Stella Maxwell at Cannes: bold cutouts, pins, and party couture

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Victoria’s Secret model Stella Maxwell turned heads at a Cannes party with a daring dress featuring multiple cutouts and thigh-high slits secured by safety pins. The ensemble drew attention for its provocative silhouette and unconventional fastening, a nod to the fashion risk-taking that often marks the festival circuit. The report from Daily Mail notes the bold styling and the way the pins added an edgy, almost sculpture-like detail to the gown.

The look was all black with a metallic shimmer that caught the evening light, complemented by a fringe that added movement as Maxwell walked. The dress appeared to be without linen or an underlayer, letting the silhouette stay strikingly bare and defined against the crowd. The effect was a statement of confidence and modern red-carpet nonchalance, an aesthetic choice many onlookers described as fearless and fashion-forward.

At 33 years old, Maxwell completed the ensemble with a sleek black manicure and matching platform sandals, a pairing that kept the focus on the dress while ensuring height and poise for the momentous night. The event, a Vogue-hosted party celebrating the premiere of the Idol series in collaboration with Chopard, was held at the Martinez Hotel, a venue known for drawing high-profile celebrities and luxury brands alike.

The guest list read like a who’s who of contemporary pop culture: Idol star Lily-Rose Depp, model Julia Fox, and musician Travis Scott joined Maxwell for the evening, each contributing their own distinct style to the high-energy Cannes atmosphere. One guest wore an ultra-short sequined dress that mirrored the movie-heartbeat of the festival, reflecting how designers and stars often push the boundaries of glamor in this setting.

The fashion history of safety pins on evening wear stretches back decades, with landmark moments that remind viewers how a simple fastening can transform a look. In 1994, Elizabeth Hurley captured headlines in a black Versace gown held together with gold pins, a moment that journalists still reference when discussing wardrobe risk-taking on the red carpet. The 2020s have seen a renewed fascination with visible fasteners as a deliberate style device, used to convey attitude and playfulness while maintaining elegance.

Earlier in Cannes, Lily-Rose Depp was noted for walking the red carpet in a striking, age-defying dress that drew its own wave of media attention. The ongoing fashion conversations at the festival often center on how young stars balance classic couture with contemporary edge, a theme clearly present in Maxwell’s bold choice and the surrounding outfits. The scene at the Martinez Hotel captured not just outfits, but a sense of moment—where fashion, film, and music intersect in a shared celebration of bold self-expression.

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