Backless dresses enjoy a moment at Cannes

Forget plunging necklines and thigh-high splits: the red carpet trend of the moment is a backless dress -- at least, if the celebrity looks coming out of the Cannes Film Festival are anything to go by.

The backless gown, which is slightly edgier and more fashion forward than a traditional, low-cut dress, has been spotted on several big names over the past few days.

Notably, the look has been championed by Hollywood star and Jury President Cate Blanchett, who opened this year's festival in a lacy, backless Giorgio Armani Privé number, before wowing the crowds on Monday night in a tiered creation from Givenchy. 

Supermodels Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner have also been promoting the backless trend, with Hadid taking to the red carpet on Monday in a revealing silver halter neck gown that fastened at her lower back, and Jenner sporting a white semi-sheer creation that left her back almost completely bare.

Elsewhere, French star Marion Cotillard put a playful spin on the trend by donning a blue and green gingham dress on May 12, while designer Kimberley Garner kept things ethereal in a backless full-length, white gown at the Fashion For Relief Cannes 2018 event on May 13.