Best Dressed: Cannes 2012
- 1/10
Who: Kristen Stewart What: Red Reem Acra gown Where: Cosmopolis premiere Why We Love It: As much as Stewart seems to be gritting her teeth on the red carpet, she's been consistently upping her fashion game. After throwing down some amazing floral print pants and a gorgeous embellished Balenciaga gown earlier in the fest, the actress stunned in this low-cut number in high-octane red. Ironically, it's her apparent indifference that's made Stewart's festival looks work so well: the slightly ratty hair, insouciant slouch and rarely an accessory, save a Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet. Photo by Keystone Press
- 2/10
Who: Diane Kruger What: Christian Dior Couture gown Where: Therese Desqueyroux premiere Why We Love It: When one of the best dressed women in the world is a judge at the most glamorous film fest on earth, you know you're in for a good show. Kruger didn't disappoint. The German actress pulled out all the stops, dressing in sexy, modern dresses for daytime photocalls and breaking into all-out glamour for the evening premieres. It's difficult to pick a favourite (the little Versus dresses, the liquid Vivienne Westwood…how to choose?), so we'll leave you with Kruger's parting look, a light-as-air ball gown with panniers that have presence on Cannes' colossal red carpet. Photo by Keystone Press
- 3/10
Who: Freida Pinto What: Salvatore Ferragamo halter top and skirt Where: Desert Dancer photocall Why We Love It: Freida Pinto had a banner festival, sporting a handful of beautiful looks during the first few days of Cannes and stepping up as a real red carpet player. The Indian actress wore a trio of sexy dresses with thigh-high slits to the evening premieres, including a stunning Michael Angel gown with a colourful crystal bodice at Moonrise Kingdom, but for shear chic we absolutely love this striped Ferragamo ensemble. Pinto looks laid back, fresh and incredibly pretty. Photo by George Pimentel
- 4/10
Who: Kirsten Dunst What: Dolce & Gabbana dress and headband Where: On The Road photocall Why We Love It: We always look forward to Dunst's arrival at Cannes (or, really, anywhere). She has a keen sense of glamour, but never in the expected chiffon-and-sequins manner of many a red carpet look. The pink silk gown Christian Dior gown Dunst wore to the On The Road gala was simple perfection, but for us it was her glorious white photocall dress that made the biggest impression. The laser-cut flowers gave the form-fitting frock unexpected texture, and garden-worthy headband was definitely more haute than hippie. Photo by Keystone Press
- 5/10
Who: Jada Pinkett-Smith What: Atelier Versace gown Where: Madagascar 3 premiere Why We Love It: Jada Pinkett-Smith came to Cannes with her style guns blazing. Her looks included a retro-futurist Paco Rabanne with pointed shoulders, a studded Versace mini-dress, and a nearly see-through gown (during the day). The high-point of this tough-sexy line-up was the safety-orange Versace with a de rigueur thigh-high slit. The strapless bodice, outlined in gold, showed of Pinkett-Smith's toned shoulders and stick-straight hairdo was slicked back just enough to peep her undercut. Photo by Keystone Press
- 6/10
Who: Paz Vega What: Stéphane Rolland feathered gown Where: Madagascar 3 premiere Why We Love It: The scale of the Cannes red carpet rewards an outsized statement. The top of Vega's Stéphane Rolland couture gown is sleek and streamlined--modernist, even--with sexy cut-outs and a slice of gold that would make for a stunning dress on their own. The bottom half then gives way to an arresting feathered mermaid train--a red carpet classic. Combined, the two halves make for an attention-grabbing whole. Photo by Keystone Press
- 7/10
Who: Jessica Chastain What: Gucci Première gown Where: Lawless premiere Why We Love It: Chastain's style is hit and miss for us, but she really did have a great Cannes. Her blush-coloured Gucci gown looked dreamy with its layers of chiffon and gold sequin sunburst. The actress played up the gown's ethereal quality with extra-long waves twisted back into a pretty half-up hairstyle. Photo by Keystone Press
- 8/10
Who: Nicole Kidman What: Beaded Ralph Lauren gown Where: Hemingway and Gellhorn premiere Why We Love It: With the upcoming film version of The Great Gatsby, prepare yourself for an uptick in art deco-esque style. Nicole Kidman is already there, donning a '20s-inspired black column dress with graphic outlines in gold sequins. Her ringlet updo leaves the focus on the gown's long silhouette, which flows from form-fitting halter to subtly-fluted hem in one elegant line. Photo by Keystone Press
- 9/10
Who: Nina Dobrev What: Elie Saab sequin gown Where: AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala Why We Love It:Here Dobrev manages the neat trick of making an elegant evening gown looked shrugged on like a favourite sweater. Don't get us wrong: There's nothing casual about the gowns soaring slit and textural blue sequins, but actress' offhand stance and ever-so-slightly-wispy bun make her look effortlessly statuesque. Photo by Keystone Press
- 10/10
Who: Milla Jovovich What: Gold Prada gown Where: De Grisgono party Why We Love It: Surprise! It's another entry into the Best Thigh-High Slits of Cannes category. Jovovich glows in this plunging Prada. The actress' side-swept bob shows off her drop earrings beautifully, adding drama to a V-neck framed by extra-large spangles. Photo by Getty Images