The 2025 César Film Awards took place in Paris on Friday night, and while the unofficial dress code seems to be “wear black or else,” a few bold stars dared to break free from the sea of noir. From impeccably tailored menswear-inspired looks to ethereal embellishments and pops of unexpected colour, the fashion was a delightful mix of classic French elegance and modern edge.
Here’s a roundup of the rest of the standout looks from the night.
Effortlessly Cool
Emmanuelle Béart will always be one of the coolest women on the planet (alongside Rihanna, naturally). The French actress has that certain je ne sais quoi, and this custom AMI Paris off-white wool tailored coat with matching trousers, paired with a pale pink shirt and tie, only solidifies her status. Is it a little oversized? Yes, but that’s the point—it’s on-trend, intentional, and oozes Parisian nonchalance. For me, she was easily the best dressed of the night.
Celestial Elegance in Celine
Anaïs Demoustier’s love affair with Celine continued as she stepped onto the red carpet in a navy caped gown adorned with embellishments, giving the look a celestial feel. Considering there was an actual planetary parade in the sky last night, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Coincidence? Maybe. Chic? Absolutely.
Understated Minimalism
Bérénice Bejo hasn’t always been a minimalist, but time and personal style evolve, and now she’s embracing simplicity. She opted for a pleated black dress that kept things sleek and understated. The only real eye-catcher? The necklace, which added just the right amount of sparkle to an otherwise pared-back ensemble.
Timeless Power Dressing
Catherine Deneuve reminded us why she remains an icon in a Saint Laurent tuxedo jacket, maxi skirt, and an embroidered top, layered under a black animal-free coat. Pomellato jewelry added the finishing touch, proving once again that elegance never goes out of style.
A Saint Laurent Flashback
Is Élodie Bouchez’s Saint Laurent lace dress with ribbon accents giving you déjà vu? You’re not alone. It closely resembles the dress Zoe Kravitz wore to the 2018 Met Gala, though this version is noticeably more covered-up along the sides. No surprises here as Anthony Vaccarello has been diving into the Saint Laurent archives this season, reworking past designs for the woman of the moment, Zoe Saldana.
The Pop of colour we needed
The night belonged to those who opted to wear a non-black AMI Paris looks, and Leïla Bekhti was one of them. Her custom lime green duchess satin dress, featuring intricate stitching and raw-edged finishes at the front, was already a statement piece—but then she took it up a notch with a long, double-breasted tailored coat in the same eye-catching hue. Against a backdrop of mostly black gowns, she was an instant standout.
Burgundy Beauty
Mallory Wanecque looked beautiful in this burgundy Dior dress embellished with delicate details. The rich colour and soft shimmer added a romantic touch to the evening.
Another High-Low Moment
High-low hemlines had their moment on this red carpet, thanks to Zoe Saldana and Souheila Yacoub. The latter graced the event in a one-shoulder velvet Balenciaga dress that exuded drama and sophistication. Now, while I’m still holding a grudge against Demna for putting Michelle Yeoh in that hideous dress-made-of-jackets at the Critics’ Choice Awards, I have to admit that Souheila’s look was a major step in the right direction.
With a mix of timeless tailoring, refined minimalism, and bold pops of colour, the 2025 César Film Awards delivered a night of quietly luxurious French fashion, as expected. Who was your favourite from this roundup?
Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
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