Pop Culture Recap: Robert De Niro received an honorary Palme d’Or, Gucci unveiled its Cruise 2026 collection in Florence.

From iconic celebrations and creative showcases to innovative product launches and highly anticipated tours, there has been a lot that grabbed people’s attention all around the world. Here’s a brief recap of some of the most talked-about pop culture moments this week.

Robert De Niro Honored at Cannes 2025

At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, which took place from May 13 to May 24, 2025, legendary actor Robert De Niro was given an honorary Palme d’Or during the opening ceremony on May 13, in recognition of his incredible contributions to cinema throughout his life, and the award was presented to him by fellow actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who has worked with him in several films. During his speech, De Niro did not hold back as he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump by calling him “America’s philistine president” and also spoke out against the proposed tariffs on foreign films, saying that such policies are harmful to both art and democracy and should be challenged.

Gucci Cruise 2026: A Return to Where It All Began

On May 15, Gucci presented its Cruise 2026 collection at the historic Palazzo Settimanni in Florence, which holds a special place in the brand’s story because it is where the House’s archive is located and where its journey began back in 1921. The brand’s decision to return to Florence for this collection felt like a full-circle moment, especially now as it enters a new creative phase with Demna Gvasalia taking over as creative director in just a few months.

The setting in Florence, a city known for its rich cultural heritage and strong connection with fashion, was the perfect choice for this show, and even the CEO Stefano Cantino mentioned how deeply Gucci and Florence are connected by saying “Gucci is Florence and Florence is Gucci,” which highlights how much the city has shaped the brand’s identity and vision over the years. The Cruise 2026 collection felt fresh and playful while still keeping the elegance and glamour that Gucci is known for, with materials like leather, velvet, and fur making a strong impression along with long gowns that stood out on the runway, especially one dramatic polka-dot gown that had a sculpted triple bow on one shoulder, which was one of the highlights of the show.

This collection gave a glimpse into what fashion might look like in 2026, with styles that felt soft, quiet, and chic but still left room for bold shapes and silhouettes, as seen in the use of structured cigarette pants, formal-looking skirts, floral and leather bottoms, and the return of the iconic GG belt from the archives. The overall colour palette was subtle and elegant, with shades of khaki and other neutral tones bringing calmness and depth to the collection, which showed that Gucci is moving toward a more refined and thoughtful direction while still celebrating its roots and embracing a modern sense of creativity.

In the end, this Cruise 2026 show was not just about showcasing a new collection but also about revisiting the House’s origins, reconnecting with its history, and stepping into a new chapter with confidence and style.

Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Unveils Needle-Free Nipple Piercing Collection

In May 2025, Kim Kardashian’s brand SKIMS launched a bold new product that quickly grabbed attention on social media, as the brand introduced needle-free nipple piercings that are designed to look like real piercings without the need for any actual piercing, making it a fun and temporary way for people to try the look without any long-term change. This new drop fits perfectly with SKIMS’ daring and modern style, as the brand continues to push the boundaries of what intimate clothing and accessories can be by mixing fashion with innovation in a way that gets people talking.

BLACKPINK’s 2025 Deadline World Tour

On Friday, May 23, Blackpink gave their fans a glimpse of what’s coming next by dropping a short teaser video for their upcoming stadium tour, which they have officially named the “Deadline World Tour,” and in this dramatic 30-second clip, the word “DEADLINE” slowly rises out of a sparkling pink glitter pool while intense music plays in the background, building excitement around their return to the stage. The teaser comes around three months after the group first revealed that they would be touring again after three years, with concerts planned across North America, Europe, and Asia. The tour will begin in their home city of Seoul and then continue with shows in four major North American cities—Los Angeles, Toronto, Chicago, and New York—scheduled for mid-July, and to wrap up, the group is also set to perform at the Tokyo Dome in Japan in mid-January 2026, making this comeback tour one of the most anticipated events in K-pop.

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