Cannes Lions Lewks
Creative credibility reigned supreme this week at Cannes Lions, the big marketing conference that drew more than 13,000 marketers, creators, celebrities, and tech professionals in France.
And as many attendees floated between brand activations on the beach, panels — whether attending or participating — walking the very hot Croisette during a heat wave, and dealmaking, they also dressed with intention.
At a conference like this, signaling status and approachability mean just as much as how you're courting investors, pitching advertisers, and negotiating sponsorships.
I was on the ground, pounding the pavement (my feet are surely paying the price) to hand-pick those who stood out above the rest. The ones who caught my eye all had a few things in common. If you're looking to pack with confidence next year, here's how they won the style award during Cannes Lions.
- They embraced color: Under the sun-searing skies, popping on hues that mimic the Mediterranean sunset and sky just work. That's oranges, yellows, vibrant reds, and even cerulean blue. Yes, that one from "The Devil Wears Prada."
- They prioritized accessories: Sunglasses are a must in Cannes, and our selects had eye-catching choices. Still, others also picked up lapel flowers, neck scarves, and hair ribbons.
- They didn't skip the bag: Most folks I stopped had a statement bag that completed their look. Whether it was designers like Chanel, Hermes, or Louis Vuitton, it wasn't the label that made it work. It was the vibe, as most chose natural colors or fabrics like rattan.
And if you want to catch up on everything you missed at Cannes Lions, including the raging parties that often went until 4 in the morning, subscribe to BI's CMO Newsletter.
Joi-Marie McKenzie is the editor in chief of the Life team at Business Insider, overseeing entertainment, real estate, lifestyle, health, parenting, and relationships coverage.Previously, she worked for nearly a decade in network news at NBC and ABC, along with Good Morning America, where she earned an Emmy Award. McKenzie was also a senior entertainment editor at Essence magazine and deputy editor of entertainment at Insider.While serving as deputy editor of entertainment at Insider (now known as Business Insider), McKenzie earned several journalism awards and recognition from the Los Angeles Press Club, GLAAD Media Awards, along with the National Magazine Awards. She was also nominated for the editor executive of the year in 2022 by the Drum Awards.The fifth-generation writer and editor has moderated conversations with A-list celebrities for The Paley Center for Media, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and Barnes and Noble in New York City.McKenzie has written two books, both released by Hachette. Her first was a critically-acclaimed memoir titled "The Engagement Game," and she also wrote "The Pursuit of Porsha," the memoir of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Porsha Williams.McKenzie also sits on the board of Color Vision, an organization that helps, educates, and informs women of color in creative fields.Email her at [email protected].
