Bella Hadid’s see-through dress was ‘shocking’ for ‘sophisticated and elegant’ Cannes – she ‘should’ve dialed it down’
BELLA Hadid lost her Queen of Cannes fashion title the moment she set foot on the film festival’s iconic red carpet, a stylist has said.
She claimed the once-lauded trendsetter challenged the event’s dress code after she ditched her bra and put on a sheer halterneck.
Bella, 27, is famed for throwing out daring looks.
Her comeback appearance at the 77th Cannes Film Festival was no exception.
After a two-year hiatus, Bella hit the red carpet for The Apprentice screening on Friday.
The supermodel opted for a pricey Saint Laurent cocktail dress by Anthony Vaccarello.
She teamed it with La Scandale wedges and Chopard jewelry.
The tan number matched her skin, and a rushed bodice linked the sheer top and bottom sections.
New York stylist Tavia Sharp said it was “shocking” Bella did not cover her breasts at the prestigious French event.
The Orebealla founder last attended in 2022 and opted for a more demure look.
Her long white gown by Gucci had cutouts around her hips.
“This sheer, naked section of the 2024 dress stopped just below the crotch,” Sharp told The U.S. Sun.
“The top half of the dress made Bella look completely bare.
“It was as if she had someone’s stockings draped over her naked breasts.
Before, Bella was the Queen of Cannes, but with this naked dress, it has gone wrong for her.”
Tavia Sharp
“It seemed shocking that she would not have anything covering at least some of her breasts.
“The color also matched her skin tone to help her stand out.
“Before, Bella was the Queen of Cannes, but with this naked dress, it has gone wrong for her.
“Bella seemed to be hungry for attention.”
CLASSY DRESS CODE
For a week, the film festival sees stars supporting premieres and parties across the quaint European town.
Selena Gomez, Ann Joy Taylor, Eva Longoria, and Meryl Streep have been on the red carpet roster.
The black-tie dress code and red-carpet rules include wearing heels.
“To attend the Gala screenings, a dinner jacket (tuxedo) with a bow tie or evening dress is required,” the latest rules state.
“In the absence of this, you may wear a cocktail dress, a dark trouser suit, a dressy top with black trousers, a black dress, a black or midnight blue suit with a bow tie….
“Elegant shoes, with or without heels, are required, the rules conclude, forbidding sneakers.
And the stars know it.
“There’s a distinct dress code,” Kristen Stwart told The Hollywood Reporter after she took off her heels in 2017.
“People get very upset at you if you don’t wear heels or whatever.”
Chris Hemsworth forgot his tie at the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiere this year and broke the black tie code.
According to the fashion bible WWD, a Vogue employee was turned away in 2023 because of his colorful outfit.
BROKEN RULES
Sharp maintained the Cannes red carpet meant “conservative” gowns.
Stars are known to bring out “classic” dresses and tuxes.
“Cannes is more conservative than other red carpets,” she said.
“Typically, people are a little more covered up, and celebrities should wear classic looks.
This is not about Hollywood movie releases where the stars are there to wow and wear whatever they want.
Tavia Sharp
“There are also unsaid rules, so Bella would know that everything needs to be dialed down.
“This is a very elegant film industry event in a European location.
“It is focused on professional filmmaking and promoting the lower budget films and the Indies.
“This is not about Hollywood movie releases where the stars are there to wow and wear whatever they want.
“This means chic, elegant, and understated fashion for the media, film industry, and fans.
“Then we come to Bella Hadid,” who didn’t fit in “despite her dress being by a French designer.
“Bella was technically wearing a cocktail dress.
“They would not have expected to add anything in about being half-naked or showing nipple.”
Bella became a fashion favorite after she appeared at La Croisette in 2015.
Titled the Queen of Cannes by stylist Law Roach, she continued to show off many designer outfits.
Bella looked stunning in 2019 in a silk red dress for the The Unknown Girl premiere.
Her 2021 Schiarpelli gown did not disappoint.
WELL HEELED
Sharp agreed that Bella was always confident in her choices at the Palais des Festivals this time.
“Bella is famed for taking risks with her style,” she said.
Bella might have tried to tone it all down with the shoes, but otherwise did not seem to care.
Tavia Sharp
“She has also never had a problem showing off her physique and body.
“She has been getting sexier with her looks, which is fine, but Cannes was not the place to carry on this trajectory.
“The only aspect she got right was the heels. The shoe was also specific and an exciting choice.
“Because they are more conservative and work on the red carpet as they are closed around her toes.
“Bella might have tried to tone it all down with the shoes, but otherwise did not seem to care.”
The Washington, DC native and sister of model Gigi Hadid has previously responded to criticism about her style.
“Anyone who doesn’t like my style … It’s a good thing it’s mine. And not yours!!” she wrote in an Instagram story post in the past.
Interestingly, when Bella arrived in Cannes on Sunday, Sharp said her casual dress did not fit either.
“Then she was photographed in a brown mini dress with Prada heels,” she said.
“This dress was suitable for the daytime but did not fit her properly either.”
RIVAL STAR
Sharp said it was Selena Gomez who hit the mark this season.
“This year, Selena Gomez looked great,” she added.
“She looked elegant in all her clothes, including some elegant looks.
“While Selena still showed some cleavage, it was done in a very classy and sophisticated way.
“Bella’s dress seemed inappropriate and unnecessary.”