Cannes red carpet also a showcase for fashion dares

The Cannes film festival is synonymous with 'anything goes chic'. It is the red carpet where the most beautiful women on the planet can give free reign to their creative expression both on a professional and aesthetic level. When stars come to Cannes, anything can happen from red carpet shocker to fully-fledged re-invention.

Cannes is the one place where the world's leading ladies dare to pull off otherwise unimaginable clothes and hairstyles, kick off their shoes à la Julia Roberts, or 'accidentally on purpose' expose parts of themselves that they wouldn't usually let the paparazzi reach.

The event would not be complete without its diva-esque photocall moments, which often verge on the surreal.

All-time master in the art of sensational red carpet dressing, Rihanna positively owned the floor with a bridal-inspired taffetta silk gown by Dior -- and a touch of school mistress cool thanks to a pair of half-moon 'Ojala' shades by Andy Wolf. Her look, styled by Mel Ottenberg for the "Okja" premiere, gives new meaning to 'specs appeal'.

Nobody does maximalist glam like Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The Times of India perfectly summed up her first appearance at Cannes this year as "like a princess straight out of Disney." The festival regular stepped out in a fairytale-like powder blue Cinderella gown by Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

Shamelessly embracing the dress-up theme, for her second appearance -- Aishwarya effortlessly morphed from belle of the ball into flamenco dancer in a fiery red multi-tiered ruffled dress by Ralph & Russo.

Nor did the star seem to care about breaking the 'red on red' faux-pas of clashing with the red carpet.

Also fighting in the red corner... US model and official face of Dior make-up Bella Hadid decided to only get out of bed for Bulgari diamonds ...and a quilted Dior dress. Or did she actually manage to part with the bedspread?

Chanel sweetheart and actress turned director/screenwriter Kristen Stewart rocked a dramatic bleach-blonde buzz cut. She wore a glam grunge-defining nude bandeau top, tweed and killer heels at the "120 Beats Per Minute" premiere.

Celebrity news website JustJared saluted the star for 'glamming up in Chanel' and sporting 'fierce new hair' while Harper's Bazaar termed her wardrobe choice "just as unique is she is— which is to say very unique".

Last but by no means least, Pamela Anderson made a timely Cannes comeback - with the return of all things 90s in fashion. The former "Baywatch" star proved her days as bathing 'Barbie doll' beauty are well and truly over. French society magazine Gala dubbed the star "unrecognizable" and "nothing like a bimbo" -- as she stunned in a figure-hugging black dress by English designer and fellow animal rights and environmental activist, Vivienne Westwood.