Cate Blanchett

And we're off…. Hours before the opening ceremony and the screening of Asghar Farhadi’s Spanish language Todos lo saben, starring the high voltage husband-and-wife team of Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, the Competition Jury press conference signaled the 71st Cannes Film Festival is officially underway.

In this patterned Dior, Cate Blanchett embodies what sets her apart as an Icon of Style. Click through the gallery and discover 13 reasons why we care about Cate.

What makes a style icon? Designer: GilThere are many people who draw attention on the red carpet, but when someone is effortlessly elegant, without being a slave to trends, when they push the envelope, yet always appear immaculate, when their choices are timeless – that’s style. Designer: Givenchy Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier CoutureWhy is Cate Blanchett our first style icon?Her style is her own.

Sofia Coppola celebrated her 43rd birthday a day late (because of opening night) in a restaurant on the Croisette with fellow jury members Leila Hatami, ex-Bondgirl Carole Bouquet, Willem Dafoe and president Jane Campion. The only woman to have ever won the Palme d’Or, Campion was very vocal about the lack of women behind the camera: “I think you’d have to say there’s some inherent sexism in the industry.

Hipster Leo Two time Golden Globe winner Leonardo Di Caprio has just picked up another, but somewhat less prestigious, award. He has been named Best Hipsterised Celebrity following a contest among 160,000 designers to transform their favourite movies stars into trendy hipsters.