and others. Meanwhile, that bobbing piece of pointed fabric on her dress looked like it could have doubled as a weapon. Luckily, no injuries were sustained.

Best pastels: Jeremy Strong

The Succession actor kept a poker face while serving as a judge at the film festival, which is pretty much his favorite expression. Further making his love of basic brown a thing of the past, he wore muted colored outfits — light green, blue — that were mostly monochrome with matching sunglasses. He rocked bow ties like the best of them — and once again showed his undying love for the bucket hat, as only he can.

Best pivot: Halle Berry

The actress, who also served as a juror, had to ditch one of her planned outfits at the last minute due to the red carpet rules, but she landed on her stilettoed feet. Berry had a lot of outfit changes, given her role, and aced the assignment, whether it was day or night activities. She looked old Hollywood on closing night, gorgeous leading lady at the official dinner and was Chanel chic in between. What a pro.

Wear a muscle tee but make it fashion! The Last of Us actor flexed his muscles at a Magnificent Life photo call wearing a Calvin Klein Collection sleeveless wool tunic, matching pants and studded Jil Sander shoes. Like pretty much everything he does, the internet loved it.