Cannes 2015: Robbie Williams and Ayda Field hit the red carpet midst controversy on the croisette

While British singer Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was the star draw at the Cannes film festival yesterday (15 May) Robbie Williams and wife Ayda Field attracted attention but for very different reasons.

It was revealed this week that Field is being sued by a former assistant, who claims he was subjected to a barrage of sexual harassment when he worked for the famous couple.

Gilles De Bonfilhs was fired from his position in January. According to the suit, the mother-of-two would allegedly walk around in various stages of undress, openly discuss her sex life and often ask him to comment on her body.

Although Williams is named as a defendant, De Bonfilhs has made no sexual harassment allegations against the former Take That star.

However, as the couple took to the red carpet they appeared unruffled by the recent negative press and were all smiles for the cameras.

The Angels singer sported a bleached blonde quiff, while Field wore a colourful, figure hugging dress. The pair played up for the paparazzi taking a twirl on the red carpet as they put their troubles aside.

Naomi Watts had to shake off the negative reaction to her film as she and co-star Mathew McConaughy walked the red carpet. A screening of festival favourite Gus Van Sant's new film The Sea of Trees was met with loud boos but Watts and a heavily bearded McConaughy faced the press head on.

It was something of a night for controversies on the Riviera with the screening of the Amy Winehouse documentary.

Directed by Asif Kapadia, whose documentary about the late F1 driver Ayrton Senna was a huge critical hit around the world, the film has been decried by the late singer's father and the Winehouse family have publicly withdrawn their support for the movie.

Mitch Winehouse has claimed the film presents an inaccurate portrait of his relationship with his daughter.

There was also a serious side to the festival as leading women in film took part in a closed conference about gender equality. Salma Hayek, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Parker Posey attended the Variety Celebration of UN Women at Radisson Blu.

Earlier at theWomen in Motion discussion presented by the Hollywood Reporter, Hayek spoke candidly about the problems she faced in Hollywood with sexism.

Returning to Cannes for the 14<sup>th time as a L'Oreal ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will make her 2015 appearance on the red carpet on 17 April and will attend the AMFar ball.

But while the controversies on the croisette waged on, the business of fashion continued as the stars turned out en masse for The Sea Of Trees' Premiere.

Making a fashion statement were L'Oreal ambassadors Jane Fonda and Bollywood star and fashion icon Sonam Kapoor. They both opted for royal blue gowns that were distinct and bold.

A film veteran, Fonda defied her years in a flattering dress with cutaways. Kapoor who is attending the festival for L'Oreal for the fifth consecutive year made an impact in a striking a blue gown with elaborate large bow details and a train.

Naomi Watts put the negative reaction to her movie behind her as she accompanied her director Gus Vant Sant on the red carpet. Wearing a delicate tiered grey dress, with flower motifs, the Australian actress looked effortlessly elegant.

Natalie Portman too showed off her toned down style in a statement chic dress as she attended the premiere of her film, A Tale Of Love And Darkness.

The actress was surrounded by her cast and crew as they walked the red carpet ahead of the screening of the film.

The 68th Cannes Film Festival officially opened on Wednesday (13 May) and runs until 24 May when the coveted Palme d'Or prize will be awarded to one of 19 films competing for top honours this year.