France's most glamorous event of the year, the Cannes Film Festival, got the fashion world talking for its 70th edition, with a host of sheath dresses, mermaid gowns and imposing creations.

The 2017 edition was big on glamorous but refined, almost understated looks, often in discreet pastel hues (pale pink, nude, beige). Black and white made their big comeback in new, more glamorous styles. Glittering embellishments were seen in discreet touches, and a smattering of sheer fabrics brought a touch of sexy sensuality to the Cannes red carpet.

Black is back
Channeling subtle style, glamor and French elegance, black made its big comeback on the Cannes red carpet this year, much to the delight of fashion fans. Sheath dresses and long gowns in the deepest of blacks took the red carpet by storm, proving popular among the actresses, filmmakers and models at the Riviera festival.

The black gowns at Cannes 2017 included Laetitia Casta's velvet Saint Laurent number with a seductive slit and Lottie Moss's strapless mini dress with a long train by Redemption Couture. Meanwhile Susan Sarandon stepped out in a black leather skirt and Jessica Chastain sported a dual-fabric Alexander McQueen gown with embroidery detail. Black is most definitely back, and chicer than ever.

Other attendees picked black dresses that were entirely or semi-transparent, embodying the height of Cannes glamor. This trend was rocked by Emily Ratajkowski (Peter Dundas), Mary J. Blige (Reem Acra), Charlize Theron (Christian Dior), Laetitia Casta (Christian Dior), Diane Kruger (Jason Wu) and Irina Shayk (Balmain).

White hot
Even more than black -- a Cannes red carpet classic -- white reigned supreme on the Croisette strip. The chic shade stood out as the most glamorous "color" of the festival, whether worn head to toe or matched with touches of gold.

White was the color of choice for Lily-Rose Depp, who channeled Greek goddess style in her Chanel Cruise 2018 gown, as well as for Elle Fanning in an imposing Vivienne Westwood creation, Adriana Lima in an ultra-sexy Naeem Khan strapless number, Lily Donaldson in a see-through Dior dress, Lily Collins in a floaty, shimmering Ralph & Russo creation, and Sara Sampaio in a see-through Francesco Sognamiglio dress. Rihanna also turned heads in an imposing white gown from Dior Haute Couture.

Shimmer and shine
No Cannes Film Festival would be complete without its share of glitter, sequins and other shimmering details. But these were seen in small touches this year, used for discreet embellishments on gowns finished in nude, gold or black shades. For the closing ceremony, Juliette Binoche wore a sumptuous shimmering Giorgio Armani Privé dress, and Uma Thurman shone in an Atelier Versace creation with gold fringing and embellishments. Glittering details also shone on Monica Bellucci's golden Chanel gown, Marion Cotillard's sublime Armani Privé dress, Nicole Kidman's silver Rodarte dress, and Sara Sampaio's stunning Armani Privé jumpsuit.