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Celebs & Fashion Highlights [PHOtOS]

4 min read

The Cannes Film Festival and the charm of the tiny French coastal city that has hosted it since 1949 offer all things to all people. For two weeks out the year, Hollywood insiders, tourists and locals convene to celebrate the art of film. They shop, drink, party and flock to the golden sand beaches at La Croisette promenade, one of the town’s famous hotspots, and take refuge in its iconic Victorian-era Carlton Cannes Hotel—mixing work and pleasure in the town that made resort vacationing the perfect escape from the everyday.

The festival and its famous 24-step red carpet brings all the glitz and glam Hollywood has to offer—and fashion-worthy moments too. For decades, WWD has had its “Eye” page candidly on Cannes. Catching glimpses of the filmmakers, locals and new and known celebrities: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Isabelle Rupert, Cary Grant, Dustin Hoffman, Fred Astaire and actress Edy Williams, whose topless arrivals barely raised an eyebrow in the 1970s.

Today, things are different, but the event that set the tone for fashionable, globetrotters and summer forays remains camera-ready.

Here is a candid look back at the Cannes Film Festival from WWD and the Fairchild Archives.

  • Louis Malle’s Cannes Film Festival Premiere Party and Press Event for ‘Le Souffle Au Coeur’.

    French actress Jeanne Moreau, author Susan Sontag, artist Yoko Ono, musician John Lennon and guest arrive at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival.French actress Jeanne Moreau, author Susan Sontag, artist Yoko Ono, musician John Lennon and guest arrive at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival.
    Image Credit: Reginald Gray

    French actress Jeanne Moreau, author Susan Sontag, artist Yoko Ono, musician John Lennon and guest arrive at Louis Malle’s party and press event for ‘Le Souffle Au Coeur’ during the 1971 Cannes Film Festival.

  • 1973: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Farichild Archive

    Rachel Roberts (L) Helen Mirren (C) and Alan Price attend the 1973 Cannes Film Festival for the film “O lucky man!” in Cannes, France. 

  • Louis Malle’s Cannes Film Festival Premiere Party and Press Event for ‘Le Souffle Au Coeur’

    Actors Fabien Ferreux, Benoit Ferreux and guest arrive at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival. (Photo by Reginald Gray/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)Actors Fabien Ferreux, Benoit Ferreux and guest arrive at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival. (Photo by Reginald Gray/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
    Image Credit: Reginald Gray

    Actors Fabien Ferreux, Benoit Ferreux and guest arrive at a party for director Louis Malle’s 1971 Cannes Film Festival premiere party and press event for ‘Le Souffle Au Coeur in Cannes, France. 

  • 1973: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    A billboard for Roger Moore as James Bond 007 in the film “Live and Let Die” on the entrance to the Carlton Cannes Hotel during the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. 

  • 1973: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    A woman in a lacy daytime shawl outside a restaurant in Cannes, France during the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.

  • 1973: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    Ingrid Bergman (C) and guests attend an event at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.

  • 1977: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Michel Maurou

    Andre Olivier (L) and Pierre Cardin attend the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977. 

  • 1973: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    Vivienne Ventura and John Bentley attend an event during the 1973 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.

  • 1976: Cannes Film Festival

    Guests visit the beach during the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.Guests visit the beach during the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.
    Image Credit: Guy Marineau

    Beach views during the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.

  • 1973: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    Manouche, doyenne of the French underground attends the 1973 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.

  • 1973: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    Clarence Williams III (R) from Mod Squad series and guest at a cafe in Canne, France during the 30th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in May, 1973.

  • 1975: Cannes Film Festival

    Valerie Perrine (C) attends the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1975.Valerie Perrine (C) attends the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1975.
    Image Credit: Michel Maurou

    Valerie Perrine (C) attends the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1975.

  • 1975: Cannes Film Festival

    Dustin Hoffman attends the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1975. (Photo by Michel Maurou/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)Dustin Hoffman attends the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1975. (Photo by Michel Maurou/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
    Image Credit: Michel Maurou

    Dustin Hoffman attends the 28th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1975. 

  • 1976 Cannes Film Festival

    An eldery couple walking down a sidewalk in Cannes, France and looking at a billboard advertisement for "All the President's Men" starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, a parking lot, hotel, and palm trees visible in the background (Photo by Guy Marineau/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)An eldery couple walking down a sidewalk in Cannes, France and looking at a billboard advertisement for "All the President's Men" starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, a parking lot, hotel, and palm trees visible in the background (Photo by Guy Marineau/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
    Image Credit: Guy Marineau

    A billboard advertisement for “All the President’s Men” starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman photographed during the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Canne, France.

  • 1976 Cannes Film Festival

    Marcello Mastroianni (2nd from L) and Claudia Cardinale (C) attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.Marcello Mastroianni (2nd from L) and Claudia Cardinale (C) attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.
    Image Credit: Guy Marineau

    Marcello Mastroianni (2nd from L) and Claudia Cardinale (C) attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.

  • 1976 Cannes Film Festival

    Cary Grant (C) attends the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976. (Photo by Guy Marineau/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)Cary Grant (C) attends the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976. (Photo by Guy Marineau/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
    Image Credit: Guy Marineau

    Cary Grant (C) at the Carlton Cannes hotel during the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.

  • 1976 Cannes Film Festival

    Charlotte Rampling (L) attends the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.Charlotte Rampling (L) attends the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.
    Image Credit: Guy Marineau

    Charlotte Rampling (L) and guest attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.

  • 1977: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Michel Maurou

    Locals captured near La Croisette promenade in Cannes, France, in May 1977. 

  • 1976 Cannes Film Festival

    Gene Kelly (L) and Fred Astaire attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.Gene Kelly (L) and Fred Astaire attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.
    Image Credit: Guy Marineau

    Gene Kelly (L) and Fred Astaire attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.

  • 1976 Cannes Film Festival

    Guests attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.Guests attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.
    Image Credit: Guy Marineau

    Guests attend the 1976 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1976.

  • 1977: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    Marthe Keller and Roberto Rossellini attend the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977. 

  • 1977: Cannes Film Festival

    Edy Williams, appearing topless, attends the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977.Edy Williams, appearing topless, attends the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977.
    Image Credit: Michel Maurou

    Edy Williams, appearing topless, at the 30th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977.

  • 1977: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    Actress Tatiana Papamoschou (C) and guests attend the 30th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977. 

  • 1977: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Fairchild Archive

    Guest attend the 30th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977. 

  • 1977: Cannes Film Festival

    Image Credit: Michel Maurou

    Isabelle Huppert (L) and guests attend the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, in May 1977.