Joan Collins brought full Alexis Carrington glamour to the 2026 Cannes Film Festival red carpet this week.
The Dynasty legend, who turns 93 on May 23, arrived Tuesday, May 12, for the opening ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France wearing a dramatic white gown with oversized sculptural ruffles, long black gloves and dazzling diamond jewelry.
As photographers crowded the famous Cannes red carpet, Collins posed confidently in the eye-catching look, which instantly reminded many fans of the luxurious style made famous by her iconic Dynasty character Alexis Carrington during the 1980s.
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The actress completed the look with sparkling chandelier earrings, a diamond necklace and bold glam makeup, while her signature dark updo added even more old Hollywood drama to the appearance.
Collins attended the opening ceremony and screening of La Vénus Electrique (The Electric Kiss), a French romantic comedy directed by Pierre Salvadori that was chosen to launch this year’s festival. The 79th Cannes Film Festival also welcomed stars including Jane Fonda, Demi Moore, Bella Hadid, Eva Longoria and jury president Park Chan-wook.
The legendary actress has remained a red carpet fixture well into her 90s while continuing to work steadily in film and television. Collins recently appeared in The Gentle Sex and is also attached to the upcoming film My Duchess, in which she portrays Wallis Simpson.
Simpson was the American socialite whose relationship with King Edward VIII triggered one of the biggest royal scandals of the 20th century. Edward ultimately abdicated the British throne in order to marry her in 1937, paving the way for his younger brother, George VI, to become king and eventually for George’s daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, to ascend to the throne.
Ahead of Cannes, Collins also spoke with Deadline about preparing for the festival’s famous red carpet. “I thought I want to just be able to get on the red carpet and not be a lump,” she joked, revealing she had been taking dance lessons before the event. Collins also reflected on her long career, telling the outlet, “I don’t consider myself a film star. I consider myself a working actress.”
Best known worldwide for her role as the ruthless and glamorous Alexis Carrington on Dynasty, Collins became one of television’s defining stars during the show’s peak in the 1980s. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award and helped transform Alexis into one of the most recognizable characters in TV history.
Even decades later, Collins still knows exactly how to command a red carpet entrance, especially at an event as famously glamorous as Cannes.
