Cate Blanchett, the woman who can seemingly wear anything well, was named jury chair for Cannes earlier this year. Cate is only the third woman in the last 10 years to chair the event, and by far the most sartorially exciting.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see what Cate has brought to the table in past years, and take a stab at picking some looks for her jury duty when Cannes starts next week!
2015 “Sicario” Premiere in Armani Privé
Cate apparently didn’t attend the last few years, so her most recent showing is from 2015. As you’ll see, she tends to be very loyal to a handful of designers, Armani Privé being her go-to. This is lovely but forgettable.
2015 “Carol” Premiere in Giles
I remember loving this dress when I first saw it, and I think it holds up well. The pattern and draping at the back are both so interesting. It’s classic Cate – unique, high drama, and impossibly cool.
2015 Chopard Party for “Carol” in Alexander McQueen
Eh…this is fine, it’s pretty in a romantic kind of way, but it’s also a total non-color.
2015 “Carol” Photocall in Alexander McQueen
remember a lot of people at the time were offended by the exposed bra, saying that it was beneath her. I actually love this look. I think over time we have all become more desensitized to exposed undercrackers.
2014 “How to Train Your Dragon” Photocall in Delpozo
I love Cate in Delpozo – I think their mod weirdness is a great match for her. This is fine, but I’ve included a few fantastic Delpozo looks in my wish list for her this year!
2014 “How to Train Your Dragon” Premiere in Givenchy
This Givenchy also got mixed reviews at the time. I LOVE it from the front, but the beading stops in the back and turns into illusion netting which is just…weird. Did they run out of beads!?
2014 Chopard Party in Armani Privé
I completely adore this. Easily my favorite thing she’s ever worn to Cannes. The serpentine fabric and exotic color are so intriguing, and the floral details at the shoulder are exceptionally elegant.
2014 Chopard Trophy in Valentino
This has a lot of the sheer elements that continue to haunt us to this day, but it’s much better than a lot of what’s come after. The silver and bronze combo is gorgeous.
2014 Armani and Vanity Fair Party in Armani Privé
Speaking of non-colors…this is so musty.
2013 “Robin Hood” Premiere in Alexander McQueen
Sigh. This is gorgeous. Classic McQueen, with the poof of tulle and the glittering bird of prey (I find that birds feature pretty often in McQueen’s work).
2013 “Robin Hood” Photocall in Armani Privé
Good god, this ages her by at least 20 years. This suit isn’t meant for gorgeous, adventurous, sartorially interesting Cate Blanchett. It’s meant for your obscenely rich Great Aunt Buffy to wear to your wedding where she will complain non-stop about how cold it is in the ballroom.
2008 “Indiana Jones” Premiere in Armani Privé
Remember when this was THE style and literally everyone wore this type of dress at one time or another? Amy Adams did to the 2008 Oscars, as did Jennifer Garner. Reese Witherspoon wore one to the 2007 Oscars, as did Sofia Vergara to the 2012 Golden Globes. Etc, etc. Fishtail hems were never my favorite and I don’t particularly miss them.
2008 “Blindness” Premiere in Armani Privé
This is the first Armani she wore to Cannes, clearly sparking a longtime collaboration. One thing I often forget about Cate is that she can gravitate towards colors that wash her out. This does absolutely nothing for me.
2006 “Babel” Premiere in Alexander McQueen
For her first Cannes appearance, Cate turned to her other go-to, Alexander McQueen. This is fine, but not really for me. It feels dated – from that time everyone was super into fetishizing Asian fashion. This would have been GREAT for the China themed Met Gala a few years ago though…
Cannes 2018 Wish List
Now that we’ve taken a look at Cate’s sartorial resume for Cannes past, let’s see if we can pick some looks from the last few collections of some of her favorite designers for her to wear next week! Will most of her looks be custom? Likely. Does that mean it’s any less fun to play fantasy stylist? Absolutely not.
Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2017
This dress IS Cate Blanchett. She has literally worn at least 5 things just like this. I can beyond picture her in it.
Delpozo Pre-Fall 2017
The avant garde construction of this Delpozo positively screams Cate Blanchett!
Alexander McQueen Fall 2018 RTW
Cannes is all about going big or going home. I would be remiss if I DIDN’T include this insanely out there feathered, caped McQueen. If anyone could pull this off it would be Cate Blanchett at Cannes.
Givenchy Fall 2017 RTW
I feel 97% confident that Cate will wear a suit of some kind. I adore this fabulously glittered pantsuit from Givenchy.
Alexander McQueen Resort 2018
I assume Cate will need some more casual ensembles for various photocalls. These two McQueen day dresses are absolutely adorable.
Fashion Wonk 