Fashion frenzy on the Croisette as the Cannes Film Festival kicks off

Zhang Ziyi, in a geometric, cascading Stephane Rolland dress, is ready to rock a space-age opera. -- PHOTO: AFP
Zhang Ziyi, in a geometric, cascading Stephane Rolland dress, is ready to rock a space-age opera. -- PHOTO: AFP
Model Karlie Kloss is wearing nothing - a Valentino dress which is essentially swathes of nothing. -- PHOTO: AFP
Model Laetitia Casta, in Christian Dior, looks like a lovely sea anemone. -- PHOTO: EPA
Blake Lively steps out in high style, in a silk chiffon burgundy Gucci dress with a thigh-high slit. -- PHOTO: EPA
Jane Fonda brings back va-va-voom in a beaded, cinched-waist red Elie Saab dress. -- PHOTO: AFP
Dear Gong Li, Roberto Cavalli is not your friend. Not when he dressed you in such a mumsy black gown. -- PHOTO: AFP
Nicole Kidman and Paz Vega sparkle at the opening of Cannes on Wednesday. Kidman is a princess out of Disney’s Frozen in an intricate, jewelled blue Armani dress, crowning the look with a Elsa-worthy side braid. Vega is in a beaded white Elie Saab midi. -- PHOTO: EPA

It would not be Cannes without the savage critics, the howling press pack and the film-mad fans.

The first victim at the opening of the 12-day feeding frenzy was Grace Of Monaco, the biopic starring Nicole Kidman in the titular role and Tim Roth as Prince Rainier. You can judge for yourself from the trailer.

Doubtless there will be more media mauling to come as 19 directors compete for the prestigious Palme d'Or award and dozens more compete for the limelight on the Croisette.

But what we really want to see is who wore what on the red carpet. So we're keeping track with this red carpet watch which will be updated regularly with the fashion wins and flops of the film season. Check back for regular updates.

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