Lena situations, 27, creates surprise in Cannes: her first appearance already divides

The contrast was striking with the usual glamorous atmosphere of the festival. On a Croisette accustomed to glitter and XXL trains, the 27 -year -old influencer has chosen a minimalist garment, covering, almost strict in a context where the organizers had precisely decided to prohibit the outfits deemed “naked” or too large on the red carpet.

A The Row dress under the spotlight

The black outfit of Léna Mahfouf, sober but assumed, was radically sharp with the exuberant looks of the other guests. Designed by the New York label The RowFounded by the Olsen sisters, this piece seemed respectful of the new rules imposed by the festival: no more plunging necklines and XXL dragging dresses, sobriety is now in order.

But this new rule did not appease the spirits: on the contrary, Lena’s outfit was described as “disturbing”, even “ridiculous”, by certain Internet users. “Is she in Abaya?” Or “it looks like a priestess” can be read on X (ex-Twitter). Others are ironic: “Is this the new pope?” Or “she wanted us to talk about her, it’s successful.”

Léna did not officially react, but her fans took over. Many praised “the radical elegance” of the dress and the artistic approach behind this choice. On Instagram, her stories show it radiant and relaxed, far from the controversies that rumble on forums and comments.

A fashion climate at the Cannes Film Festival

This controversy comes as the 2025 Cannes Film Festival has strengthened its clothing rulesunder the pretext of logistics and decency. From now on, the dresses too “naked”, the trains too long, and the overly bulky hairstyles are discouraged, even prohibited.

For many, this conservative turn is a worrying signal. The red carpet, long considered as a space of creativity and visual expression, becomes a field of imposed standards. Léna’s dress, far from provocative in her cut, is perhaps in what she symbolizes: a refusal of the expected aesthetic compliance.

The festival management did not speak on this case, but several stylists present in Cannes expressed their concern. An Italian designer confided anonymously: “We are muzzling the bodies instead of celebrating them.”

Freedom to dress: a debate always pending

In 2025, the questions of Freedom of clothing And female representation remain central to public space, and the Cannes scene reflects it. If the choice of Léna Mahfouf was able to shock, he also made it possible to put a wider subject on the table: are women still free to dress as they understand, even when they respect the rules?

This is not the first time that Lena has been targeted on her appearance. Already in 2023, his silhouette had aroused grossophobic criticism after a rise in the steps in Vivienne Westwood. This time, it’s the opposite: his body is hidden, and yet it still disturbs.

Behind the glitter of the largest film festival in the world, one thing is certain: the spotlights are not only on films. They also enlighten, unaware, the injunctions that weigh on bodies, women, and their freedom to exist as they understand it.

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