Halle Berry, the legendary actress and member of this year’s 2025 Cannes Film Festival jury, has been turning heads with her head-turning style picks, reasserting why she remains one of Hollywood’s most resilient and refined stars. From a show-stopping Old Hollywood-inspired dress at the Chopard Universe Gala Evening to glittering crystal pieces and sleek designer suits, Berry’s fashion trail during Cannes this year has been simply spectacular.
An Evening of Classic Hollywood Luxury at the Chopard Universe Gala
On the evening of Monday, May 19, Halle Berry walked the red carpet of the Chopard Universe Gala Evening, personifying classic Hollywood’s glamour and sophistication. The 58-year-old actress appeared in a rich burgundy satin gown that was breathtaking in its vintage chic and sophisticated detailing. The strapless gown had a bustier corset-style bodice that hugged her figure perfectly, lending herself an understated yet striking beauty.
The skirt of the gown was just as show-stopping, featuring a bold deep center slit that provided a touch of the modern on the otherwise vintage-inspired look. Another dramatic touch was an ornate architectural feature resting on her hip, providing a sculptural presence that made the outfit properly unique. The warm burgundy color of the gown looked stunning on Berry’s skin tone, and she glowed under the festival lights.
Berry’s evening look finished the Old Hollywood theme perfectly. She wore an elegant wavy bob, the kind Hollywood would have loved during the early days of cinema’s golden years. Her makeup was perfectly coiffed to accompany her look, with dark burgundy eyeshadow echoing the gown and a matte nude lipstick for a check on the intensity. Accessories were the icing on the cake — she wore matching burgundy pointed-toe shoes and capped off her fingers with ruby and diamond rings. Chandelier earrings were the ultimate hint of glam, adding the luxe feel without taking away from the look.
Previous Sightings: Crystal Shimmer and Floral Finesse
On the eve of the gala, Berry glittered at the Kering Women in Motion award ceremony and the Cannes Film Festival Presidential Dinner.She was stunning in a semi-sheer crystal column gown designed specifically by Gucci that was topped with an intricate circle design composed wholly of glittering crystals.The dress accentuated Berry’s elegant silhouette while reflecting the light with each step, producing an otherworldly effect that garnered many admiring stares.
Later in the day, she transitioned into a more formal and sleek outfit for the Phoenician Scheme red carpet evening. Berry opted for a Chanel suit made up of wide-leg trousers and a long-sleeve jacket, both bearing intricate pastel floral designs complemented by chunky black accents. The outfit highlighted her fashion versatility, combining femininity with power dressing — a suitable tribute to being a dignified jury member at the event.
The Pressure of Pacing out Cannes Fashion
Speaking in an honest interview with Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), Halle Berry disclosed the pressure and exhilaration of organizing her festival look. “It is the biggest world stage, and so there is a sense of ‘We have to get this right.”. We have to find things befitting of this moment and what this festival means to the world,” she explained.
Berry acknowledged that preparing her looks is “a bit overwhelming” but emphasized the importance of honoring Cannes’s reputation for chic, elevated, and elegant fashion. “So it’s something that we’ve taken seriously, and I’ve had a lot of fun doing it and wanting to make sure, because it is Cannes, that it stays chic and elevated and elegant. That’s what Cannes at least represents to me,” she added.
Navigating New Red Carpet Rules
Despite her successful fashion appearances, Berry’s festival journey hasn’t been without its hiccups. The festival introduced new red carpet protocols aimed at streamlining guest movement and ensuring comfort for all attendees. These rules specifically banned “voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater.” Nudity was also prohibited.
Berry, on the other hand, stole the show at the Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning premiere on May 14 in an attention-grabbing black and pink Celia Kritharioti gown with a bulbous high-low silhouette and a large train. Although this look tested the limits of the new dress code, Berry’s authoritative presence and impeccable styling guaranteed she was the one everyone looked at.
Before the festival kicked off, Berry told Variety that she had to set aside a show-stopping dress by designer Gaurav Gupta because it featured “too big of a train,” acknowledging the importance of adhering to the new rules. “I’m not going to break the rules. The nudity aspect is also likely a good rule,” she added with a playful tone, displaying respect for the festival’s directives as well as a keen sense of humor about the practicalities of fashion at festivals.
The outfit Halle Berry wore at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival has continued to build upon her established reputation as a style icon, whilst proving she is also a professional. From the vintage Hollywood glam to the modern day couture sophistication to the power suits, Berry has taught a master class in elegance and how to set yourself apart. Her honesty about the pressures associated with dressing for Cannes reminds us all, fans and fashion followers alike, that regardless of how beautiful or how accomplished a person is, we all have humanity that we grapple with as we engage with the off-the-charts glamour of the red carpet. The public has so many considerations and critiques about every detail of our very high-profile appearances, which contributes to the anxiety of its own beforehand.
As a member of the Cannes festival jury, Berry brings credibility not just to the awards but also to the fashion world, where she still inspires with her impeccable sense and bright confidence. Cannes this year has been a celebration of her lasting star power — a testament befitting an actress who has enthralled the people for decades and shines brighter than ever.
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