U nless you are on a digital detox, you have probably noticed that the Cannes film festival is taking place right now, with a battalion of celebrities descending on the Côte d’Azur. For 12 days in May, the festival turns the resort town into a catwalk. From the not-so-subtle arrivals at Nice airport (see English actor Joe Alwyn, fresh off the plane in a full new-season Bottega Veneta look, including leather trousers and a gargantuan £4,000 bag) to the five or so glamorous premieres a day, it has become one of the biggest events in fashion.
Be it for the parties or the “off-duty” daytime looks, this is the time for Hollywood stars and their stylists to bring their A-game. But it’s not just big-screen fixtures stepping into the spotlight. This year it’s the directors, more usually found behind the camera, who have become the somewhat unexpected stars of the Croisette.
While actors are often restricted to wearing brands they have deals with (Emma Stone has a multimillion-dollar Louis Vuitton one), directors are free to choose what and who they wear and they are unlikely to be paid to wear a piece. And this year at Cannes, there is a clear style that feels characterful and chic. Here’s a roundup of their best looks so far.
Steve McQueen View image in fullscreen Buttoned up ...
Steve McQueen. Photograph: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock The British film director has made a simple chore jacket his signature both for long days on set and for fancier evening events. The sty.