The Ultimate Style File: Unpacking Simona Tabasco's Viral Red Lanvin Gown At Cannes

As of December 12, 2025, Italian actress Simona Tabasco remains one of the most exciting breakout fashion stars of the decade, largely thanks to her role in The White Lotus and a string of show-stopping red carpet appearances. While she has delivered numerous noteworthy looks, one moment—a striking crimson gown—cemented her status as a global style icon, generating immense search volume and curiosity: the legendary red dress.

The garment in question is a custom creation that captured the essence of classic Hollywood glamour while maintaining a modern, audacious edge. This deep dive unpacks the history, the designer, and the intricate details of the dress that broke the internet, alongside a look at the actress's complete biography and burgeoning fashion evolution.

Simona Tabasco: A Brief Biography & Career Snapshot

Simona Tabasco’s rise to global fame was swift and undeniable, largely propelled by the international success of an HBO series. However, her career began much earlier in her native Italy. Understanding her background provides context for the confident, vibrant style she now projects on the world stage.

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• Full Name: Simona Tabasco
• Date of Birth: April 5, 1994
• Age (as of 2025): 31
• Native Place: Naples, Campania, Italy
• Occupation: Actress
• Education: She attended the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome.
• Breakthrough Role (Italian): Tabasco first gained recognition for her role as Tea Perez in the 2014 neo-noir film Perez.
• International Breakthrough: Lucia Greco in the second season of the HBO black comedy-drama series The White Lotus (2022). Her performance as the quick-witted, ambitious Sicilian sex worker earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase.
• Notable Awards/Nominations: She received an Emmy nomination for her role in The White Lotus, further solidifying her status.
• Collaborators: She often appears alongside her The White Lotus co-star, Beatrice Grannò (who played Mia), with the duo frequently being tapped for major fashion campaigns, including a viral Skims campaign.

Tabasco's journey from Italian cinema to the global red carpet circuit has made her one of the most sought-after faces in fashion. The transition saw her embrace a glamorous, high-fashion aesthetic, culminating in the red dress moment that became instantly iconic.

The Iconic Red Dress: Dissecting the Lanvin Masterpiece at Cannes 2023

The search for "Simona Tabasco red dress" overwhelmingly points to one spectacular look: the custom Lanvin gown she wore to the premiere of Jeanne du Barry and the opening ceremony of the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2023. This ensemble was a masterclass in classic European elegance blended with contemporary sex appeal.

The Custom Lanvin Design

The gown was a custom creation by the historic French fashion house, Lanvin, and was a bold choice that perfectly suited the high-octane glamour of the Cannes Film Festival.

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• Color and Fabric: The dress was a striking, bold red, a color that commanded attention against the famous Croisette red carpet. The material featured intricate lace embellishments, adding texture and a sense of delicate drama to the powerful silhouette.
• Silhouette: The design was a backless, column-style gown that flowed into a dramatic, cascading train. The backless cut was the key feature, providing a sophisticated flash of skin that elevated the look from merely beautiful to truly breathtaking. The long, sweeping train added the necessary formality for the prestigious event.
• Styling: Tabasco was styled by the renowned Mimi Cuttrell, who is known for dressing some of Hollywood's most fashionable stars. The simplicity of the styling allowed the magnificent gown to remain the focal point.
• Jewelry: The look was completed with exquisite pieces from Chopard, a perennial partner of the Cannes Film Festival. The choice of high jewelry provided the final touch of luxury, sparkling against the crimson fabric.

This red Lanvin gown was universally praised by fashion critics, who noted its perfect marriage of Italian sensuality and French haute couture. It was a pivotal moment, officially transitioning Tabasco from a breakout TV star to a bona fide international style icon.

Beyond the Red Gown: Simona Tabasco's Style Evolution and Other Viral Looks

While the Lanvin red dress is her most searched-for look, Simona Tabasco has consistently delivered high-fashion moments that demonstrate her range, her willingness to take risks, and her deep connection to the fashion world. Her style evolution is characterized by vibrant colors, playful silhouettes, and an embrace of both established luxury houses and avant-garde design.

The Marni Floral Masterpiece at the Emmy Awards

One of her most talked-about looks was worn to the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards (delayed and held in January 2024). While not a pure red dress, this custom Marni gown was a colorful, artistic statement that showed her playful side.

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• The Design: The dress was an hourglass silhouette, featuring a voluminous skirt and a fitted bodice.
• The Details: What made it unique was the vibrant, two-dimensional look created by a collage of hand-sewn, graphic florals meticulously applied to the fabric. The dress was an eye-popping, brightly-colored frock that stood out against the sea of traditional gowns, reflecting a more artistic, runway-ready aesthetic.
• The Impact: This look proved that Tabasco was not afraid of high-concept fashion, embracing Marni’s avant-garde sensibilities while still looking effortlessly chic.

The Met Gala Moment with Zac Posen for Gap

Further demonstrating her influence and topical authority in the fashion sphere, Tabasco was reportedly among the stars involved in the highly publicized 2024 Met Gala appearance for Zac Posen's collection for Gap. This collaboration was significant as it merged high fashion with accessible retail, showcasing her ability to be at the forefront of major cultural fashion conversations. Although the most prominent Zac Posen for Gap dress that year was a white Rococo-style gown, her association with the event underscores her position as a muse for designers looking to make a splash.

The 'White Lotus Effect' on Fashion

Simona Tabasco's rise is part of a larger phenomenon dubbed the "White Lotus Effect," where the show's breakout stars instantly become fashion darlings. Along with Beatrice Grannò, she has been a fixture at major events like Paris Fashion Week and Milan Menswear Week, sitting front row for brands like Giambattista Valli and JW Anderson.

Her fashion choices—from the dramatic, sensual custom Lanvin red gown to the playful, artistic Marni floral dress—highlight a sophisticated understanding of how to use clothing to amplify her personal brand. She consistently chooses looks that are memorable, often utilizing powerful colors and unique textures to convey confidence and glamour, solidifying her reputation as a true style icon for the modern era.