scorecard20 of the most daring outfits ever worn at the annual Cannes amfAR Gala
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20 of the most daring outfits ever worn at the annual Cannes amfAR Gala

Amanda Krause   

20 of the most daring outfits ever worn at the annual Cannes amfAR Gala
Kelly Rowland at the 2024 amfAR Gala.Michael Buckner/Getty Images
  • The annual amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival raises awareness and funds to fight AIDS.
  • It's also become a fashion hot spot over the years, with celebrities attending in standout looks.

Paris Hilton first attended the Cannes amfAR Gala in 2001 while wearing a bold, bedazzled gown.

Paris Hilton first attended the Cannes amfAR Gala in 2001 while wearing a bold, bedazzled gown.
Paris Hilton attends the 2001 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      J. Vespa/Dave Hogan/Getty Images

The names written in crystals on her Randolph Duke dress were actually celebrity autographs from stars like Tom Cruise and Clint Eastwood, and the matching jewels on her arm spelled "amfAR."

As for the gown itself, it was black and sleeveless with a round back cutout that extended to her sides.

Rose McGowan showed how lace can be edgy at the 2005 gala.

Rose McGowan showed how lace can be edgy at the 2005 gala.
Rose McGowan attends the 2005 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Goffredo di Crollalanza/Getty Images

Her red gown was crafted entirely from the see-through material and was split at the neckline to create a keyhole cutout that reached her stomach.

There were also three strips of red satin with floral appliqués that wrapped around her chest, hips, and waist.

Natalie Portman's white dress in 2008 looked more like a sculpture.

Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman attends the 2008 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      George Pimentel/Getty Images

Givenchy designed the structural, single-strap look, which had a fitted bodice and a full, ruffled skirt.

Portman wore it with black sandals, crystal earrings, and a tight updo hairstyle.

Dita Von Teese attended in 2009 while wearing a black dress with daring details.

Dita Von Teese attended in 2009 while wearing a black dress with daring details.
Dita Von Teese attends the 2009 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Mike Marsland/Getty Image

The sleeveless garment was made from a mix of netted fabric, lace, and string, the latter of which swirled across her décolletage.

And its sheer skirt — which was full, pleated, and decorated with stripes — revealed the black lingerie with garters she wore underneath.

The dress was originally designed as part of Jean Paul Gaultier's calligraphy-inspired collection that year.

Fashion icon Grace Jones had a standout style moment in 2010.

Fashion icon Grace Jones had a standout style moment in 2010.
Grace Jones attends the 2010 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Mike Marsland/Getty Images

Her purple gown wrapped around her body and perfectly matched her vibrant eye makeup.

But the model's accessories really stole the show. She wore black sandals, carried a red-and-black cape, donned mesh gloves, and wore a mask with horns over her face.

Irina Shayk's white dress in 2011 was a bit of an optical illusion.

Irina Shayk
Irina Shayk attends the 2011 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images

Its single-strap bodice was tan and decorated with a white paisley print, creating the illusion that she was naked aside from the swirled design.

The garment also had a floor-length, flowing skirt with a thigh-high slit that made the outfit even more daring.

Janet Jackson also stood out in white when she attended the 2012 gala.

Janet Jackson also stood out in white when she attended the 2012 gala.
Janet Jackson attends the 2012 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Daniele Venturelli/Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

Emilio Pucci designed her halter dress, which had a deep slit in the middle of its bodice and a matching one at the bottom of its long skirt.

And when Jackson turned around, you could see that the gown was also backless and scooped above her backside.

In 2014, Alessandra Ambrosio wore three daring fashion trends in one dress.

In 2014, Alessandra Ambrosio wore three daring fashion trends in one dress.
Alessandra Ambrosio attends the 2014 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

Her white, sleeveless gown designed by Roberto Cavalli had both a plunging, V-shaped neckline and waist cutouts lined with sparkles.

But the daring details didn't stop there. The gown also featured a thigh-high slit in its pleated, floor-length skirt.

Gigi Hadid was dressed in a bold Tom Ford look the following year.

Gigi Hadid was dressed in a bold Tom Ford look the following year.
Gigi Hadid attends the 2015 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Her white, long-sleeved gown stood out thanks to its rectangle cutout that extended the length of its bodice, and the thigh-high slit in its column skirt.

She wore it with tan sandals and neutral makeup.

Katy Perry brought color to the red carpet when she arrived wearing a floral gown in 2016.

Katy Perry brought color to the red carpet when she arrived wearing a floral gown in 2016.
Katy Perry attends the 2016 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Toni Anne Barson/Getty Images

The off-the-shoulder Marchesa design was lined with red lace and embellished with fabric flowers along its neckline and long sleeves.

Petals were also scattered across its bodice and skirt, leading to another patch of appliqués around the hemline.

Bella Hadid wore one of her most daring looks to date when she attended the Cannes gala in 2017.

Bella Hadid wore one of her most daring looks to date when she attended the Cannes gala in 2017.
Bella Hadid attends the 2017 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

The Ralph & Russo couture gown left little to the imagination, as it was entirely sheer and covered in crystals.

It featured a corset bodice, asymmetrical straps, and a long skirt with a train and thigh-high slit.

Winnie Harlow also rocked the "naked" trend that year.

Winnie Harlow also rocked the "naked" trend that year.
Winnie Harlow attends the 2017 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Gisela Schober/Getty Images

Her white gown was strapless with an opaque bustier top and a see-through column skirt.

She wore it with matching underwear, diamond hoop earrings, and a bob hairstyle.

Shanina Shaik, on the other hand, wore a loose-fitting chainmail dress.

Shanina Shaik, on the other hand, wore a loose-fitting chainmail dress.
Shanina Shaik attends the 2017 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

Her silver, sleeveless gown was cut deeply across its bodice and skirt to reveal the model's sides and legs.

She wore it with strappy sandals, a silver bangle bracelet, dangling earrings, and a sleek updo.

Izabel Goulart's see-through gown in 2019 had lots of sharp edges.

Izabel Goulart
Izabel Goulart attends the 2019 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Gisela Schober/Getty Images

The dress had sharp shoulder pads and a plunging neckline up top, while fringe lined its skirt at the bottom.

And that's not to mention the laser-cut designs across the gown that revealed the model's skin.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez showed the power of asymmetrical designs on the 2021 red carpet.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez showed the power of asymmetrical designs on the 2021 red carpet.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez attends the 2021 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images

Designed by Etro, her blue gown was seemingly crafted from a single piece of fabric that draped across her body to create twists and cutouts.

The chiffon material was also painted with gold polka dots that added shine to her look.

Last year, influencer Jessica Wang looked both bold and glamorous on the red carpet.

Last year, influencer Jessica Wang looked both bold and glamorous on the red carpet.
Jessica Wang attends the 2022 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

Valdrin Sahiti designed her white gown, which had strings of pearls in place of a top and bedazzled sheer fabric acting as a skirt and cape.

Joan Smalls also mixed sheer fabric with sparkles for the event.

Joan Smalls also mixed sheer fabric with sparkles for the event.
Joan Smalls attends the 2022 amfAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.      Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Her sheer Dundas look was embellished with sporadic silver stripes and round cutouts that extended from her waist to her thighs.

Kelly Roland stood out in lime green at the 2024 amfAR Gala.

Kelly Roland stood out in lime green at the 2024 amfAR Gala.
Kelly Rowland at the 2024 amfAR Gala.      Michael Buckner/Getty Images

Gaurav Gupta designed her stunning two-piece set. It comprised a bedazzled bralette with a single shoulder strap and a floor-length skirt that dipped low in the back.

Rowland wore the outfit with a delicate diamond necklace.

Heidi Klum and her daughter Leni had a daring mother-daughter fashion moment.

Heidi Klum and her daughter Leni had a daring mother-daughter fashion moment.
Heidi Klum and Leni Klum attend the 2024 amfAR Gala.      Mike Marsland/Getty Images

Heidi sported a salmon-colored gown that was basically one giant ruffle wrapped around her body. It extended into a train behind her and was accessorized with dramatic earrings.

Leni, on the other hand, wore a black gown made from a netted material that showed her skin. The dress also featured rose-shaped embellishments across the chest and waist, and the 20-year-old model completed her look with a diamond necklace.

Coco Rocha looked like she stepped out of a fantasy novel in her feathered veil.

Coco Rocha looked like she stepped out of a fantasy novel in her feathered veil.
Coco Rocha attends the 2024 amfAR Gala.      Sameer Al-Doumy/Getty Images

She wore a golden creation from Yanina that included a see-through mesh gown embellished with metallic sparkles, and a feather-covered veil draped over her head.

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