Forty years after her first appearance on the red carpet, Juliette Binoche returns to Cannes as President of the Jury. A role perfectly suited to this actress of rare elegance, whose minimalist yet bold style is as enthralling as her filmography.
For its 78th edition, the Cannes Film Festival has chosen Juliette Binoche to succeed Greta Gerwig as President of the Jury. An audacious choice that marks a quiet yet significant shift: it’s only the second time in the festival’s history that two women have held the role consecutively. With Binoche, the festival honors auteur cinema demanding yet meaningful, while also reaffirming its commitment to greater representation. A major figure in French cinema and an award-winning actress (César, Oscar, Best Actress at Cannes for The English Patient), Juliette Binoche embodies a kind of understated, engaged modernity that softens the glitzy image of the Croisette.
A long-standing relationship
Juliette Binoche’s relationship with Cannes dates back forty years. In 1985, she walked the red carpet for the first time with Rendez-vous by André Téchiné, which went on to win the Best Director Award. On the steps, she wore a black velvet jacket and a large red scarf: a now-iconic 80s silhouette, combining shyness and strength, already hinting at her unique style that defies traditional beauty standards. Since then, the actress has returned to Cannes numerous times, both to promote her own roles and to support the auteur films she believes in. From Certified Copy to Polina (Dancing Her Life), from Camille Claudel 1915 to Clouds of Sils Maria, Binoche’s presence on the Croisette has never been just about glamour, but a reflection of her deep artistic commitment.
A look that’s unmistakable
On the red carpet as in everyday life, she gravitates toward bold colors: black, midnight blue, beige, deep red and simple, often oversized cuts. No frills: for her, clothes never steal the spotlight, they follow her lead. In 2010, at the screening of Certified Copy, she caught attention with a reimagined black suit, a sleeveless jacket worn directly on the skin, wide white lapels, and loose sarouel trousers, carried with an almost rock-inspired nonchalance. It was the era of indie-sleaze, marked by effortless and underground silhouettes, which she embraced without ever succumbing to fleeting trends. The actress remains loyal to an elegant, carefully curated wardrobe where poise always takes precedence over spectacle. This year again, she embodied that signature style by choosing a draped Dior Couture ensemble with an integrated hood, evoking a Madonna-like silhouette. To complete the look, Juliette Binoche opted for a pair of Chopard earrings, a long-standing partner of the festival. Yet another flawless appearance.
A discreet muse
Though she maintains a certain sense of reserve, Juliette Binoche remains a respected figure in the fashion world. A regular in Prada’s front row, she attends Milan shows whenever she can. At the FW26 presentation by the Italian house, she sported a bold, masculine-inspired silhouette: a technical orange windbreaker layered under a broad-shouldered leather blazer, oversized tailored trousers cascading over chunky-soled boots. One of the brand’s signature elements. An unexpected layering that proves she continues to experiment, shaping a femininity that is entirely her own, far from the more conventional looks of other female guests. More recently, upon arriving at Nice Airport as she was heading to the Cannes Film Festival, she was photographed in a full Tory Burch look: faded jeans, a beige trench, and touches of burgundy. A refined, timeless outfit, perfect for the mid-season.
Though she now attends the shows of major fashion houses, Juliette Binoche has rarely aligned herself with brands. The only notable exception remains her collaboration with Lancome in the 1990s for the Poême perfume campaign. A testament to her media discretion: to this day, it is the only advertisement she has ever agreed to appear in. This rarity is all the more striking given that she singlehandedly embodies a certain ideal of French elegance. Yet, true to her principles, the actress chooses to devote her image to meaningful films rather than commercial campaigns.
By entrusting her with the Jury presidency, Cannes shines a spotlight on an actress whose choices in both roles and wardrobe, speak to a consistent refusal of ready-made labels. Binoche asserts herself quietly, with a kind of grace that says as much about her as the characters she portrays.
