The film festival’s opening gala certainly didn’t scrimp on glitz and glamour…

It’s now in its 70th year – but the Cannes Film Festival is only getting better with age.

The annual cinematic celebration, this year held in the south of France from May 17 to 28, never fails to draw in stars of the silver screen, from both behind and in front of the camera.

This year is no different, with actresses including Jessica Chastain, Uma Thurman, Julianne Moore and Marion Cotillard walking the red carpet at the festival’s opening night, along with famed director Pedro Almodóvar.

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Models Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski and Hailey Baldwin were also in attendance, dressed in silken sheaths that have grabbed headlines around the globe.

However two of the night’s most critically acclaimed looks came courtesy of two designers rather close to home.

Chinese actress – and Cannes 2017 jury member – Fan Bingbing wore a theatrical caped gown by Lebanese label Elie Saab, featuring an artfully ruched bodice and bronze belt.

fan bingbing

The ethereal number has featured in many fashion critics’ best looks of the night (including ours, for its otherworldly blend of Grace Kelly-esque elegance with almost medieval warrior-like grandeur).

Victoria’s Secret supermodel Sara Sampaio also selected a Lebanese designer for opening night, donning a theatrical scarlet floor-sweeper by Zuhair Murad.

Sara Sampaio cannes

With its plunging neckline and firework-inspired beading, the sophisticated showstopper seemed to turn many a head on the red carpet.

Glimmering embellishments were popular on the night, with Elie Saab also kitting out French actress (and Venetian princess) Clotilde Courau in this romantic tulle number.

Based on opening night, we can’t wait to see what else is sartorially in store for the next 10 days.

In the meantime, we’ll leave you with the best of the rest of the red carpet looks from yesterday…

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Bella Hadid in Alexandre Vauthier

Lily-Rose Depp in Chanel

Emily Ratajkowski in Twinset

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Elle Fanning in Vivienne Westwood

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Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

Julianne Moore in Givenchy Haute Couture

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Naomie Harris in Gucci

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Marion Cotillard in Paul Gaultier Couture

#lesfantomesdismael #ismaelsghosts #arnauddesplechin #cannes2017 📸@eliottbliss

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Uma Thurman in Atelier Versace

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Images: Getty