Fashion Through The Years At The World's Glitziest Film Fest

Fashion Through The Years At The World's Glitziest Film Fest

The Cannes Film Festival kicks off in just a couple of days, bringing together the world's biggest movie stars in one of sexiest settings under the sun. Before the South of France gets its latest dose of glamour, I decided to take a look back at some of the festival's best fashion through the years. Check it out, after the jump.

In 1953, an unknown 18-year-old named Brigitte Bardot followed her husband, journalist Roger Vadim, to the Cannes Film Festival where he was interviewing celebrities for The Paris Match. She became instantly famous when she appeared on the beach wearing only a bikini--rather taboo at the time--and has since been credited with making the two piece so popular. That same week, she frolicked on the beach in this fabulous polka-dot pouf dress.

A few years later, Sophia Loren helped define the modern (1958) idea of a movie star with plenty of glamour to spare. So what if it's May in a beach town? A lady needs her fur!

Long before Kate Moss or Agyness Deyn became the model/rock star muses of the moment, there was glam-rock goddess Anita Pallenberg. She and then-boyfriend, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, hit Cannes in 1967 to spread their message of bohemian fabulousness via big jewelry and furry vests.

The 70s saw plenty of major names in Cannes, including the Coppola family, Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Redford, and--believe it!--Mr. Universe, Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I don't think any couple better captures the disco era's glitter quite like Jack Nicholson in a velvet tux and Anjelica Huston in a white off-the-shoulder lace dress. Isn't she beautiful?

In May 1987, Princess Diana descended on the French Riviera for the festival's 40th anniversary celebration. Here she is with Sir Alec Guinness in a chiffon goddess gown--I remember seeing this photo when I was very young and thinking she was the most glamorous woman I'd ever seen.

In light of both of their major success, it's easy to forget that Kate Moss and Johnny Depp were once a hot item. In 1998, the supermodel (at the height of her first career ascension) accompanied her boyfriend to the festival, where Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was entered in the competition.