Cannes Film Festival 2012 Red Carpet Fashion

Fans of award season red carpet fashion sometimes forget that although the Academy Awards is the premiere event of the year, there is still plenty of red carpet gold to go around after the Oscars. The Cannes Film Festival which extends from May 16 to the 27 provides actors and celebrities one of the last opportunities of the season to flaunt eye-popping fashion by some of the industry’s hottest designers. Gucci, Versace Atelier, Marchesa and Valentino were the overall designers of choice at Cannes with the continuing trends of diaphanous fabrics, floral embellishments and sequins ruled the day.

Fashion Reverie gives its readers a summary of some of the great looks that quickened pulses and set cameras clicking before these celebrities jet away to resort retreats in St. Tropez, the Hamptons and other exotic getaways.

Janet Jackson demonstrates that she is sticking to her Nutrisystem regimen by looking great in a white Pucci gown. And Natasha Poly stuns in two different Gucci gowns, giving a little lusty leg in forest green Gucci.

Some celebs were attracted to gowns with trains as evidenced by Fan Bingbing in decorative Christopher Bu and Eva Longoria in Marchesa.

Nicole Kidman was a showstopper in Greek-inspired Lanvin, while Jada Pinkett-Smith and Freida Pinto attracted lots of attention in Alberta Ferretti and Versace Atelier, respectively.

Septuagenarian Jane Fonda holds her own and makes a statement in Valentino. And supermodels Heidi Klum in Marchesa and Eva Herzigova in Dolce Gabbana bring lush beauty and elegance.

Fashion Reverie never leaves the men out. Brad Pitt is sharp and sporty in Gucci, while Sean Combs brings charm and sophistication in a white dinner jacket.

—William Gooch