Cannes’ Brightest Canaries

2010 May 19

1. Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen
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(NEW YORK) Gucci or Pucci? That’s the question that many starlets and stressed stylists have been asking themselves on a nightly basis during the first half of the 63rd edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Yes, we’re already at the halfway point and the Italian brands have absolutely dominated the Riviera fashion credits so far. Gucci, of course, invested a lot of money in this event by having Frida Giannini co-host a dinner with Graydon Carter at the Du Cap for Martin Scorsese. This was also the first time the mega brand showcased its couture dresses and plenty of A-listers (think Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Watts, and Kate Beckinsale) happily modeled the creations throughout the week.

Peter Dundas (who will host a Pucci table at AmFar for the second year in a row) had a phenomenal week as well, as the brand recorded perhaps the most red carpet credits ever in a single week starting with Eva Longoria Parker whose opening night Pucci dress was picked up by weeklies and tabloids everywhere. Roberto Cavalli parked his yacht in Cannes earlier in the week (Lopez, Marc Anthony, Andrew Lloyd Webber are just some of the names on board) and he has been raking in strong credits all week long, as highlighted by Noami Campbell's gold showstopper.

The folks at Giorgio Armani will step up their game tonight by having the legendary Italian host a bash for Fair Play on their own boat. The likes of Elizabeth Banks, Emily Blunt, Ludovine Sagnier, Benicio del Toro, and Watts are all expected wearing you know what. Karl Lagerfled will be at AmFar on Thursday, so expect more Chanel credits this week (Dior, as well, thanks to their May 21 dinner) but so far the French have conceded this derby to the mighty and feisty Italian PR powers. The neutral Swiss (we’re talking about Chopard) are dominating the diamond race no matter who’s dressing who.

As for Americans? Pregnant Georgina Chapman didn’t accompany husband Harvey Weinstein to the festival this year, though Marchesa did get a great opening night dressing coup thanks to Beckinsale. And Suno’s Max Osterweis got his first huge red carpet moment yesterday when Michelle Williams donned the young brand on the Croisette. Diane von Furstenberg dressed Watts for the actresses’ press event, as well.

Taking all the dressing politics aside, we’ve decided to select top 15 looks that lit up Cannes during the first half of this year’s (rain soaked) affair. Peruse the photo gallery for our choice moments.
VALENTINE UHOVSKI