The Oscars are supposed to be the movie industry's night of nights, but this year the red carpet fashion was far more impressive at Cannes. US, French and international stars went all-out with the ruffles and froufrou at the film festival's opening night with some more daring designs than the simple and safe fashion choices that often leave us snoring on Oscars night.

Cate Blanchett stood out from the crowd with a silver eagle-adorned Alexander McQueen dress. Eva Longoria dragged half her body weight up the red carpet in a ruffled Pucci wedding-style train, and Kate Beckinsale had fashion critics divided with her super-fluffy Marchesa frock and beehive 'do. "It looks as if a baby chick has hatched and hitched a lift in all those ruffles and feathers," scoffed a French observer on the red carpet.