Selena Gomez's Cannes Red Carpet Gown Deserves a Standing Ovation

The actress and Rare Beauty founder dazzled in an off-the-shoulder dress and diamond jewelry.

Selena Gomez walks up the cannes red carpet stairs in a black and white gown and diamond jewelry
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Cannes Film Festival is as known for its extended standing ovations as it is for its glamorous, boundary-pushing red carpet fashion. If any look earned applause before entering the theater for today's slate of premieres, it was Selena Gomez's.

Gomez walked the Cannes red carpet on Saturday, May 18, to celebrate Emilia Pérez in an off-the-shoulder Saint Laurent gown styled by Erin Walsh. The look featured a black column shape with a wrap-like, draped white neckline—almost as if an elegant silk shawl had slipped down her shoulders and magically held itself in place. The look's classic movie star energy was amplified by an intricate diamond choker necklace and drop earrings by Bulgari that quite literally dripped diamonds.

Selena Gomez arrives at the Cannes Film festival red carpet wearing a black and white dress with diamond jewelry

Selena Gomez arrived at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Emilia Perez wearing a black column gown by Saint Laurent with a white, off-the-shoulder neckline.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Makeup artist Hung Vanngo prepped Gomez for the carpet with a minimal, matte beauty look including a natural lip and lightly lined eyes. (The look came together with Rare Beauty products, of course.) She swept her hair into a glossy, high ponytail with curled curtain bangs framing her face styled by Renato Campora. The star also debuted a fresh, fiery red manicure.

Selena Gomez on the cannes red carpet wearing a black and white gown and diamond jewelry

Gomez's Cannes red carpet look, styled by Erin Walsh, was accentuated by an intricate Bulgari diamond choker and drop diamond earrings.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Before hitting the carpet, Walsh styled Gomez in a colorful halter dress by Balmain. The cheerful outfit included a structured red buster that flowed into a full, floral printed skirt. She also had her hair pulled back into a high, loosely curled ponytail (minus the curtain bangs from her later red carpet walk).

Those weren't the only looks of Gomez's Cannes tour. The day before, she touched down in the South of France wearing a peplum mini dress by Self-Portrait, paired with an Aspinal of London bag and Roger Vivier slingback heels. She then changed into a custom black dress by Oscar de la Renta and swiped on her Rare Beauty lipstick in the shade Inspire.

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A photo posted by erinwalshstyle on

Selena Gomez the night before the Cannes red carpet wearing an off the shoulder oscar de la renta gown

The night before her Cannes red carpet debut, Gomez wore an off-the-shoulder custom Oscar de la Renta dress—plus her $20 red Rare Beauty lipstick.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gomez is attending Cannes to promote Emilia Pérez, a film billed as a "musical crime drama" by Variety. Zoe Saldaña also co-stars in the film, while up-and-comer Karla Sofia Gascón takes the leading role. It's Gomez's first live-action movie role in a minute; otherwise, she's been hard at work leading Rare Beauty and tackling TV projects, including a fourth season of Only Murders in the Building and a reboot of Wizards of Waverly Place.

Throughout her recent projects, Gomez has worked with Erin Walsh on looks that bring a feminine edge to her business and red carpet style. Tapping famed houses from Oscar de la Renta and Versace, as well as emerging labels like Maticevski, the star has lately favored off-the-shoulder necklines, ribbon details, and minimal palette—just like her award-worthy Cannes look.

This post was updated on Sunday, May 19, to include Gomez's current hair and makeup team.

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Halie LeSavage
Senior Fashion & Beauty News Editor

Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire. She is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, and emerging brands. In 8+ years as a journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from profiles on insiders like celebrity stylist Molly Dickson, to breaking brand collaboration news. She covers events like the Met Gala every year, and gets exclusive insight into red carpet looks through her column, The Close-Up.

Previously, Halie reported at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters. In 2022, she earned the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College.