By Zsófi Benyi

It is mid-May, and we all crave a sun-brushed summer escape: let me take you somewhere in South France very special to celebrate it being unofficially summer as we watch movie stars take over Cannes Film Festival. A fashion razzle-dazzle meeting the heights of the Oscars and the Met, where the most talked of films premiere along with iconic looks like Madonna’s 1991 Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra or Bella Hadid rocking a 2021 Schiaparelli Couture dress and gold, lung-like breastplate to match.

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Viola Davis understood the task of old Hollywood glamour and, with Valentino magic, stole breaths looking lavished in fur. Anja Rubik instead went for the cool girl who turns heads looking effortless: red lips, blonde bob, silk top, fitted black trousers and classy glossy heels. Saint Laurent has been giving superstars minimalist glamour and the essence of elegance that arrived with Laura Harrier as she stepped out. Finally, the summer night at the so-romantic Riviera rose to angelic leagues as the Victoria’s Secret Supermodels: Sara Sampaio as a fresh orange goddess in Zuhair Murad, Grace Elizabeth and hot husband showing up as the best-looking Hollywood couple yet, Naomi Campbell gleaming in custom Celine (she brought her white movie-star sunglasses), Alessandra Ambrosio in In Elie Saab couture and Pomellato jewelry, Romee Strijd in a black gown embellished at the neckline with rosettes, took over the French carpets. Once one’s walked the Sunkissed carpets, the curtains glide aside to unveil both rising talent and old masters capturing stories that can spark your interest: Nazis in love (The Zone of Interest), archaeologists in gear (La Chimera by Italian director Alice Rohrwacher who caught a short Oscar nomination), an actress catching a relationship with the woman she portrays on film (May December with Natalie Portman), and you will even find an occasional Indiana Jones movie.

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