Since Kristen Stewart first attended the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, she has become a regular on the red carpet. The event is known for its glamour and extravagance, and over the years, Stewart and her stylist Tara Swennen have embraced the challenge by delivering many memorable looks—from a silvery Chanel couture dress (the year she famously took off her Louboutins!) to a pink tweed skirt suit. “I love Cannes because it’s a global stage—it gets more attention than most other festivals or red carpets,” Swennen tells Vogue. “Unlike the Oscars, where there’s a bit more restraint, Cannes really encourages a mix of glamour, art, and beauty. People go all out.”

This year, Stewart and Swennen were ready to deliver another standout Cannes wardrobe to match Stewart’s exciting new project. She was in town to promote Quentin Dupieux’s film Full Phil, starring alongside Woody Harrelson and Emma Mackey. Over the weekend, Stewart wore two striking, high-energy outfits on the Cannes red carpet.

As a longtime face for Chanel, it’s no surprise both looks came from the French label. “Kristen, Chanel, and Matthieu Blazy have a great relationship because she brings his pieces to life in a unique way,” says Swennen. “He’s really loosened up Chanel. His clothes have lighter tweeds, slouchier tailoring, and less rigid silhouettes that feel more lived-in. That’s exactly the style Kristen loves.”

For the film’s photo call, Stewart first stepped onto the Cannes Croisette in a sheer gray “tweed” top and skirt from Chanel’s spring 2026 couture collection. “It was a lightweight take on classic tweed, with frayed edges and jeweled buttons. We loved its delicacy and the tension of the sheerness,” says Swennen. Although the outfit looked completely transparent, it was actually an optical illusion. “It had tiny boy shorts underneath and a delicate camisole, so it seemed more revealing than it really was,” she adds.

Later that evening, Stewart changed into a more formal option—a red and black knit Chanel gown from Blazy’s fall 2026 collection. “I loved the color. We just threw it on, and it fit perfectly,” says Swennen. “It had delicate crochet leaves. It felt very Chanel, but also modern and cool.”

Stewart also switched up her usual makeup. “I love that she went for a different look,” Swennen says. “You don’t often see her in a red lip, and it worked really well with her new pixie cut.” They completed the bold outfit with Chanel High Jewelry pieces, including a tiny red watch.

What tied both her daytime and nighttime looks together? A signature Stewart touch: comfortable sneakers from Nike and Converse, straight from her own closet. “We wanted a youthful, effortless vibe that felt grounded in real movement, not polished perfection,” says Swennen. “It was sophisticated but also a bit rebellious.”

This footwear choice was interesting, given Cannes still has a strict dress code that discourages flat shoes, as well as sheer and voluminous designs. For Swennen, the somewhat old-fashioned Cannes dressing rules are something to consider—but both she and Stewart clearly enjoy pushing boundaries. “As long as it’s not trashy and people stay polished, I think the rules are flexible,” says Swennen. “Nowadays, plenty of people are bending the dress code, whether with heels or transparency. It’s nice.”There should be a bit more looseness around it. People should feel free to go out, have fun, share their art, and stay true to themselves.”

Having worked with Stewart since she was 14, Swennen says this attitude is exactly why they still love working together. They both see the red carpet as a chance for self-expression and individuality. “It’s the ultimate collaboration, because she’s never afraid to try new things—which is great, because I love a good challenge,” says Swennen. “For me, it’s always about being your authentic self, no matter where you are. She looks her best when the clothes feel natural to her. She never wants to feel over-rehearsed. One thing I’ve learned about her is that she’s always going to be effortlessly cool.”

Although the star’s whirlwind trip to Cannes is already wrapping up (she’s heading back to film her next project), Swennen says you’ll see Stewart on a red carpet again very soon—this is far from the end of their amazing run in France. In late June, Stewart will serve as president of the Biarritz Nouvelles Vagues Festival in France. “We had virtual fittings for that while she was in Cannes,” says Swennen, hinting that the style vibe will be “French Cruise.” This summer, Stewart will also be promoting her wife Dylan Meyer’s new film, The Wrong Girls, and she’s working on a new TV show. The Stewart-Swennen partnership will keep delivering all summer long.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about how Tara Swennen created Kristen Stewarts elegant yet edgy Cannes look

BeginnerLevel Questions

1 Who is Tara Swennen
Tara Swennen is Kristen Stewarts longtime stylist She is known for mixing high fashion with a cool rockandroll edge

2 What made Kristen Stewarts Cannes look so special
It perfectly balanced two opposites The outfit was elegant but also edgy

3 What is the edgy part of the look
The edge usually comes from breaking the rules This could mean wearing a tuxedo jacket with shorts pairing a delicate dress with combat boots or adding a bold spiked choker

4 What is the elegant part of the look
The elegance comes from the foundation This includes luxurious fabrics a refined silhouette or classic Chanel accessories like pearls

5 Did Kristen Stewart wear Chanel
Yes almost always Kristen is a brand ambassador for Chanel so her Cannes looks are typically custommade or selected from Chanels collections

Advanced Specific Questions

6 How does Tara Swennen make a classic Chanel look feel rebellious
She subverts the brand For example she might take a classic tweed skirt suit and have Kristen wear it with a sheer lowcut top instead of a blouse or swap the heels for flat laceup boots

7 What was the specific trick for the 2023 Cannes look
Tara often uses unexpected layering For the Crimes of the Future premiere she paired a sheer crystalembroidered Chanel dress with a simple highwaisted black brief underneath making a seethrough dress feel powerful not just sexy

8 How does Tara choose between a gown and pants for Cannes
She considers the movies theme and Kristens mood For a serious drama she might choose a sharp tailored jumpsuit For a premiere she might choose a gown but add a leather belt or a cropped jacket