A plethora of sumptuous gowns, exquisite tuxedos, opulence and glamour have been popping up on every feed for the last week because it’s the 76th Cannes Film Festival in France. Since May 16 we have seen astonishingly dressed movie stars, celebrities and influencers on the Red Carpet. If you need a fresh dose of inspiration with a luxury layer in between glamour and elegance, keep following the hashtags for the Cannes Film Festival #cannes etc.
Let’s take a look at one of the most memorably dressed people from previous and current Cannes Film Festivals, Leonie Hanne. The German fashion influencer with 4.5 million followers on Instagram and 1.7m on TikTok is a frequent guest at such events. Red carpet looks by Leonie Hanne have impressed as much as Kim Kardashian’s at the Met Galas.
At this 76th Cannes Film Festival Leonie’s first look was head-to-toe Valentino. A faded pink sequin strapless long dress with a high slit and small bows on it epitomised the Barbiecore trend in evening wear. Leonie Hanne’s skill of perfectly selecting evening dresses in line with fashion trends is second to none.
Her next appearance was full of crystals and feathers and was designed by Georges Hobeika. The design of the dress transmitted an aqua motif: a mermaid silhouette dress with a long train, a slit in the front and a bustier in shell shapes encrusted with azure blue crystals of all hues on the entire dress. The magnificent craftsmanship of Hobeika is amazingly showcased on this dress: a meticulous silhouette, colour gradient in the crystals and the feathers and a bohemian glam style.
Georges Hobeika is a Lebanese fashion designer known for his exquisite evening-wear, bridal and ready-to-wear collections. Hobeika’s fame stems from his exceptional talent for creating stunning couture pieces that exude luxury, sophistication, and timeless beauty.
At the 75th Cannes Film Festival in 2022, Leonie appeared in a white pearl-encrusted tulle dress by Valdrin Sahiti, a beaded jumpsuit with a feather wrap by Georges Hobeika and a chiffon lavender dress by Valentino.
Her most impactful outfit of 2022 was the Valdrin Sahiti dress. The design was literally jaw-dropping; a mermaid silhouette with a long train, paired with intricate gloves and sculptured pearl elements on the shoulders. I suppose the outfit contained not less than hundreds of pearls of different sizes, emblazoning the fabric and accentuating the curves of her body perfectly. Paired with long loose-sleeved gloves encrusted with pearls, the ensemble was complete.
Valdrin Sahiti Official is a famous fashion house in the Balkans known for its opulent and extravagant designs. Sahiti specialises in evening and wedding gowns in voluminous and dramatic silhouettes, exaggerated ruffles, cascading layers, bold colours and exquisite craftsmanship.
Her other showcase piece of the year was a chiffon floor-length lavender dress by Valentino; a loose-fit silhouette with a cape of billowing translucent fabric behind. The dress was twisted at the cleavage but loose at the bottom, which let the fabric fly out in the breeze and her moves created an exquisite look. Valentino’s evening gowns are always sensational.
The next look was a beaded white jumpsuit by Georges Hobeika with a long feather wrap trailing behind like a royal robe. That costume was the epitome of the bohemian style: low-cut cleavage, crystal and beads on the whole jumpsuit which glamorously glistened from camera flashes and the sunlight.
At the 74th Cannes Film Festival in 2021, Leonie blew us away with her first look. I suppose it was the most viral of Leonie’s gowns: the hefty fluted tulle layered backless pistachio dress by Nicole + Felicia was absolutely breathtaking. That dress was so voluminous but also refined and lavish: it had four massive layers to the skirt with feather elements and a completely open back. Nicole + Felicia Couture is a young brand under the helm of twin sisters Nicole and Felicia Chang in Taipei, Taiwan. The brand was founded in 2015 and specialises in modern luxury bridal and evening gowns known for clean lines, precise cuts and a focus on the form and structure of the garment.
On the second day she appeared in an exquisite pleated one-shoulder floor length metallic dress by Tony Ward. A voluminous A-line silhouette with silver braiding on the neckline perfectly underscored the sleek pearl colour of the dress. The dress also flew due to its loose fitting and airy fabric. Tony Ward is a Lebanese Couture Designer creating luxurious and glamorous haute couture pieces. Ward is known for his exceptional embroidery work, dramatic elements, voluminous, cascading ruffles and embellishments which often reflect his Middle Eastern heritage, featuring intricate patterns and motifs.
Leonie Hanne is one of the few who knows how to impress and showcase her impeccable taste and ability to make a fashion statement. From the Valentino and Georges Hobeika gowns in 2023 to the Valdrin Sahiti, Georges Hobeika, Nicole + Felicia Couture and Tony Ward dresses in 2021 and 2022, each ensemble exudes glamour, elegance, and a touch of uniqueness. It is always such a pleasure to observe those who love fashion and who know how to showcase the latest styles so naturally.
