Elle Fanning joined Simone Ashley, Halle Berry and Cate Blanchett leading the star-studded arrivals at the closing ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday evening. 

The American actress, 24, was the epitome of elegance as she took to the red carpet in a pale blue ruffled gown which boasted a Bardot neckline and princess skirt. 

Elle's gorgeous satin dress was cinched at her waist with a black ribbon belt and added extra sparkle with a dazzling diamond necklace and matching bracelet. 

Meanwhile Bridgerton star Simone, 30, slipped into chic red figure-hugging number for the occasion which boasted quirky pockets and strapless neckline. 

The British actress accessorised with silver jewellery and glamorous make-up as she posed up a storm on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony.   

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Also looking sensational was Oscar winner Halle, 58, who stunned in a semi-sheer lace dress which teased a glimpse of her inch of her jaw-dropping and age defying physique beneath. 

The outfit boasted a high neckline, dramatic shoulder pads while also being cinched at her tiny waist, opting for flawless make-up she styled her caramel tresses in loose waves.

Elsewhere fellow acting icon Cate, 56, oozed sophistication in a backless black fishtail gown complete with eye-catching ruffled cape.

Slipping her feet into perfectly matching heels, she forwent a necklace letting the look speak for itself and opted instead for a statement diamond earrings. 

The 2025 ceremony comes to a close following the launch of its new modesty rules, designed to keep the focus on the films themselves. 

According to organisers, the austere move is an attempt to stifle the celebrity trend for 'naked dresses' - namely provocative outfits that reveal considerably more than they conceal - on the red carpet.

'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival,' states a Cannes festival document.

'The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.'

The surprise new policy features in a recent festival-goers charter - released with a series of outlines regarding expected public behaviour.

Guests are expected to converge on the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière for some of the highest profile film screenings across a packed two-week schedule in Cannes.

It's understood that the iconic venue now adopts a more conservative dress code, with suits, dinner jackets and floor-length evening gowns generally favoured over headline grabbing ensembles.

Classic little black dresses, cocktail dresses, pant-suits, dressy tops and elegant sandals, 'with or without a heel', will also be permitted.

While the decision to implement a more stringent policy will be a first, it is not known if French TV broadcasters, wary of airing nudity, played a role in its enforcement.

Major red carpet events, including the Cannes Film Festival, are aired in France by France Télévisions

Recently attracting more models and influencers than actors and filmmakers, the annual ceremony has seen an increase in risque red carpet fashion statements.

In 2021, American supermodel Bella Hadid bared her cleavage in a plunging black gown while attending a screening of Tre Piani (Three Floors).

She pulled a similar stunt three years later, with guests at the 2024 gala left speechless after she attended the premiere of Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice completely braless beneath a sheer brown evening dress.

This year's Cannes Film Festival also took place in the wake of President Trump´s vow to enact tariffs on international films. 

Trump sent shock waves through Hollywood and the international film community when he announced on May 4 that all movies 'produced in Foreign Lands' will face 100 percent tariffs. 

The White House has said no final decisions have been made. Options being explored include federal incentives for U.S.-based productions, rather than tariffs. But the announcement was a reminder of how international tensions can destabilise even the oldest cultural institutions.

The Cannes Film Festival originally emerged in the World War II years, when the rise of fascism in Italy led to the founding of an alternative to the then-government controlled Venice Film Festival. 

In the time since, Cannes´ resolute commitment to cinema has made it a beacon to filmmakers. Countless directors have come to make their name.

This year is no different, though some of the first-time filmmakers at Cannes are already particularly well-known. 

Kristen Stewart (The Chronology of Water), Scarlett Johansson (Eleanor the Great) and Harris Dickinson (Urchin) have all unveiled their feature directorial debuts in Cannes´ Un Certain Regard sidebar section.

Many Cannes veterans have returned, including Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning), Robert De Niro - who received an honorary Palme d´Or 49 years after Taxi Driver premiered in Cannes - and Quentin Tarantino, who paid tribute to low-budget Western director George Sherman.

Over recent years the star-studded extravaganza has arguably won more attention for the outfits worn by its celebrity guests than the roster of feature films being screened on the Croisette. 

But new nudity rules, devised for 'the sake of decency,' have been implemented at this year's festival.  

According to organisers, the austere move is an attempt to stifle the celebrity trend for 'naked dresses' - namely provocative outfits that reveal considerably more than they conceal - on the red carpet.

'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival,' states a Cannes festival document.

'The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.'