Rihanna doesn't just show up; she shifts the atmosphere. When she touched down in the French Riviera for the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, the world wasn't just looking for another red carpet dress. We were looking for a manifesto. This was the first time she’d been back at the festival in eight years, and honestly, the stakes felt different this time around. She wasn't just there as a global pop icon or a beauty mogul. She was there as a mother of two—soon to be three—supporting her partner, A$AP Rocky, at the premiere of his Spike Lee-directed thriller, Highest 2 Lowest.
What we got was a masterclass. Rihanna maternity style Cannes isn't about hiding a bump under layers of tulle or pretending the body hasn't changed. It's about architectural precision.
The Blue Alaïa Moment That Broke the Internet
The premiere of Highest 2 Lowest was already high-octane. It’s a Spike Lee joint starring Denzel Washington—you know the energy was electric. But when Rihanna stepped out in that custom cerulean (or "Smurf blue," as the fans quickly dubbed it) Alaïa gown, the movie almost became secondary.
The dress was a piece of engineering. It featured a high, halter-style neckline that felt regal, but the real magic was in the midsection. Sliced with deliberate, sculptural cut-outs, the fabric twisted into knots that framed her growing belly like a piece of art. It wasn't just a dress; it was a frame. She paired it with matching blue satin heels by Amina Muaddi and enough Boucheron diamonds to light up the entire Croisette.
Why the color mattered
Most people go for black or white at Cannes to stay "safe." Rihanna chose a shade of blue so vibrant it practically hummed against the rainy French backdrop.
It felt like a nod to her new musical era, too. Just days before, she’d released "Friend of Mine" for the new Smurfs movie soundtrack. Whether the color choice was a subtle marketing wink or just Rih being Rih, it worked. The look was finished with a tousled updo and a side bang that gave off a "just rolled out of a yacht" vibe that only she can pull off.
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Beyond the Red Carpet: The Brandon Maxwell Slay
If you think the red carpet was the end of it, you haven't been paying attention. The real Rihanna maternity style Cannes fans obsess over usually happens when the "official" cameras are off. Case in point: her dinner date at the Grande restaurant.
She wore a black jersey gown by Brandon Maxwell that, frankly, shouldn't have worked on anyone else. It was basically a one-shoulder bra top connected to a maxi skirt by the narrowest strip of fabric. The slit? It went all the way to her waist. It was a bold, borderline defiant move, especially with the festival's rumored "nudity" crackdowns.
- The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated confidence.
- The Details: An Alaïa structured clutch and clear heels.
- The Partner: A$AP Rocky in a sleek Saint Laurent suit, playing the perfect supporting role.
What People Get Wrong About Her Pregnancy Fashion
There’s this weird misconception that Rihanna is just "wearing small clothes." That’s a massive oversimplification.
If you look at the evolution from her first pregnancy with RZA in 2022 to this third one in 2025, there’s a clear trajectory. The first time was about shock and awe—the vintage Chanel pink puffer, the jewels on the bare skin. It was a revolution against the "maternity aisle."
This time? It feels more curated. More high-fashion.
During the 2025 Cannes run, we saw her move away from just "baring it all" to "shaping it all." The Alaïa look used ruffles and knots to create a silhouette that celebrated the bump without making it the only thing you saw. It’s a subtle shift from rebellion to mastery. Expert stylist Angela Kyte pointed out that Rihanna has essentially integrated pregnancy into her existing aesthetic rather than changing her style to accommodate the pregnancy. That’s a big distinction.
The Technical Breakdown of the "Cannes Glow"
You can’t talk about the clothes without the face. Fenty Beauty was clearly put to work. For the red carpet, her longtime makeup team opted for a metallic eye that picked up the silver undertones of her jewelry.
- Skin: It was all about the "Cannes glow"—heavy on the bronzer but kept fresh.
- Lips: A glossy nude lip that didn't compete with the blue of the dress.
- Hair: That updo wasn't just for style; it was practical for the humid, rainy weather that hit the festival that week.
Actionable Takeaways for Modern Maternity Styling
Look, most of us aren't walking the red carpet with A$AP Rocky. But the Rihanna maternity style Cannes playbook has real-world applications if you’re tired of the "oversized tent" look.
- Embrace the Cut-out: You don't need a full-belly window. Side cut-outs or keyhole details can provide breathing room and shape without feeling overexposed.
- Monochrome is Your Friend: Wearing one color from head to toe—like Rih’s blue-on-blue—elongates the silhouette and makes a bold statement with zero effort.
- Invest in Accessories: Rihanna’s outfits were often simple jersey or stretch fabrics. The "richness" came from the diamonds, the structured bags, and the killer heels.
- Ignore the Rules: If you want to wear a waist-high slit, wear it. The biggest lesson from Cannes 2025 was that the only person who needs to be comfortable with your body is you.
Rihanna’s third pregnancy has proven that she isn't just a trendsetter; she’s a genre-breaker. She’s officially ended the era where pregnancy was a time to "dress down" or "wait it out" fashion-wise. By the time the festival wrapped, one thing was clear: the world is still Rihanna's runway, and she's just letting us live in it.
To keep your own maternity wardrobe feeling fresh, focus on high-quality stretch fabrics that offer compression and shape. Look for "non-maternity" pieces with high elastane content—like the Brandon Maxwell jersey—which can often provide a more modern fit than traditional maternity wear. Focus on pieces that highlight your favorite features, whether that's a high leg slit or a sculptural neckline, to maintain your personal style identity throughout all three trimesters.
Next Steps for Your Style Evolution:
- Audit your current wardrobe for high-stretch jersey pieces that can be layered with structured blazers.
- Experiment with monochrome palettes in vibrant colors (like cobalt or emerald) to mimic the "Cannes" impact.
- Incorporate statement jewelry into your daily look to elevate simpler, comfortable maternity basics.