Come May all eyes are on Cannes, the beautiful French Riviera town, that hosts the prestigious Cannes Film Festival every year. The year 2023 will be the 76th edition of the film festival, popularly referred to as just Cannes 2023.
Over the year, as much as the films showcased are the draw, international celebrities flocking to the red carpet of the festival has led to Cannes 2023 becoming the unofficial haute couture fashion show for the biggest fashion labels in the world. Indian celebrities too are becoming a mainstay at Cannes red carpet.
For years actor Aishwarya Rai was Cannes red carpet fixture as the brand ambassador for French beauty brand L’Oreal—she first attended Cannes Film Festival in 2002 for her film, Devdas. Then came Sonam Kapoor in 2011, also as L’Oreal brand ambassador. With Kapoor’s sartorial choices on the red carpet, the entire persona of Indian celebs saw a distinct shift. In 2023, there are high expectations from the Indian contingent to keep the best foot forward in the fashion department.
In the meantime, here is a look back at some of the most memorable haute couture looks Indian divas have served at Cannes Film Festival.
1. Sonam Kapoor in a white Anamika Khanna saree
Sonam Kapoor a true-blue fashionista has never failed to contemporarise ethnic couture on Cannes red carpet. She made head turns in a white lace Anamika Khanna saree with a delicate gold border in 2013. She paired the saree with a embroidered jacket with a trail that added more structure to the look. Her hair was softly pulled back with dramatic winged eyeliner and deep maroon lips. But it was her nose ring, nathni, that was the showstopper of the look. That single adornment made Kapoor’s look standout and iconic.
2. Aishwarya Rai in a gold Roberto Cavalli gown
Aishwarya paired the mermaid gown in gold by Roberto Cavalli with bright and bold red lips, tousled hair and minimal jewellery. The look oozed vintage glamour with an edgy modern twist and Aishwarya invariably stood out on the red carpet.
3. Sonam Kapoor in a pink Anamika Khanna saree
Yet another saree look that Sonam Kapoor knocked out of the park. In 2014, Kapoor wore a pale pink net saree created by Anamika Khanna with a cape and sequin embroidered shoulder drape. Her smokey eyes and sleek straight hair allowed your focus to be directed to her look. Kapoor went with her mother’s heirloom choker necklace as her only jewellery.
4. Aishwarya Rai in a purple Michael Cinco gown
This jewel-toned gown with an intricate and elaborate trail was created by Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco. The maximalist gown has Swarovski crystals hand sewn on to it. The motif on the trail and on the gown’s bodice is that of a bird in flight.
5. Deepika Padukone in a white Dundas gown
Another Indian actor who has taken the fashion world by storm, Deepika Padukone has become a staple at the Cannes red carpet. At the xx Cannes Film Fare, Deepika walked the red carpet in a voluminous white gown with an exaggerated trail and thigh-high slit. The gown also featured a big black bow as an accent piece to the dress. She paired the look with chandelier earrings, dramatic eyes and a very sleek and high ponytail.
6. Priyanka Chopra Jonas in black and rose gold Roberto Cavalli gown
The dazzling black and rose gold sequins on Priyanka Chopra’s gown remind one of the cosmos. The Roberto Cavalli gown looks stunning on India’s global superstar. Priyanka pairs the look with Chopard earrings and vintage-inspired side-swept hair and graphic cat eyes.
7. Kangana Ranaut in custom Falguni and Shane Peacock
It’s not every day that one takes Indian handloom and spins a graceful contemporary look with it. Actor Kangana Ranaut wore a gold Kanjeevaram saree with a custom bejewelled corset designed by Falguni and Shane Peacock. Adding to the flair were the elbow-length purple gloves and Kangana’s side-parted neat bun.
8. Masoom Minawala in hot pink Valentino ensemble
Though not an actor, Masoom Minawala is a fixture at Cannes Film Festival for sartorial choices. At the 2022 edition of Cannes Film Festival, Minawala was one of the first Indians to give the country a taste of Valentino Pink PP. The hot pink monochrome is the highlight of the look, which she pairs with nude makeup, clean hairstyle and basic jewellery.
9. Hina Khan in a red Rami Al Ali gown
The wine-red pleated gown screams casual glam and actor Hina Khan with her long bob is rocking the French chic vibe on the Riviera’s boardwalk. Dubai-based designer Rami Al Ali has previously dressed the Indian actor for Cannes as well.
10. Deepika Padukone in a rust orange Ashi Studio gown
The year 2022 was Deepika Padukone’s year. There was not a single look that she did not nail. This rust orange gown by Ashi Studio with its architectural details looked stunning on Deepika without losing the softness of the fabric. The look was paired with green Farah Khan World earrings.
11. Deepika Padukone in black and gold Sabyasachi saree
Deepika may have faced trolls for this look, but it is nothing but iconic for us. The classic black and gold stripe on a saree elevated further with sequins is a lesson on how to pull off an over-the-top look with incredible grace. The high bun with gold jewellery and extremely dramatic eyes were stunning.