Including this list there are only two L’Orealista wishes left for the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, and the final one is just for a single L’Orealista. After that I have a few wishes for ‘Regulars’ and then it is full steam ahead into this years official selection followed by amfAR. I am super excited about this years edition because it seems like between the L’Orealista’s and the stars who have films screening that there are so many major red carpet moments waiting to happen. The ladies below include some of my favorite L’Orealista’s, some whom I am hoping will up their game, and some who are a little underrated.
Up first is one of my always favorites: Araya A. Hargate. The Thai actress always embodies the idea of go big or go home. From her first Cannes where she wore Zac Posen to last year where she rocked Ashi Studio, Jean Paul Gaultier, Zuhair Murad, Ralph & Russo, and Giambattista Valli Couture. While most L’Orealista’s stay for just a day or two we can typically count on Araya staying for several days delivering moment after moment on this famed red carpet. While I could have picked a major look from every designer for Araya to wear in Cannes this year I decided to keep it to three different, yet equally dramatic, looks from some of her favorite labels. The first is a white Ashi Studio Spring 2019 Couture ensemble which features a strapless sheer pleated gown with intricate beaded embroidery and a feathered coat. Now this might be a little similar in style to a white feathered cape Ralph & Russo gown that Araya wore in 2017. While the feathers can be seen as incredibly similar I think that the vibe of the looks are completely different. The Ralph & Russo was incredibly structured and this Ashi Studio is breezy and more disco like. I would have her style this look with a high half up half down hairstyle, smokey eyes, soft pink lips, a pair of white Tabitha Simmons ‘Here She Comes’ crystal chandelier sandals, and a statement Chopard Red Carpet Collection diamond choker to make sure the disco vibe of this gown lives on. From disco to romance I would love to see Araya give us a new take on princess gowns this year opting for this baby pink Giambattista Valli Spring 2019 Couture high low gown which features dramatic ruffles along the square neckline and hem, puffy short sleeves, a full ball skirt, and a dramatic train. The look is definitely a risk because Araya comes across as very petite, but at 5’7″ she definitely has the height to pull off a look like this. I would still add a pair of rose pink satin Jimmy Choo ‘Santina’ crystal embellished platform sandals to give her just a little extra height in this gown. A sleek updo, defined eyes, bold pink lips, and a Chopard ‘The Garden of Kalahari’ collection diamond choker necklace would definitely put this look amongst some of Araya’s best Cannes moments ever. For my last wish for Araya to wear on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet I decided to stray away from picking another big princess moment. I wanted to give Araya a wide variety of styles to bring to life on the Cannes red carpet this year. So I picked this green and blue water inspired Zuhair Murad Spring 2019 Couture mermaid gown which features an asymmetrical neckline, fitted bodice and hips, a crystal buckle belted waist, intricate beading, and a flared 3D floral hem and train. This is dramatically different than what we typically see Araya wearing in Cannes. She tends to go for big volume or more of a floaty silhouette. It would also be one of the bolder colors that Araya has worn as well. While it is out of her normal wheelhouse I definitely believe that she could sell it to me. I would finish this look with a pair of custom Casadei ‘Flora’ platform sandals in the brands ‘Ariel’ colored metallic suede, a sleek updo, defined eyes, bold pink lips, Chopard Red Carpet Collection peridot chandelier earrings, and a statement Chopard Red Carpet Collection black opal, emerald, diamond, turquoise, and amethyst cuff bracelet to really compliment the mermaid vibes of this gown and ensure that Araya has a killer fashion run.
Ashley Benson made her Cannes Film Festival debut in 2017 and skipped last year. I am hoping that she attends this years festival, but I want to see an elevated version of Ashley’s style. She wore a chic off the rack Erdem gown in Cannes the last time she attended and this year I decided to go with major off the runway looks for her to wear this year. Up first is this black strapless Nedo by Nedret Taciroğlu Fall 2019 Couture ball gown which features intricate texturing, embroidery, and embellishments. I tend to think that Nedo designs are tacky af, but there are some chic moments hiding in those collections and this gown is one of the good ones. It is dark, sexy, and romantic and that is what I think Ashley does best. This gown styled with a romantic updo, smokey eyes, a pair of black crystal embellished Stuart Weitzman ‘Nudistsong Stardust’ sandals, and Chopard Red Carpet Collection diamond and emerald chandelier earrings would be perfection for Ashley to deliver on the Cannes red carpet. Look number two for Ashley is a brand we don’t really see on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet: Pamella Roland. The New York based designer definitely knows how to sell drama and glamour and I definitely think that the label does fit the glamour of Cannes perfectly. I saw this deep purple Pamella Roland Fall 2019 RTW embellished off-the-shoulder tulle gown which features a bustier bodice, laser cut sequin flowers, fitted waistline, and a full a-line ball skirt and the idea of Ashley wearing this gown in Cannes immediately clicked! It is beautiful. A dark romantic moment and I think that it would be perfectly styled with a sleek updo, dark purple smokey eyes, soft rose pink lips, a pair of black Jimmy Choo ‘Dochas’ jewel embellished sandals, and a Chopard Red Carpet Collection amethyst, tanzanite, and diamond choker. The final look I’ve chosen for Ashley is the least moody. I went for strictly high glam picking this stone grey Zuhair Murad Spring 2019 Couture think strap ballgown which features a rounded neckline, intricate beaded embellishments, and a full skirt with a sweeping train. It isn’t anything boundary pushing in terms of design, none of the looks I’ve picked for Ashley are, but I think that it fits her sense of style while also pushing her sense of red carpet dressing just enough for the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. Finishing this gown with old Hollywood waves, defined eyes, red lips, a pair of silver metallic leather Jimmy Choo ‘Minny’ sandals, and a simple yet glamorous Chopard Red Carpet Collection three strand diamond necklace would definitely ensure that Ashley oozes glamour on this red carpet.
I know a lot of you have been waiting for my wishes for Deepika Padukone and here we go. The Bollywood beauty is slated to take her place on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet for the third time this year. Her first year she kinda faded into the background, but last year she definitely didn’t play second fiddle to anyone. She might have been third in my Best of Cannes list, but Deepika made second in my Best Dressed of 2018 list thanks to the major hot pink Ashi Studio Couture gown that she wore last year. That has me really excited to see what she will wear on the red carpet at this years festival. I have read that at least one of her red carpet turns this year will come courtesy of Dundas. So I went to the brands runways and lookbooks searching for the perfect look for Deepika to wear this year, but wasn’t thrilled with anything as an option for a premiere. So I sent a message to Evita saying I needed a custom Dundas gown for Deepika to wear this year. I wanted a strapless black velvet mermaid gown with a dramatic train and intricate Indian crystal beaded embroidery and that is exactly what she delivered for me. The embellishments came off a Dundas Fall 2018 RTW velvet cape. I could actually see Deepika wearing the cape over the gown if she wanted, but honestly with the lighter and breezier air of the Cannes Film Festival I think that the strapless velvet gown is heavy enough. I would finish this look with a loose romantic updo, smokey eyes, burgundy glossy lips, a pair of black and gold Jimmy Choo ‘Lilah’ strappy platform sandals, and a selection of Chopard Red Carpet Collection jewels including a rubellitte, black pearl, and diamond necklace and a ruby and diamond lattice cuff bracelet. The second look pays homage to Deepika’s Indian roots as it is a modern take on traditional Indian dressing from Indian designer Gaurav Gupta. I saw this silver two piece gown which features an intricately beaded and pleated bodice and a dramatic ruffled a-line skirt and was left breathless. It is beautiful and dramatic and I definitely think that it would be an absolutely major look for Deepika to wear in Cannes this year. I would also keep this look as a love letter to India selecting jewels from Mumbai based handmade jewelry label Jaipur Jewels including a pair of diamond rose shaped stud earrings and a dazzling diamond wreath necklace to add sparkle to this ensemble. A sleek high bun, silvery smokey eyes, bold red lips, the scarf shawl, and a pair of silver Rene Caovilla ‘Cleo’ crystal embellished coil sandals would all make this an absolutely major moment. The final look I’ve chosen for Deepika is definitely the most dramatic. I saw this red Michael Cinco Fall 2018 Couture off the shoulder feathered ball gown and fell in love with it immediately. I did for a quick second question if it wasn’t too similar to last years Ashi Studio gown, but ultimately decided that since this is a full length gown and the fact that it is red not pink that the looks are different enough for Deepika to wear this Michael Cinco creation on the red carpet at the Palais de Festivals this year. This is definitely a major fashion moment, but Deepika has proven that she has the chops to really push through a lot of drama and wear a gown on the red carpet and not let it wear her. I would finish this gown with a sleek updo, defined eyes, red lips, a pair of red Giuseppe Zanotti ankle wrap peep toe platform sandals, Chopard Red Carpet Collection citrine and ruby drop earrings, and a statement Chopard Red Carpet Collection ruby, rubellitte, and citrine cuff watch bracelet to finish another major moment for Deepika to deliver on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
Hailey Baldwin-Beiber has been a friend of L’Oreal for about two years now, but I don’t think she is actually considered a L’Orealista. That being said she has been a regular in Cannes so I am taking this opportunity to pick some looks I would love to see the newly married model bring to life on the famed French red carpet. In years past Hailey has worn labels like Twin-Set, Ralph & Russo, Elie Saab, and Roberto Cavalli Couture on the red carpets of the festival. I picked three looks from labels that Hailey brings to the red carpet and three looks I believe that she would definitely be drawn to. The first is a custom Alexandre Vauthier burgundy red velvet sleeveless draped gown which features a plunging halter neckline, thin belted waist with a crystal buckle, an open low back, and a long train which was inspired by the fall iteration of a draped long sleeve column gown that has become a Vauthier classic. I think that this sleeveless gown is perfect for Hailey to bring to life on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. It is a little bit of a departure from her normally overtly sexy looks, but Cannes is definitely a place to step out of ones comfort zone and push boundaries, and while this look isn’t considered boundary pushing by a long shot I think it is perfect for Hailey and with old Hollywood waves worn over shoulders, defined eyes, matching burgundy red lips, a pair of dark red Christian Louboutin ‘Jonatina’ PVC trimmed mirrored leather sandals, and a selection of de Grisogono jewels including a pair of ruby and black diamond pendant drop earrings and a statement ruby, black and white diamond cocktail ring I know she would deliver it in such a glamorous manner. From one glamorous gown to another. I was looking for super chic gowns for Hailey to wear in Cannes and I saw this ivory Elie Saab Spring 2019 Couture column draped gown which features an asymmetrical feathered strapless neckline, intricate pink floral embroidery, a thigh high split, and a pleated chiffon train and definitely think that it would make a glamorous, yet sexy, statement for her to wear on this years Cannes Film Festival red carpet. Finishing the look with a sleek “I Dream of Jeannie” high ponytail, defined eyes, soft pink lips, a pair of gold Tom Ford crystal chain embellished sandals, and rose gold set de Grisogono ‘India’ pink opal and diamond drop earrings would add a modern twist to this classically glamorous gown. The final look I’ve picked for Hailey is more in tune with her typical style. She loves a very sexy fashion moment on the red carpet and I definitely can see her being drawn to this beautiful cotton candy pink Zuhair Murad Spring 2019 Couture one shoulder fully crystal beaded gown which features a slashed detail on the bodice, a belted waist, and a thigh high split. This sexy and glamorous gown is definitely right in Hailey’s wheelhouse and I think with a romantic updo, defined eyes, bright pink lips, a pair of soft pink Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Janell’ rhinestone ankle cuff sandals, and pink rubellitte and diamond de Grisogono tassel earrings I think that Hailey would deliver some absolutely glamorous moments on the Cannes red carpets.
Lara Stone is one of the supermodel L’Orealista’s whom I really want to love, but often I feel like she falls flat. On that note I will say that Lara wore my favorite looks of hers ever in Cannes two years ago when she wore a dramatic black Balmain feathered mermaid gown. Shes doesn’t often pick really dramatic gowns for Cannes, but I definitely think that she should. So the first look I’ve picked is a red draped satin Balenciaga Spring 2019 RTW asymmetrical gown which features long ruched sleeves, an origami folded bodice, and an asymmetrical midi length column skirt draped into a sweeping train to help push Lara out of her boundaries. I decided to use the photo of this gown on the Bergdorf Goodman website instead of the runway photo because I think it gives a better demonstration of what the gown would look like on a red carpet. I had actually saved this look in my cocktail folder of runway images because the runway images definitely gave this look more of a cocktail vibe, when in fact its this absolutely amazing gown. A sleek low bun, thick defined eyes, nude lips, a pair of red Gianvito Rossi ‘G-String’ sandals, and Cartier diamond and ruby cluster earrings all would definitely ensure that Lara kicks off her time in Cannes in high style. The next look I have for Lara to wear in Cannes this year is a custom white sequined strapless Balmain column gown which features a dramatic train and a silver beaded belted waist. The belt came direct from the Balmain Spring 2019 Couture collection and the sleek and glamorous design of the gown would definitely make this a sleek and glamorous modern moment on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet especially if paired with sleek center parted hair, defined eyes, red lips, a pair of white Gianvito Rossi PVC strap ‘Portofino’ sandals, and a selection of Cartier diamonds including wreath earrings and an art deco cuff bracelet. The final look I’ve picked for Lara is a look I am shocked didn’t get worn at some point during the last year with this black Givenchy Spring 2018 Couture long sleeve gown which features a plunging neckline and pleated ikat print panels on the column skirt. I love this gown and I definitely think that Lara could easily sell this gown to me, especially on a Cannes red carpet. Add a sleek low bun, defined eyes, red lips, a custom black satin Givenchy box clutch, a pair of black Givenchy strappy leather sandals, a pair of Cartier diamond and sapphire small drop earrings, and a dazzling Cartier diamond collar necklace and I know that Lara would definitely shut down the Cannes red carpet in this gown.
Finishing out this list is one of my favorite red carpet models: Soo Joo Park. The South Korean model knows how to deliver edge, glamour, drama, and femininity on the red carpet. While I personally love her and her style I think that she is incredibly underrated. I want her to deliver some major moments on this years Cannes Film Festival red carpet starting with this black Chanel Spring 2019 Couture short cocktail ensemble. Soo Joo was one of Karl Lagerfeld’s many muses and I would be shocked if she doesn’t wear one of his designs during Cannes this year and I definitely think that while Cannes usually calls for a gown that this cocktail moment paired with a sleek center parted low bun, defined eyes, red lips, a pair of black Roger Vivier ‘Maharaja’ feather and crystal embellished satin sandals, and statement Chopard Red Carpet Collection diamond and emerald fringe earrings. Soo Joo loves herself a good Iris Van Herpen design on the red carpet and I would love to see her bring the avant garde couturier to the Cannes Film Festival red carpet this year with this nude one shoulder asymmetrically draped layered from the designers Spring 2019 Couture collection which features a thigh high split. The gown would match Soo Joo’s skin tone perfectly and make it like she is wearing a edgy second skin. I would let that be the total vibe for the look styling this gown with a sleek high pony tail, defined eyes, nude lips, nude Aquazzura ‘Magic’ suede and PVC lace up sandals. The only pop of color I would add to this look would be courtesy of a pair of Chopard Red Carpet Collection black opal and multicolored precious stone drop earrings. The final look I’ve picked for Soo Joo to wear is from another of the brands whom she is quite close to with this nude and purple Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2019 Couture long sleeve column gown which features intricate crystal embellishments. This is actually Gaultier reissuing a style he made famous in his Fall 1995 RTW collection and have recently made a return thanks to a certain Kardashian. Now we very well could see this gown snatched up for the Met Gala tonight, but I would love to see it saved for Soo Joo to wear in Cannes while it perfectly fits this year ‘Camp’ Met Gala theme it would be a perfectly unexpected (yet still appropriate) moment for her to deliver on the red carpet at the Palais de Festivals. Pair this gown with a sleek updo, smokey eyes, nude lips, a pair of silver Jimmy Choo ‘Shiloh’ crystal embellished sandals, and Chopard diamond and amethyst earrings and Soo Joo would shut down the 2019 Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
The 2019 Cannes Film Festival opens Monday May 13, 2019 and runs through Saturday May 25, 2019.