by Pamela Grossman
There was starlight shining through pouring rain at the Cannes Film Festival’s opening-night party, which celebrated Baz Luhrman’s “The Great Gatsby.” Though the film had premiered in New York City two weeks before, its artistic qualities and celebrity appeal got it picked as the Cannes opener—and it rolled out to glamour, cameras flashing, eager crowds, and a mighty spring downpour.
“Gatsby” star Carey Mulligan looked like a princess in a simple and lovely pale pink satin Dior gown; her costar Isla Fisher chose a fiery red Oscar de la Renta gown with a dramatic train, demonstrating that red can in fact look incredible on a redhead. Their cast mate Leonardo Dicaprio wore a classic, well-tailored tuxedo with bow tie.
Festival juror Nicole Kidman was picture-perfect and pretty as a garden in a Dior couture 3/4-length strapless white dress with floral embroidery. British actress Naomie Harris radiated classic glamour in a strapless silver beaded column dress, as did Cindy Crawford in a white Roberto Cavalli gown.
Zhang Ziyi chicly bucked the dress trend in a fun and elegant Dior couture navy and fuchsia strapless top with a peplum hem and black pants; her pixie haircut complemented this choice. And Solange wowed with a fawn-colored Stéphane Rolland gown with gorgeous overlay detail.
The Bryan Ferry Orchestra performed at the party with Florence Welch; a fireworks display went ahead even with stormy skies.
“Gatsby” has been a box-office success, demonstrating that not every summer movie must involve men blowing things up and that love stories deserve consideration for summer screens.
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