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festival de cannes

Cannes Film Festival: 6 Lessons I Learned as a Fashion Journalist!

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Covering the Cannes Film Festival as a fashion writer for six years has allowed me to experience moments of pure glamour, emotions, and discover the hidden mechanics of luxury and fashion. From the red carpet walks to events hosted by the biggest fashion houses, as well as the hierarchy of journalists and the fatigue, the Cannes Film Festival has taught me valuable lessons.

I wanted to share with you a bit of the behind-the-scenes of the most incredible festival on the planet, which brings together the biggest movie stars, promising authors, and incredible fashion moments that make history for eleven days.

You have to look presentable while sleeping 4 hours a night!

Certainly, the hardest part of the Cannes Film Festival is looking super fresh, well made-up, and presentable with so little sleep!

I have spent nights up to 4 a.m. on my computer reworking red carpet photos, writing about the stars’ looks, and preparing my interviews while having a screening and breakfast the next morning at 10 a.m.

My tip to hold on is quite simple: as little alcohol as possible, a water bottle with lemon juice during the day, and a diet rich in vegetables.

When it comes to makeup, I avoid foundation which tends to emphasize fine lines of fatigue, and I prefer a loose powder from Dior.

I also prioritize freshness with a beautiful simple and shiny manicure like Hailey Bieber’s and well-hydrated hands.

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During the Cannes Film Festival, I dress comfortably

Of course, as a fashion journalist, I love fashion. During my first year at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014, like a good student, I packed my suitcase with dresses and high heels. Rookie mistake. When you’re a journalist, you go to Cannes to work (and believe me, you work a lot).

Working in Louboutin heels is just impossible. So, over the years, my wardrobe has changed, and while I still have a few dresses, I primarily wear basics of quiet luxury, flat ankle boots, or sandals depending on the trends, and a nice simple t-shirt paired with a blazer.

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I always bring a toiletry bag with me

My toiletry bag consists of a gloss and a concealer for makeup. The rest? A notebook, a pen, lavender essential oil (for stress), deodorant, eye drops (from writing quickly and a lot on the computer), and a spray water.

To manage fatigue, vitamin C and caffeine lozenges, and of course, a painkiller for the party aftermath.

Most importantly: a cable for my phone and a portable charger. It may not be glamorous, but it’s what I need for a peaceful workday at the Cannes Film Festival.

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Being close to PR is the best way to get interviews

When you work for an online media outlet other than a major newspaper, you sometimes have to negotiate to get interviews with famous actors or actresses. When you regularly see the PRs of the agencies managing the films in competition, you start to appreciate each other. After a few years in Cannes, I was able to secure interviews in beautiful hotels on the Croisette with casts from major films in competition. With work, kindness, and perseverance, you can achieve anything!

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The most sought-after parties don’t necessarily happen on the Croisette

There are plenty of parties on the Croisette, but the stars and the most influential personalities often meet away from the crowd. They leave in black chauffeur-driven cars to the heights of the city in large villas less known to the public where the real parties between TV personalities, influencers, and celebrities take place. I have to be honest, I haven’t done much more than one or two parties in a villa outside of Cannes. I wasn’t on the premium guest list with the biggest stars, but also, it’s very difficult to keep up with the intense festival pace, so most often, (okay, all the time), work came first and I tried to rest to start the marathon of films and interviews the next day.

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Fans are incredibly well-informed

I have to confess a secret, I worked for a long time for an agency that had a paparazzi branch. It’s far from being the most glamorous job. Between waiting in front of a hotel until 3 a.m., cold sandwiches at 12 euros hastily eaten at night, and action-movie-worthy chases on scooters to follow a celebrity’s car… the job is really exhausting. While I have never been a photographer, I have spent a lot of time with them and accompanied quite a few to parties to talk about it.

With social media, I realized that fans are becoming increasingly well-informed, sometimes better than the photographer!

While some celebrities do everything to escape the flashes of paparazzi, others use social media to share their locations and post regularly. As a result, ultra-connected fans have learned the addresses and sometimes, under the guise of providing information, give tips to photographers.

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I’ve learned to listen more than to speak

It’s better to be humble at the Cannes Film Festival because the person across from you has a 50% chance of being very wealthy or working for someone important. To avoid coming off as insecure or worse, arrogant, I’ve gotten into the habit of listening and encouraging people to open up rather than talking about myself.

Moreover, this attracts sympathy, whether the person you are speaking to is famous or not, it’s always rewarding for them to be listened to (and to be genuinely attentive) in this world where individualism and egocentrism sometimes border on madness.

Featured image: Cannes Film Festival

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