It’s flashy, jazzy, tacky, and totally jet-set. From morning to night on the Croisette—the boulevard that runs along the Mediterranean in Cannes—everyone is dressed to impress. For ten days, the main goal is to get an invitation to the exclusive club that is the Cannes Film Festival. But not everyone actually stops to watch a movie.
In this image-driven world, luxury is worn right down to the skin. The media plays a key role in creating desire. Magazine publishers and social media platforms team up with brands to promote new products and show off the celebrities wearing them. Now, a new kind of celebrity is invited to the Croisette: influencers. These are people with unusual career paths who started from nothing.
From the Carlton to the Grand Théâtre Lumière, the most dazzling outfits are proudly on display. Whether it’s Chanel jewelry or a Louis Vuitton leather bag—real or fake—logos here mean glamour and power.
Trainers are not allowed at gala performances in the Grand Théâtre Lumière. The festival requires evening wear: a “long dress or little black dress” for women, and “a black or navy blue tuxedo with a bow tie or dark tie” for men. Without this, you might be turned away. That happened to me last year, because I didn’t have time to change after a day of walking around.
The scene plays out on the streets: princess dresses, too much Botox, sparkling jewelry, gleaming Lamborghinis. A fashion show—minus the red carpet—unfolds between the Marriott and the Grand Théâtre Lumière. The festival has become a symbol of the society of spectacle.
The crowd pushes and shoves at the exit of a screening. Yingying A-tupho came from Thailand for the festival. She calls herself a “model, actress, singer, and teacher of classical Thai dance,” but she couldn’t get photographed on the red carpet because there are two separate entrances: one for film crews and official guests, and another for the public.
Left: Edward Hollander, whose fortune is estimated at over £310 million, and his partner Amanda Balk, 38, a reality TV contestant, were invited by the luxury jeweler Messika. Right: a couple strolls along the Croisette.
French YouTuber Mehdi Jibril, on the right, brings a Tom Cruise lookalike to the festival. Spotted online a few weeks earlier, this German man is no stranger to cameo appearances. He arrives on a motorbike, wearing aviator sunglasses and flashing a devastating smile: mission accomplished.
I originally started going to film festivals to watch movies, but I was immediately drawn to the hustle and bustle on the sidelines—that world of glitz, glamour, and eccentric characters. For the past two years, I’ve been photographing the jet set and the crowd of unknowns who surround them, dreaming of a place among the stars. I wanted to know who they were and what brought them here. Photography has given me a way to connect with these worlds.
The Albert Édouard jetty is right next to the entrance of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, which hosts festival events. While the festival has promised to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 21% by 2030, the biggest private yachts start docking as early as May.
Left: The owner of Villa Oxygene in Super-Cannes, a neighborhood on the hills above the Californie district, has placed a statue of Tony Montana—the villain from Scarface played by Al Pacino—on his terrace. Right: Tragedy on the Croisette. In the middle of last year’s festival, a palm tree fell, seriously injuring a Japanese producer who had worked on the film Brand New Landscape, which was being screened at the festival.Directors’ Fortnight
The Cannes Film Festival doesn’t just draw movie lovers. Every year, the jet set floods into the city. Superyachts fill the Mediterranean, and luxury villas sparkle along the Bay of Cannes. The best suites in the hills of the Californie district are booked months ahead for exclusive parties away from the city’s chaos. Whether it’s rooftop after-parties or cocktails on private beaches, the key is not to leave without an invitation.
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Gatsby Randolph is a regular at high-society events. On a yacht he chartered for the occasion, he hosted a champagne afternoon to celebrate the release of his second film: Who is Gatsby Randolph? Part 2.
In Cannes, anything is possible. Getting noticed as a model, landing a brand deal, signing with an agency… The world’s biggest film festival turns into a huge marketplace of opportunities. That’s the case for this jet-setter, who came all the way from the US to present the second part of his biopic: Who is Gatsby Randolph? Part 2. I met him on the Corniche, on the yacht he had rented for the event. It’s hard to tell where parody ends and reality begins with Randolph.
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On the red carpet, a bow tie is a must for men.
When I crop faces in my work, I anonymize people for whom appearance is everything. Through details like bare backs, close-ups of Rolex watches, or shots focused on bright red lips, I reveal the symbols of status in this world of luxury. Among those waiting for their 15 minutes of fame, a few refuse to be photographed. But most strike star poses, flash dazzling smiles, and show off Chanel necklaces. These models enjoy posing for my lens, even asking for private photoshoots by the sea.
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A pair of bare backs: a festivalgoer and a dog. On the Croisette, even the dogs are dressed up. Since 2001, the Palm Dog award has been given for the “best canine performance on the big screen.” Here, Felicity, the dog of animal rights activist Julia de Cadenet, shows off.
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Many older people find the nightlife less lively than it used to be. Luc, a retiree, misses the days he spent in Cannes. “Back then, you could run into Jean-Paul Belmondo on the beach and chat with him easily. Now, stars are mobbed by amateur photographers and don’t dare go out in public.” With his shirt wide open, he spends his days on the beach promenade, showing off his deep tan, always accessorized with his watch and gold chain.
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Everyone is showing their love for cinema. Still, few manage to get a ticket to the famous Grand Théâtre Lumière.
I’ve seen young women leave the theater right after their red-carpet appearance because their dresses were too bulky to watch the film. A red-carpet walk is a real goldmine and is at the heart of brand strategies. Whether it’s jewelry, beauty products, or luxury clothing, major companies work with models and celebrities to get their products on the red carpet. Partnerships have multiplied. From the Nespresso-sponsored beach to Louis Vuitton handbags, the film festival is becoming a brand festival.
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Mitchell Akat, a South Sudanese model, wearing an outfit designed by Harvey Cenit, who invited her to Cannes.
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On loan from brands, fashion collections are showcased and photographed throughout the festival.
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Ana Peleteiro-Compaoré Brión, the Spanish triple jumper, is escorted to the Majestic for a photoshoot.
In May, the glamorous world of the jet set mixes with the rest of the crowd: Mr. and Miss Nobody, dreaming teenagers, scroungers, onlookers on the sidelines, or made-up paparazzi. This blend of the flashy and the absurd is both surprising and fascinating. Who is invited?What is a gatecrasher? Who will win the Palme d’Or? This mix of over-the-top behavior reminds us of a hard truth: fake it until you make it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the concept of the photo essay Away from the red carpet the flashy jazzy and tacky crowd takes over Cannes
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is this photo essay about
Its about the people and parties in Cannes that arent part of the official film festival Instead of celebrities on the red carpet it focuses on the loud colorful and overthetop crowds brands and influencers who take over the city
2 Who are the flashy jazzy and tacky people
They are a mix of social media influencers brand ambassadors wealthy tourists and local entertainers They come to Cannes to be seen party and promote products often with a very bold and more is more sense of style
3 Where do these people hang out in Cannes
They arent at the official Palais des Festivals They take over private yachts beach clubs luxury hotel pools and popup brand parties along the Croisette
4 Is this a real part of the Cannes Film Festival
Yes While the official festival is about cinema the parallel festival of flashy parties and brand activations is a huge unofficial part of the Cannes experience The photo essay captures that side
AdvancedLevel Questions
5 Why does the tacky crowd exist alongside the red carpet
Brands and influencers use Cannes global prestige to grab attention The red carpet is exclusive but the city becomes a giant marketing playground The tacky crowd fills the gap for those who cant get into the official events but still want to be associated with the glamour
6 What are some common examples of the tacky behavior shown
The essay likely shows people wearing extremely revealing or mismatched outfits posing aggressively on yachts holding oversized brand logos and creating chaotic scenes at beachside events Its about spectacle over substance
7 How does this photo essay differ from typical Cannes coverage
Typical coverage shows elegant gowns and famous actors This essay deliberately highlights the contrast the gaudy messy and sometimes desperate attempts to grab a piece of the spotlight Its a behind
