Sequins Steal the Spotlight at Cannes 2025 Red Carpet

Forbes

28-05-2025

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 24: A guest attends the Closing Ceremony red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes ... More Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by)
Every year, the Cannes red carpet becomes fashion's most theatrical stage. And few embellishments command attention quite like sequins—those tiny discs of light that transform fabric into living, breathing spectacle. What began as ancient symbols of divine power has evolved into fashion's most democratic expression of glamour, capable of turning any wearer into a star.
The story of sequins begins not with Hollywood glamour, but with humanity's earliest impulse to adorn and elevate. As luxury fashion consultant Amanda Jane Valentine explains, "The embellishment of clothing is deeply tied to human development." Our earliest civilizations used beads and shells to create the foundational language of decorative fashion that would echo through millennia.
Fashion designer Ira Lysa notes that while sequins started as simple embellishments, they eventually became full-body statements, especially during the Art Deco era of the 1920s through the disco-influenced looks of the 1970s. This evolution reflects sequins' unique ability to transform not just garments, but entire silhouettes.
Stylist Khushnoor Verma captures the enduring appeal that keeps sequins relevant across decades: "I have always found myself instinctively including sequins into my work, not just for their sparkle, but for the texture, depth, and story they bring to an outfit. They evoke emotion and can transform a look from simple to striking with subtle placement."
This transformation—from simple to striking—represents sequins' fundamental power. They don't merely decorate; they elevate, creating what Verma describes as "opulent textiles that mark special occasions." Thanks to advances in textile design, Lysa observes, sequins have become more fluid and wearable, evolving from evening wear accents into high-fashion necessities.
Though the French government updated Cannes' dress code this year to prohibit nudity and "voluminous" gowns, the recent resurgence of sequins on the red carpet represents more than cyclical fashion trends—it reveals sequins' enduring allure and adaptability.
This year at Cannes, celebrities embraced sequins as power pieces, favoring monochromatic metallics and dramatic silhouettes. "Sequins definitely provide a great solution for creating the sense of drama and sophistication that Cannes looks are known for while maintaining the updated guidelines," Verma explains. "It's evidently visible how the naked dresses turned into sequined dresses on the carpet."
Dakota Johnson exemplified this shift, wearing a custom light pink Gucci dress that layered sequins beneath the garment's longline fringe, finishing the look with complementary silver earrings. Her ensemble demonstrated how sequins can create impact while respecting new guidelines, proving their versatility as both spectacle and sophistication.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: Dakota Johnson attends the "Highest 2 Lowest" red carpet at the 78th annual ... More Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by)
Irina Shayk delivered gothic glamour in a custom black Elie Saab creation, where sequins met feathers in perfect harmony. With wet-look hair, crimson lips, and sheer opera gloves, she transported the red carpet into a deliciously dark romance territory into a moody sophistication.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 15: Irina Shayk attends the "Dossier 137" (Case 137)" red carpet at the 78th ... More annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 15, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Elle Fanning bloomed in Giorgio Armani Privé, wearing a teal masterpiece where sequined roses climbed from her modest train to the top of her strapless bodice. The floral motifs created a garden of light against the shimmering teal backdrop for a dramatic, yet delicate look.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 21: Elle Fanning attends the "Affeksjonsverdi" (Sentimental Value) red carpet ... More at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 21, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage)
Toni Garrn chose architectural drama in Elie Saab Haute Couture, featuring an intricate sequined cutout corset and cape styled with wide-leg trousers. Classic diamond jewels completed a look that balanced structure with sparkle.
Toni Garrn at the "Vie Privée" Premiere during The 78th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals ... More on May 20, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty Images)
Eva Longoria proved that confidence trumps cost in a chocolate brown sequin slip dress with spaghetti straps and plunging neckline. Her sleek updo let the dress speak for itself, and her revelation that the stunning piece cost just $40 reminded everyone that style isn't about price tags—it's about presence.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 20: Eva Longoria and José Antonio Bastón are seen at the Hotel Martinez during ... More day eight of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/GC Images)
Alexander Skarsgård broke gender boundaries by pairing a pinstripe wool Magliano suit coat with dark blue sequin pants from British designer Bianca Saunders. Working with celebrity stylist Harry Lambert, he proved that men can command red carpet attention with unexpected, bold choices.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: Alexander Skarsgård attends the "Eagles Of The Republic" (Les Aigles De La ... More République) red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by)
Ciara embodied effortless elegance in a white sequin asymmetric dress with cascading ruffles. The piece struck the perfect balance between comfort and red carpet glamour, proving sequins can feel both relaxed and refined.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 21: Ciara attends the "The History Of Sound" red carpet at the 78th annual ... More Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 21, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Alia Bhatt brought cultural sophistication in a bespoke sari where nude tones shimmered with sequin embroidery. Gucci's signature GG monogram was rendered in delicate mesh, creating a stunning fusion of traditional Indian craftsmanship and Italian luxury that celebrated both heritage and innovation.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 24: Alia Bhatt attends the closing ceremony red carpet at the 78th annual ... More Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by)
The range of use of sequins during the 78th Cannes Film Festival this year has proved that this embellishment remains interesting, innovative, and at the forefront of a fashion revolution gracing the red carpet.