While the first few festivals were mainly society events, with almost every film that was screened and showcased was selected and awarded with a prize, the spotlights and cameras were mainly on the stars showing up in their statement gowns from all four corners of the globe, while snapping their famous red steps or as we call it ‘Montée Des Marches’ moment.
It was the constant media and press attention that was increasing year after year, and that made it into a world-famous, legendary event.
In the 50s, the Festival’s attention and popularity exploded even more with the presence of celebrities such as Kirk Douglas, Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, Cary Grant, Romy Schneider, Alain Delon, Simone Signoret, Gina Lollobrigida and Pablo Picasso.
It kept on growing with these prestigious, iconic figure with also the Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana, who were invited to the 40th Cannes Film Festival in 1987.
Yes their appearances marked the press, but it was what she was wearing that attracted the media even more, her baby-blue diaphanous tulle Catherine Walker gown is all they remember.
TONY WARD IN CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
With the Ateliers hustling and bustling, the dresses going from one floor to another, personalized sketches here and there, gowns flying to all four corners of the world between stylists and celebrities… It’s that time of the year…again: The Cannes Film Festival.
More than 150 dresses transported with the team to the festival, days before it kicks off, for the endless, around the clock fittings.
This momentum has been going on for the Tony Ward Fashion House for more than 15 years now.
From Jane Zhang in 2014 , Dorra Zarrouk and Malika Sherawat in 2018, Paola Turani in 2019… Fast forward to the 2020’s, The Tony Ward dresses were spotted and exploded all over the international press with the Getty images roaming around the channels.
