Halle Berry had to dump her Gaurav Gupta couture at Cannes 2025 because of the last minute ¡®no nudity, no volume¡¯ rule

Halle Berry was all set to own the Cannes 2025 red carpet in a jaw-dropping Gaurav Gupta couture when the fashion gods (read: Cannes organisers) said... nope. And just like that, the Academy Award-winning star found herself scrambling for a plan B, thanks to a brand-new, buzzkill dress code that bans both nudity and volume. Yes, you read that right, Cannes is officially over its love affair with dramatic trains and skin-baring ensembles.

Here's why Halle Berry dumped her Gaurav Gupta couture at Cannes | Credit: X

Cannes 2025 rule book for outfits: No nudity, no volume

This year¡¯s red carpet rolled out with a side of fashion police, enforcing a strict set of rules that pretty much made sure no one upstaged the carpet itself. The annual gala, held at the Grand Th¨¦?tre Lumi¨¨re, issued its decree on May 12: no see-through madness, no scandalous slits, and absolutely no gowns with long, traffic-stopping trains. Because apparently, elegance now has boundaries.

Here's why Halle Berry dumped her Gaurav Gupta couture at Cannes | Credit: X

Halle Berry had to miss her Gaurav Gupta couture because of Cannes 2025 rules

Halle, who is on the jury panel this year, revealed that she only found out about the restrictions at the last minute, leaving her no choice but to ditch her "amazing" Gaurav Gupta look. According to her press conference chat, the dress was rejected because the train was ¡°too big¡±. RIP to what could have been a legendary Gupta moment on the French Riviera.

Gaurav Gupta | Credit: Instagram

What did Halle Berry wear at Cannes then?

The red carpet drama did not end there. She pivoted, like the true queen she is,to a more structured, halter-neck Jacquemus gown in black and white stripes. It was minimal, sophisticated, and just the right amount of dramatic from the back. Was it Gaurav-level iconic? Debatable. But Berry played by the rules and served a look nonetheless.

Here's why Halle Berry dumped her Gaurav Gupta couture at Cannes | Credit: X

The new Cannes guidelines even extend to evening screenings, where women are now required to stick to safe and standard choices: a little black dress, a cocktail dress, or a dark pantsuit. Men have been told to ditch the sneakers and show up in formal suits and bow ties. The rebellion is officially cancelled.

Indian celebs at Cannes 2025

Among other Indian attendees are Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, Sharmila Tagore, and Nitanshi Goel, hopefully none had to emergency-swap their couture too.

In a festival known for pushing boundaries in cinema, it seems like fashion has been politely asked to stay in line. Halle¡¯s wardrobe crisis was just the beginning. Cannes, we need to talk.