Especially in the last two years the Cannes Film Festival has come under fire for not giving its fair shake to female directors. From all the articles I’ve read it seemed like Cannes 2020 was going to be a lot more equitable to female directors than ever before. One film I saw talked about was Sofia Coppola’s On The Rocks a New York-set father-daughter dramedy that reunites her with longtime muse Bill Murray. Indiewire said the film seemed more committed to Venice than Cannes and Awards Daily said Coppola would “most likely be welcomed back” thanks to this film. Sofia is no stranger to Cannes three of her four feature films since Lost in Translation debuted in Cannes while the other debuted in Venice like Lost In Translation. So really it was a coin flip to see if the film would have made the cut for Cannes. 
When it comes to style Sofia Coppola isn’t one I would usually see her topping any Best of Cannes lists. She doesn’t embody the Cannes motto of “go big or go home” in the least bit. Simple and elegant is the code that Sofia sticks to. The two looks I wanted to see her wearing in Cannes to promote On The Rocks easily fit into that box. For the photocall I went to Sofia’s good friend Marc Jacobs and this winter white boxy trompe l’oiel wool dress which features drop-waist silhouette, round neck, princess sleeves, bow back, flared skirt, and a mini hemline from his Fall 2020 RTW collection. The simple dress is chic and I definitely see it as something 100% within her wheelhouse. It would be perfectly put together in Sofia’s way with a loose wavy center parted bob, casual defined eyes, and soft matte blush pink lips. The finishing touch I would add to this look that would definitely just elevate Sofia’s style via a pair of mustard yellow satin Roger Vivier ‘Broche’ chunky low heel embellished buckle satin pointed toe slingbacks. For the premiere I went again for something just a little more surprising for Sofia, a floor length gown. Usually Sofia picks a knee or tea length gown even for the most formal of red carpets, but when I saw this glamorous navy silk satin Chanel Fall 2019 Couture halter gown which features a black patent belted waist I knew that it would have been a major moment for her to wear for a Cannes Film Festival premiere. This gown is minimalist glamour defined which means the styling has to be perfect. So I would finish this look with a sleek side parted low bun, defined eyes, red lips, a navy satin Roger Vivier floral crystal embellished buckle clutch, a pair of navy and black satin Roger Vivier ‘Viv Bling’ strappy platform sandals, and simple white diamond Chopard Red Carpet Collection teardrop earrings. 
Jenny Slate has never been to Cannes before and honestly I don’t know what it would have brought. Her stylist Monty Jackson isn’t one I think of being able to really handle Cannes in the major way. I would hope he would be able to deliver, but I’m not sure he would. When it comes to her red carpet style her past really didn’t inform the future much for what I wanted to see her wearing for her Cannes debut. So as I was looking I found two super chic Marchesa moments I think would definitely put Jenny on top Cannes worthy form. For the On The Rocks photocall I wanted to see Jenny wearing this Marchesa Pre-Fall 2020 ensemble which features a watercolor floral print cotton corset top with a square neckline, mutton sleeves, and ruffled trim and a pair of black cotton high-rise, straight-leg, dual slit pocket pants. The look is flirty and sophisticated. The perfect balance of bohemian and structure. I think that Jenny would definitely rock this look for the photocall styled with a bouncy teased curls, defined eyes, soft pink lips, black Sophia Webster ‘Dina’ multicolored gem embellished PVC strap mules, and a pair of Atelier Swarovski vintage rose pink, white, and sunshine yellow crystal ‘Botanical Jewels by Penelope Cruz’ teardrop earrings. For the premiere I looked at this dusty dark teal blue and nude Marchesa Fall 2020 RTW ruffled tulle ballgown which features a plunging v-neckline, a sleeveless a-line silhouette, plunging open back, a tiered ruffled skirt, and crystal embellishment throughout. The gown is just a classic Marchesa moment and I think that would have been a perfect option for Jenny to wear for her first trip up those famous steps of the Palais de Festivals. To complete this look I would style it with a sleek chignon updo, smokey eyes, dark rose pink lips, a pair of black Sophia Webster ‘Giovanna’ glittered leather slingback sandals, and a statement white diamond asymmetrical Butani draped 5 row necklace. It would ensure that Jenny delivered nothing but glamour from head to toe for her Cannes debut. 
Rashida Jones also stars in On The Rocks and would have been making her Cannes Film Festival debut this year. I usually either love or loathe what Rashida is wearing on the red carpet. I was hoping to see Rashida bring her a-game to Cannes. For the photocall I turned to The Vampire’s Wife, but with a different look than we are used to seeing from the brand thanks to this pink rose liberty print ‘The Kaftan’ cotton dress which features a high pussy-bow neckline, statement balloon sleeves, a self-tie belted waist, and a pleated midi skirt. This looks speaks to the more bohemian side of Rashida’s style and would have been perfect for the Cannes photocall platform overlooking the French Riviera. Style it with a wavy bob, defined eyes, nude lips, a pair of ballet pink Jimmy Choo ‘LOVE’ asymmetrical crystal embellished pointed toe suede pumps, and Jennifer Meyer small pink sapphire embellished 18k yellow gold hoop earrings to make a great casual moment for Rashida. For the premiere I went for something that speaks more to the sleek and glamorous side of Rashida’s style with this black long sleeve Valentino Spring 2020 Couture fitted gown which features silver crystal circles down the sides of the arms and and body. Now those circles expose the skin underneath on the runway, but that isn’t something that Rashida would be down for. So I would have the ones down the sides of the body lined. I don’t think that would make the gown loose any of it’s runway appeal and would make it perfect for Rashida. Of course I would also make sure that this gown hits the floor perfectly for Rashida as well. To put the perfect finishing touches on this look I would style this gown with a sleek bob, defined eyes, bold red lips, a black ostrich feather embellished Jimmy Choo ‘Celeste’ clutch, a pair of black suede Jimmy Choo ‘Teja’ crystal embellished pointed toe d’Orsay pumps, and Chopard Red Carpet collection emerald circle drop earrings surrounded in white diamonds. 
At 74 Helen Mirren is still showing girls more than half her age how fashion is done on the red carpet. I always look forward to seeing what she will bring to the Cannes Film Festival red carpet as an ambassador for L’Oreal Paris, so I am super disappointed that we have been deprived of a super glam moment from her this year due to the Cannes Corona Cancellation. Earlier this year as I was looking at the Spring 2020 Couture collections I saw this champagne gold Rami Kadi column gown which features a square neckline, corseted bodice, long caped sleeves, and embroidery in gold, silver, and iridescent sequins and immediately earmarked it as a perfect gown for Helen to wear in Cannes. So I couldn’t let me “What Could Have Been” series go by without featuring this paring. This gown is the perfect meshing of age appropriateness, sex appeal, glamour, and drama all rolled into one fabulous package. I know Helen would have delivered this gown with regal ease styling it with a sleek bob, defined eyes, punchy pink lips, a pewter silver crystal embellished Jimmy Choo ‘Cloud’ clutch, ombre silver glitter Jimmy Choo ‘LOVE’ pointed toe pumps, and a selection of eco glam Chopard Green Carpet Collection sustainably sourced diamond jewels including a pair of simple drop earrings and a simple collar necklace. 
Spanish supermodel Nieves Alvarez has been a fixture on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet for a while. Luxury jewelry company Bulgari is typically the one who sends her to walk the famed red carpet at the Palais. When it comes to glamour Nieves typically takes more of a dramatic approach when it comes to the red carpet. So as I was looking for looks for Nieves to wear in Cannes this year I went for DRAMA. In Cannes we usually see Nieves wearing Elie Saab, Stephane Rolland, or Alberta Ferretti. All labels which we are used to seeing Nieves wearing throughout the year. Labels she is a muse for. Instead of turning to one of those labels for this wish I went to Giambattista Valli Couture because this blush pink satin and tulle asymmetric ruffled gown from the brands Spring 2020 Couture collection just spoke to me. There aren’t many with the height and presence to pull this look off and Nieves has it. She knows how to push through more dramatic and complicated confections with regal elegance and that is what I would picture this moment becoming. Style it with a sleek updo, smokey eyes, bright pink lips, a rose pink satin Roger Vivier ‘Brochamour Envelope’ white and red crystal embellished crystal buckle clutch, a pair of rose gold glitter Christian Louboutin ‘Holly’ strappy cage sandals, and of course a selection of vintage Bulgari jewels including white diamond and ruby half wreath floral bouquet cluster earrings and a three row ruby and white diamond bracelet and I know that Nieves would have given us a major Best Dressed of the Year worthy moment.
2020 Cannes Film Festival What Could Have Been Wish List: “On The Rocks”
If I Was A Stylist 
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