Stewart's cannes chaos: sneakers, sheer tweed, and a rebellion against red carpet rules
Kristen Stewart turned the Cannes Film Festival into her own personal runway this weekend, defying expectations with a series of daringly nonchalant looks—and a surprising footwear choice that sent shockwaves through the Fashion world.
Breaking the mold: chanel, sneakers, and a transparent twist
From the moment she stepped onto the Croisette in a sheer gray tweed top and skirt from Chanel’s spring 2026 couture collection, Stewart and stylist Tara Swennen signaled a departure from traditional red carpet glamour. The piece, described by Swennen as “a lightweight take on a classic tweed,” featured frayed edges and jeweled buttons, a delicate touch that cleverly concealed a surprising underlay of boy shorts and a camisole—a subtle rebellion against the festival’s increasingly stringent dress code.
A chanel reinvented
But the real story is the evolution of Chanel under Matthieu Blazy. Swennen emphasized a shift in the brand's aesthetic: “He’s really loosened Chanel up. When you look at his clothes, the tweeds are a little lighter, the tailoring is slouchier, and the silhouettes feel a little less rigid and lived-in.” Stewart, she explained, “likes to live in that arena,” embracing the brand’s new, more relaxed approach.
Color and confidence
Later, Stewart slipped into a vibrant red and black knit Chanel gown from Blazy’s fall 2026 collection. “I loved the color,” Swennen admitted, “We just threw it on, it fit perfectly.” The dress, adorned with delicate crochet leaves, perfectly embodied Chanel’s modern sensibility—a striking contrast to the more formal looks of the event.
Footwear as a statement
And then there were the sneakers. Despite Cannes’ ongoing resistance to flat shoes, Stewart paired her ensembles with Nike and Converse sneakers, a deliberate choice to inject a youthful, rebellious energy into her look. “We wanted to have a youthful and effortless vibe, but also have it be grounded in real movement, rather than polished perfection,” Swennen explained. “It had a sophistication, but also was a bit rebellious.”
A partnership that endures
This isn’t just a fleeting trend; it’s the consistent result of a powerful creative partnership between Stewart and Swennen. Since 2014, they've consistently pushed boundaries, using the red carpet as a platform for self-expression. “It’s the ultimate collaboration, because she’s never afraid to try new things, which is great because I love a good challenge,” Swennen said. “For me, it really is always about embodying your authentic self wherever you go.”
Looking ahead
Stewart’s Cannes run is far from over. She’ll be presiding over the Biarritz Nouvelles Vagues Festival in late June, hinting at a “French Cruise” aesthetic, and promoting her wife Dylan Meyer’s new film, The Wrong Girls. With a Stewart-Swennen partnership that shows no signs of slowing down, expect more moments of unexpected style and unapologetic individuality to come.