As many may know by now, after the 2025 surprise set of rules set in place for the Cannes Film Festival, which “prohibited” nudity on the red carpet, many thought the naked dress trend would die after that. Nope! In 2026, Kelly Rutherford arrived in a dress that was ever-so-subtly a naked dress, and it caused quite a stir. But once upon a time, the Cannes Film Festival was the spot to confidently free the nipple on the red carpet!
The most iconic moments at the Cannes Film Festival were almost always the red carpet fashion, including times that celebrities freed the nipple on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. The most famous instance may be Bella Hadid’s sheer Saint Laurent gown from 2024, but did you know an actress arrived topless? Did you know a royal freed the nipple on the red carpet at Cannes?
While the age scandalous naked looks at Cannes, may be over (for now), we’re looking back at some of the most daring ones.
Below, check out which celebrities freed the nipple at the Cannes Film Festival!
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Stella Maxwell (2025)
Image Credit: Getty Images
Stella Maxwell turned heads in a sparkling black naked dress from Cheney Chan at the The Phoenician Scheme premiere!
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Bella Hadid (2024)
Image Credit: Michael Buckner
At the premiere of The Apprentice in 2024, Bella Hadid dared to bare it all in this sheer Saint Laurent dress.
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Celeste Brunnquell (2024)
Image Credit: FilmMagic
French actress Celeste Brunnquell arrived at Cannes in a lilac, sheer ensemble that let her free the nipple!
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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (2024)
Image Credit: FilmMagic
For the premiere of The Shrouds, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley confidently freed the nipple in this sheer black gown!
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Nadia Lee Cohen (2024)
Image Credit: Gisela Schober/Getty Images
British artist Nadia Lee Cohen also dared at the 2024 Cannes in this black mesh dress at the premiere of The Shrouds.
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Hari Nef (2023)
Image Credit: Getty Images
Back in 2023, Hari Nef freed the nipple in an angelic white tulle gown!
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Rochelle Humes (2022)
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Singer and TV host Rochelle Humes attended the screening of Top Gun: Maverick in a nipple-baring gown from Celia Kritharioti!
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LaToya Forever (2022)
Image Credit: Getty Images
Back in 2022, YouTuber LaToya Forever turned heads in a sheer, red floral gown!
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Mélanie Thierry (2021)
Image Credit: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
French actress Mélanie Thierry also opted to free the nipple at the Tralala premiere in 2021 in this sparkling sheer dress.
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Caroline Receveur (2019)
Image Credit: WireImage
French blogger Caroline Receveur freed the nipple in a sparkling white gown for the screening of Les Plus Belles Annees D’Une Vie.
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Winnie Harlow (2019)
Image Credit: Getty Images
Who can forget when supermodel Winnie Harlow wowed in this ruffled red gown that let her subtly free the nipple?
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Kendall Jenner (2018)
Image Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage
Even big fans of the Kardashian-Jenner clan weren’t expecting Kendall Jenner to bare it all at the 2018 Cannes. She wore this white tulle look at the premiere of Girls Of The Sun (Les Filles Du Soleil).
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Lady Victoria Hervey (2014)
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Lady Victoria Hervey, daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol, freed the nipple in a glittering lilac gown back in 2014!
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Alexandra Kerry (2004)
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Director Alexandra Kerry, daughter of former US Presidential Candidate John Kerry, turned heads in a completely sheer black, one-shoulder gown to the premiere of Kill Bill II!
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Victoria Abril (1997)
Image Credit: PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP via Getty Images
Spanish actress Victoria Abril gave photographers a peek into her totally sheer shirt at the premiere of The Brave in 1997.
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Edy Williams (1977)
Image Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images
In a truly unexpected moment, actress Edy Williams, appeared topless at the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977.
