Vintage Cannes: See 16 stunning moments from the chicest film festival of them all

Cannes Film Festival is one of the coolest events on the calendar and these stunning vintage pictures are a sharp reminder why. From Brigitte Bardot to Sophia Loren and Kate Moss; Cary Grant to David Bowie: check out some of the fine faces and fashion that really gave Cannes its kudos.

Brigitte Bardot, 1953 Brigitte Bardot is the quintessential Cannes girl, and the star most often associated with the festival’s icon-loaded history. Pictured here in 1953 she’s just 19 and looks more the aspiring ballerina she once was than the mind-blowing sex symbol and icon she would become.

Sophia Loren, 1955 Sophia Loren was one of Hollywood’s most striking, unusual beauties and in 1955 she was well on the way to Hollywood-superstardom. She’s pictured here at the 8th Cannes Festival where she was apparently the most photographed woman that year. Beautiful. 

Grace Kelly, 1955 Grace Kelly: Hollywood’s good-girl and soon-to-be bona fide princess pictured here in 1955, pre-Prince Rainier and fresh from her Best Actress Oscar win for her stunning performance in The Country Girl. Can we just spare a mention for those incredibly stylish trousers too... 

Elizabeth Taylor, 1957 Elizabeth Taylor’s bling is all you can look at in this picture, taken at Cannes in 1957. The tiara, a gift from her third husband (and reported true love) Mike Todd, sold at auction in 2011 for a whopping $4,226,500. Seriously. 

Cary Grant and Kim Novak, May 1959 Cary Grant and Kim Novak, pictured here in 1959 having a very Hitchcock moment: Novak had starred in the iconic Vertigo the year before, whilst Cary Grant has just wrapped on North By Northwest. Safe to say Cary Grant is the best-dressed man of all time. 

Marcello Mastroianni, May 1960 The super-stylish film La Dolce Vita won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1960. The film’s star Marcello Mastroianni, pictured here, didn’t do much else of note but he sure looked good doing what he did. 

Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty, 1963 Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty sure made a beautiful couple – while it lasted. The pair hooked up after they filmed 1961’s Splendor in the Grass together. Watch it and try and deny there's something going on off screen.

Catherine Deneuve and David Bailey, 1966 1966 was London’s year. Representing the cool Brits at Cannes was star snapper David Bailey, pictured with his then wife (and very fabulous) Catherine Deneuve. 

Anita Pallenberg and Keith Richards, 1967 When the rock stars descend, you know your gig has got some kudos. Rolling Stone Keith Richards with cool-girl Anita Pallenberg at Cannes in 1967: case in point. 

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, 1969 & 1971 Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg: she was beautiful; he was not but together they were achingly cool. So much so they deserve two pictures...

John Lennon And Yoko Ono, 1971 Even John Lennon hit Cannes. Here he’s pictured at the airport with Yoko Ono, en route to the festival in 1971. 

David Bowie, May 1978 David Bowie at Cannes. Just cool. 

Jerry Hall and Helmut Newton, 1983 Jerry Hall hadn’t quite hit the big time (although she had dated Brian and met Mick) when she was snapped here at Cannes in 1983. She was firmly on fashion’s radar: that’s legendary photographer Helmut Newton she’s sitting with. 

Eva Herzigova, 1996 Hello boys indeed. Eva Herzigova did what she did best at Cannes in 1996: worked it for the cameras, causing a stir in the process. The photographer she's posing here for (yes, just one) is Helmut Newton. 

Kate Moss and Johnny Depp, 1998. More words needed? Nah.