Cannes 2026: A Touch Of Black Everywhere, Because Our Times Demand It

Forbes Life Cannes 2026: A Touch Of Black Everywhere, Because Our Times Demand It By Guy Martin,

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Guy Martin covers culture, travel, and Thoroughbred racing.Follow Author May 16, 2026, 11:04am EDTUpdated May 16, 2026, 11:18am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Maura Higgins attends the opening ceremony and "La Vénus Electrique" (The Electric Venus) screening during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 12, 2026 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)Mike Marsland/WireImageAs at the Berlin and Venice festivals, the smart kids of cinema generally show up for Cannes, as they have religiously made the pilgrimage this year, beginning on May 12. But unlike in Berlin in the dead of winter and on the Venetian lagoon’s rather fabulous Lido at the far end of the Med’s back-to-school moment, the Cannes festival usually brings with it a kind of spring-fresh breeze. Of course, it’s also the South of France, so the setting is naturally more hopeful than anywhere else. Except for this year, as the bellicose zeitgeist thunderheads crashing about in the world immediately outside the festival — Hormuz/Gaza/Beirut/Tehran/Tel Aviv/Doha/Abu Dhabi/Dubai, to name just a few missile destinations, not to mention the overarching intra-European Russia-Ukraine conflict just up the road a piece from the Croisette.

Question is, what’s the dress for this conflagration-rich moment? What are the many festival costumiers and their more-and-less-famous mannequins to do? What picture should they “give.” The breezy, rite-of-spring dance down Cannes’ many red carpets for these past few days and for the next week seems best if it’s muted, and even a bit austere. Setting the tone right at the top of the doings, black is the one go-to colorway, glamorous, and yes, stripped down. Pictured top, Maura Higgins, the Ballymahon, Ireland, lass who’s graced serial television shows in Britain, Ireland and the States seems to have gotten it about right.