Hayley Hasselhoff is honoring her mother’s fashion legacy on the most glamorous stage: the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.
Hayley, 32, exclusively opened up to Us Weekly about channeling her late mother, Pamela Bach, who died by suicide at age 61 in March, at the premiere of The History Of Sound in the South of France on Wednesday, May 21.
For the occasion, the model and designer Christophe Guillarmé collaborated on a custom design inspired by Pamela’s 1996 Golden Globes gown: a cherry-red Studio by Jimmy Gamba stunner.
When Pamela, who shared Hayley and her sister Taylor, 35, with legendary Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff, wore the silky fitted number, she styled it with a feathered boa, diamond earrings and a bedazzled clutch. Hayley looked just like her mom at Cannes, also wearing diamond statement earrings, but opting for a custom tulle shawl instead of the plumed accessory.
Both women looked their best with dewy makeup and bouncy, voluminous curls.
As soon as Hayley received an invitation to the French film festival, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to wear her heart on her sleeve.
“This would be my first major public appearance since her passing, and there was no more meaningful way to return than by paying homage to a moment of hers I’ve always adored,” Hayley told Us exclusively.
Hayley, who has worked as a curve model since age 14, also set up her own initiative, CHECKINWITHYOU in 2020 to open conversations surrounding mental health.
Below, Hayley gives Us a behind-the-scenes look at how the poignant moment came together and what it meant to be able to recreate her mother’s memory on the red carpet.
When you were invited to Cannes, did you already know you wanted to channel your mom?
When the invitation to Cannes came this year, I knew instantly [that] I had to honor her. This would be my first major public appearance since her passing, and there was no more meaningful way to return than by paying homage to a moment of hers I’ve always adored.
How did you land on your mom’s 1996 Golden Globe look?
Red is such a powerful, symbolic color — one of love, strength, and enduring spirit. It felt fitting. Not only did my mom look gorgeous in the gown, but it was the joy in her expression that truly stayed with me.
She was similar in age to me now when she wore it, which made the choice feel all the more poignant. It was as though I could share that moment with her — two women, two eras, connected in a moment in time through a single gown.
How did your custom dress come together?
My dear friend and designer, Christophe Guillarmé, paid homage to the original with a silk red ruched gown, while replacing mom’s signature boa with a delicate, custom-made tulle shawl.
The look was completed with oversized diamond earrings from Gil Neuhaus and a Swarovski clutch I already owned — both perfectly echoing the accessories my mother wore on that unforgettable night. The most personal touch, however, was wearing one of mom’s stunning sapphire rings. It was my way of feeling her presence beside me on the carpet yesterday — and always.
How long was the dress design in the making?
The entire process unfolded with remarkable swiftness, taking just under a month. Upon my arrival in Cannes on May 21, we moved directly into a flawless fitting, where it felt as though my mother herself was quietly guiding every detail to ensure the evening was nothing short of perfect.
What did you learn from your mother in terms of red-carpet style?
What I admired most about my mother’s style was her fearless embrace of boldness. While some adhere to the mantra less is more, my mother epitomized the belief that more is more.
Which look of your mom’s is your favorite of all time?
I have a particular fondness for her ’90s ensembles — leopard prints and monochromatic silk separates that exuded “effortlessly cool.” During my teenage years, I would often sneak pieces from her wardrobe to capture hint of that aesthetic she so naturally embodied.
What is it like getting to play “dress up” for a living as a model?
One of the greatest blessings has been working with creatives who are equally passionate about redefining beauty — for curvy women to feel seen, valued, and heard through fashion, that their bodies are worthy, right here, right now.
How did Mental Health Awareness Month inspire your Cannes homage?
With 970 million people struggling with a mental health condition today, it has never been more important to speak up and break the stigma. No story is too small to impact another person, reminding them they are not alone in facing their challenges. Your mental health condition does not define you; with support and the freedom to speak openly, you can live authentically and embrace that it’s perfectly okay not to be okay all of the time.
You can struggle and still succeed. Breaking the stigma has always been deeply important to me, but now more than ever. That is why I am truly excited to share that I am currently collaborating on a special project with the mental health nonprofit Project Healthy Minds to support families who have lost a loved one unexpectedly.
What made this red-carpet look of your mom’s especially meaningful for you?
Every look of hers carries profound meaning, but this one, in particular, captivates me — the glistening expression of love and joy in her eyes. A gown can uplift and make one feel beautiful, yet it is truly my mother’s radiant spirit that shines through in this image.
What was your path to creating your own initiative, CHECKINWITHYOU?
CHECKINWITHYOU started from the belief that it begins with your inner circle — recognizing the importance of checking in with yourself first. By checking in with one another, we build a stronger, more compassionate foundation for open conversations around mental health.
CHECKINWITHYOU was born by inviting friends of mine in the industry to check in with themselves — to look inward honestly and reflect on how they were truly coping with their mental well-being. Launched in 2020, CHECKINWITHYOU started as a collective to demonstrate that you can struggle and still succeed. Over 60 friends from the industry joined in, sharing their reflections and discoveries. Today, the initiative continues its mission to encourage others to check in with themselves and those around them.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
