Berluti’s Quiet Command of the Red Carpet

The tuxedo has a strict set of rules. For men on the red carpet, the challenge is not to reinvent formalwear, but to master it. At the 51st César Awards, the annual celebration of French cinema, Berluti demonstrated that mastery through a series of carefully executed looks that prioritized fit, material, and classic form.

The approach was most visible on the night’s big winner. Laurent Lafitte, who took home the César for Best Actor 2026, wore a navy blue shawl collar tuxedo. Last year’s Best Actor, Karim Leklou, chose a black wool and satin version with the same soft-shouldered silhouette. Actor Antoine Reinartz opted for a peak lapel tuxedo, a sharper but equally traditional choice. All three men wore classic black silk bow ties and grounded their looks with Alessandro Demesure leather oxfords. The message was one of consistency.

The Grammar of Formality

In an arena often defined by attempts at viral disruption, Berluti’s presence felt rooted in something more permanent. The focus was on the fundamentals of tailoring. The cut of the jacket, the drape of the trousers, and the unmistakable patina of the shoes became the main story. There were no distracting gimmicks or forced attempts at rebellion. The elegance came from the execution itself.

This philosophy extended to others dressed by the Maison. Benjamin Lavernhe, the master of ceremonies, wore a midnight blue patina suit, while Brazilian director Kléber Mendonça Filho, a nominee for Best Foreign Film, appeared in a sharp navy tuxedo. Each look adhered to the formal language of the event, reinforcing the idea that for certain occasions, the most powerful statement is an understanding of tradition.

Beyond the Tuxedo

The red carpet, however, only tells part of the story. While the Césars showcased Berluti’s command of formalwear, the house’s current collections reveal a much wider vocabulary. The same attention to material and form is being applied to the rest of a man’s wardrobe, far from the lights of an awards ceremony.

The new Shadow Sneaker is a clear example. It combines technical knit fabric with panels of Venezia leather, offered in colorways like Stone Denim that feel both contemporary and considered. It takes the craft associated with the brand’s dress shoes and applies it to a more casual, everyday object. Similarly, pieces like the Un Jour Overshirt in Cloudy Blue cotton use subtle leather details on the zip-pullers, a quiet nod to the house’s heritage in leather goods.

This breadth extends to accessories. The Un Jour De Poche messenger bag in Bleu Brume leather and the Dove Blue leather baseball cap are not designed for formal events. They are designed for life. They suggest a brand that is equally concerned with how a man looks on a Tuesday afternoon as it is with how he appears at a gala.

Ultimately, the Césars appearance and the new collection pieces are two sides of the same coin. One demonstrates a respect for occasion, the other an understanding of modern life. A complete wardrobe requires both.

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