Why I think Joan Collins and Jane Fonda at the Cannes Film Festival 2026 are more stylish than 'younger' stars
Jane Fonda, Catherine Deneuve and Joan Collins wowed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival 2026.
In May 2024 I wrote an article for National World about how I believed the likes of Jane Fonda and Meryl Streep were teaching young Hollywood a lesson in style. This was demonstrated at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 and two years later Jane Fonda is once again proving my point.
Jane Fonda is 88 and wow does she look incredible, she looked utterly stylish in a Gucci gown at the Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony and The Electric Venus screening. Jane Fonda has previously told Forbes that “We need to revise how we think of aging,” and also said: “The old paradigm was: You're born, you peak at midlife, and then you decline into decrepitude. Looking at aging as ascending a staircase, you gain well-being, spirit, soul, wisdom, the ability to be truly intimate and a life with intention.”
Jane Fonda was not the only ‘older’ star at the Cannes Film Festival demonstrating true style. Joan Collins at 92, yes you did read that correctly, dazzled in a Stéphane Rolland white gown on the red carpet. French actress and style icon Catherine Deneuve also looked beyond chic in a forest-green outfit.
Joan Collins shared photographs of herself at the Cannes Film Festival on her Instagram and wrote: “Thank you @festivaldecannes for such a warm reception, thank you to @johngorestudios for being a wonderful host thank you @stephanerolland_paris for my GORGEOUS dress and thank you to my #glamsquad @chrissy.maddison and @alynwaterman for all the wonderful support - adieu and à la prochaine!”
In response, one fan wrote: “Dame Joan showing that she has still got it at 92 and always will have it . You looked beautiful Joan 👏,” whilst another said: “Dame Joan, you’re the best among the rest ✨ This was the most exciting to happen in this month of May. Which is a-MAY-zing ❤️ And it’s your birth month too 😍 a ONE PROUD MOMENT .”
Elizabeth Hurley even commented and said: “SENSATIONAL ❤️❤️❤️.”
I defy anyone to argue that Joan Collins, Jane Fonda and Catherine Deneuve looked anything less than sensational at the Cannes Film Festival and I would even go as far to say that they are more stylish than their younger counterparts.
The reason why I believe this is that I often think younger stars choose ‘naked’ style dresses to stand out, but I am of the opinion that they stand out for the wrong reasons. One of my favourite quotes is ‘Fashion fades, style is eternal’ which was by the acclaimed fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Style remains no matter what age you are, which was clearly demonstrated by Jane Fonda, Catherine Denuerve and Joan Collins at the Cannes Film Festival. Younger stars and their stylists would do well to look to them for inspiration next time they are planning their outfits for a red carpet event.