Cannes Cannes Cannes...

Cannes Film festival - Red carpet 2010

The Cannes film festival is always a feast for the eyes, providing a fantastic platform for celebrities to shine in true couture fashion.

The glamorous gowns on the red carpet opening were no exception.

Kate Beckinsale

Karen Willis Holmes ‘Gabriella’ gown

Looking absolutely amazing as always, Kate Beckinsale gets top marks for a fantastic choice of gown finished off with impeccable jewellery, hair and makeup.

Karen’s Pick – For a long bodice with dramatic ruffles in the skirt, ‘Gabriella’ is the one. Shoulders capped with sweet, tulle sleeves, along with the cascading ruffles, this is one jaw-dropping gown.

Karen’s Tip – For a gown with so much detail and fabric, keep your hair up and make up fresh to give an overall perfect look.

Danielle Spencer

Karen Willis Holmes ‘Naomi’ gown

Wearing a simple halter neck style, Danielle Spencer personifies pretty in a gorgeous soft rose-pink shade, donning the perfect accessory – a man in a tux – husband, Russell Crowe.

Karen’s Tip – ‘Naomi’ a gorgeously simple halter neck gown suits girls with smaller busts. Pair with a beautiful lace veil to add an element of understated detail.

Lea Seydoux

Karen Willis Holmes ‘Maddison’ gown

French actress, Lea Seydoux, opts for a muted peach-tone for her stunning pleated tulle detail gown. Keeping her look youthful, Seydoux wears a pretty plaited updo.

Karen’s Pick – To match the pleated tulle feature go for the ‘Maddison’ gown, or you can opt to wear it as a bolero over a simpler gown.

Karen’s Tip – Keep hair up and back when wearing such a dramatic neckline, not only will this help to not overwhelm but it ensure that your hair does not push the soft ruffles down.

Salma Hayek

Karen Willis Holmes ‘Michaela’ gown

Looking stunning as usual, Salma Hayek swished down the red carpet in a rich ruby-red one-shouldered gown with diamante detail.

Karen’s Pick – ‘Micheala’ is a striking gown with ruched georgette and gorgeous diamante brooch features. A fantastic flattering shape, perfect for a simply glamorous look.

Sara Forestier

Karen Willis Holmes gown and Infinity Photography

Sara Forestier in a classic black gown with a pleated neckline – a simple feature that adds a gorgeous feminine touch.

Karen’s Tip – To add a touch of pretty detail, take cue from Jade Hawkins (one of our real brides pictured here by Infinity Photography) and insert a little bit of pleated tulle into the neckline to soften the overall look. Be sure to keep it thin and fine, so as not to detract from the shape of the neckline.

Eva Longoria and Aishwarya Rai

Karen Willis Holmes ‘Adele’ gown

Eva Longoria and Aishwarya Rai both wore amazingly full-ruffled gowns. The texture on both of their gowns was phenomenal and would look fantastic in movement!

Karen’s Pick – For a dramatic look, try the ‘Adele’ gown with matching ‘Butterfly’ train – a gloriously long ruffled train that is detachable for ease when dancing later on in the night!

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren looked fabulous! In a sleek, black, off-the-shoulder gown, she looked sophisticated and stunning, topped off with some matching diamante earrings and cuffs.

Karen’s Tip – When wearing a soft jersey fabric, make sure to wear the right underwear – seamless! (Unless you have a smoking figure like Helen!)