The Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off its 2017 run on Wednesday, i an exclusive, invitation-only film festival that started in 1946.
The Cannes festival, which takes place every year on the French Riviera, has changed a lot over the years. It’s primarily about the films, but over the past few decades, it’s evolved into one of the biggest occasions for fashion, and celebrities have walked its red carpet in some iconic looks. But it wasn’t always so fashion-focused.
Business Insider talked to Getty Images‘ Director of Digital Archives Bob Ahern about the progression of Cannes from film festival to one of the glamorous, star-filled occasion of the entire year, and Getty provided some images from the fest’s history.
Getty Images photographers have been covering Cannes for over 20 years. Getty also has one of the world’s largest collections of archival Cannes imagery, which dates back to the very first festival in 1946. Throughout this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Getty will have a team of 80 people, which includes photographers and videographers, social-media experts, picture editors, assignment editors, and technicians.
Here are stunning photos of stars from the Cannes Film Festival over the years and how it’s evolved:
Slim Aarons/Getty Images
Two bikini-clad holidaymakers enjoy a glass of wine outside the Carlton Hotel, Cannes.
Keystone/Stringer/Getty Images
6th April 1954: British actress Simone Silva (1928 - 1957) posing topless with the American star Robert Mitchum (1917 - 1997) during the Cannes film festival. Having been elected 'Miss Festival', Simone Silva was asked to leave the festival after her semi-nude pose which resulted in one photographer breaking his arm and another his leg in the rush for pictures.Ahern pointed out that this scandalous image of Simone Silver was a good example of stars becoming more candid in front of the public eye.
Patrick Morin/RDA/Getty Images
American actor Kirk Douglas and French actress Brigitte Bardot (centre) at the beach during the Cannes Film Festival, April 1953.
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
FRANCE - APRIL 01: The French Star Brigitte Bardot Strolling On The Beach Of Cannes During The Cannes Film Festival, On April 1956.
John Chillingworth/Stringer/Getty Images
English actress Diana Dors (1931-1984) and Ginger Rogers (1911-1995) are mobbed by fans at the Cannes International Film Festival, France.It's also his favourite photo in the collection.
ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images
Sophia Loren, April 1955Here's a private moment with the legendary Sophia Loren.
Lefebrve/ullstein bild via Getty Images
Keystone/Getty Images
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the film actor who first became famous as Mr Universe for his magnificent physique, on Cannes beach during the Film Festival with the girls from the Folies Bergere.
Dave Hogan/Getty Images
Actress Madonna arrives for the premiere of her film 'In Bed with Madonna' (known in the United States as 'Madonna: Truth or Dare') in 1991 at the Cannes Film Festival, France.Ahern also said that the Cannes dress code is 'buttoned-up and very strict,' so for Madonna to come to Cannes in this outfit was a 'breathtaking moment.'
Keystone/Stringer/Getty Images
1999: Actress Faye Dunaway poses for a portrait shoot at Cannes Film Festival, France.
Francois Durand/Getty Images
Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett attend the Premiere of 'Carol' during the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2015 in Cannes, France.
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