Cannes 2015: Lupita Nyong’o is belle of the fashion ball
The Cannes Film Festival, which opened Wednesday evening in France, boasts the most high-profile international red carpet next to the Oscars.
Lupita Nyong’o was the belle of the ball at the opening night premiere of the film “Standing Tall,” twirling for the cameras in her one-of-a kind Gucci jade green chiffon plisse gown with cape detail featuring embroidered crystals and hand-painted pink and blush silk flowers.
The custom creation was designed by Alessandro Michele, who took over as Gucci’s creative director in January, bringing a decidedly more eccentric vision to the luxury powerhouse, which seemed to be expressing itself, ever so slightly, in the offbeat hue and over-the-top, jewelry-like embroidery on this gown.
It’s the first of what are sure to be many big red carpet moments for Gucci and other brands under the Kering umbrella over the course of the 11-day 68th annual Cannes Film Festival, since Kering has entered into a five-year strategic partnership to host events with well-dressed celebs at Cannes.
Representatives and some creative directors from Kering brands Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Brioni, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Pomellato will be on site during the festival, with showrooms in the Hotel Majestic Barriere, to hobnob and facilitate dressing opportunities.
“Kering has a long commitment to women and cinema history,” Marie-Laure Vaganay, communications director for Kering Americas, said during a phone call to discuss the partnership. “A lot of our brands, especially Gucci, have done a lot with cinema and women’s issues, so it was quite natural to get involved.” Vaganay was referring to Gucci’s decade of working with Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation on restoring Hollywood films, and its role in the Chime for Change campaign to empower women and girls around the world.
She acknowledged that while “our brands are very happy we’ve signed with Cannes, giving us access to the red carpet and celebrities,” Kering is also pleased to be hosting the Women in Motion program, bringing a new form of content to the festival.
The Women in Motion series of talks will feature actresses Salma Hayek Pinault (who is the wife of Kering CEO Francois Henri Pinault), Frances McDormand and Isabella Rosellini and others, who will discuss issues affecting women in the film industry, specifically how women are underrepresented behind the camera. There will also be a Women in Motion award given to a young woman in the industry who is doing something special, including a monetary prize to support her, Vaganay said.
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