The Cannes Film Festival 2025 was more than just a celebration of movies—it became a stage for sustainable fashion. This year, many celebrities used the red carpet to send a strong message about protecting the planet. The glamour of Cannes was matched by a real commitment to eco-friendly innovation, traditional skills, and meaningful cultural touches. The festival showed that luxury can be responsible.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a regular at Cannes, impressed everyone with her sustainable fashion choices. For her 22nd appearance, she wore a handwoven Kadwa ivory Banarasi saree by Manish Malhotra. This saree was made using the detailed Kadwa brocade technique from Varanasi, with real silver zari embroidery and hand-crafted motifs.

Her look celebrated Indian heritage and the value of slow fashion. It also highlighted the importance of supporting artisans and traditional weaving. She finished her look with a dramatic streak of sindoor in her hair, giving it deep cultural meaning. In another appearance, Aishwarya wore a Gaurav Gupta gown with a Banarasi brocade cape. The cape was inscribed with a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, symbolising selfless action and blending ancient wisdom with modern style. Her jewellery, including a bold ruby ring and a necklace with over 500 carats of Mozambique rubies and uncut diamonds, added a royal touch. But the main focus stayed on Indian craft and sustainability.

Aarushi Nishank made her Cannes debut with a strong message about sustainability. She wore a dress made using zero waste cutting technology, which reduces fabric waste and avoids harmful chemicals. The outfit used natural materials like mud, silk, and plant-based dyes, making it both stylish and eco-friendly.

Aarushi’s look was based on the idea of circular fashion, where old or unused clothes are reused instead of thrown away. She used her red carpet moment to promote eco-friendly practices in fashion and was praised for combining glamour with green values.

Naomi Campbell brought both fashion history and sustainability to Cannes 2025. For the premiere of Fuori, she wore a dramatic Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda gown. The dress had a handmade corset with gold filigree, baroque hardware, and black crystals, paired with a big tulle skirt. This gown celebrated the artistry and lasting value of haute couture, where each piece is made to last for generations.

In another standout moment, Naomi wore the same Chanel haute couture dress she modelled 27 years ago. She showed that true style is timeless and that wearing vintage pieces is both glamorous and good for the environment. Her looks were finished with radiant makeup and a teased afro, proving that sustainable fashion can be both dramatic and elegant.

Cate Blanchett, known for her support of sustainable fashion, wore a classic black Louis Vuitton gown with a dramatic cape and a train made from tulle and lace. Her simple yet powerful look was accessorised with gold earrings and natural makeup. Cate often re-wears or reimagines pieces for different events. Her presence at Cannes reminded everyone that true glamour comes from confidence, craftsmanship, and caring for the environment.

A special highlight at Cannes 2025 was the arrival of eight young designers from the Junk Kouture movement. They turned waste into wearable art. These students created red carpet outfits from discarded items like crisp packets, aluminium coffee pods, milk bottle caps, and sea glass.

Designs such as ‘Marée Noire’, made from sea glass and plastic bottles, and ‘End of an Era’, featuring over 1,500 plastic milk bottle caps, captured everyone’s imagination. Their work showed the creative potential of upcycling and circular fashion. They sent a strong message about rethinking waste and embracing sustainable solutions in the fashion industry.

Cannes 2025 itself made big changes to reduce its environmental impact. The festival introduced a Sustainability Policy, got rid of single-use plastics, provided water fountains, used a 100% electric vehicle fleet, and redesigned the red carpet to save 1,400 kg of material. A voluntary carbon contribution programme supported projects like seagrass restoration and biodiversity protection.

These steps, along with the celebrities’ sustainable fashion choices, made Cannes a true leader in environmental responsibility.

This year’s Cannes Film Festival proved that glamour and sustainability can go together. With celebrities and young designers leading the way, the red carpet became a platform for positive change, inspiring millions to embrace eco-friendly fashion and a greener future.