It’s been over 70 years since India took centre-stage at the coveted Cannes Film Festival. Besides celebrating our cinema, the festival has also introduced the world to Indian culture and fashion. And we’re all for it.
Sonam Kapoor made a bold statement at last year’s Cannes by donning a faite sur mesure Ralph & Russo gown resembling a lehenga. Props to her for embracing and celebrating both her culture and her newlywed look by wearing an outfit that complemented her mehendi.
She completed her look with an Amrapali parandi in her hair. For those, who didn’t quite appreciate the thought behind it, here’s something for ya!
Kangana too, made an appearance at the film fest rocking an Audrey Hepburn look in a hand-dyed metallic Sabyasachi saree.
Rasika Dugal who was at the fest for her movie, Manto, wore a gorgeous breezy blue saree by Raw Mango.
Tillotama Shome mixed contemporary with traditional in her outfits by Payal Khandwala and péro.
Nandita charmed all in her simple and sophisticated avatar.
Neena Gupta looked like a ray of sunshine in this beautiful yellow saree. She also wore a Masaba Gupta creation for another appearance at the fest.
While this year highlighted Indian culture in all its elements; in the past too, celebrities have opted for homegrown designs and shown Indian fashion in all its glory.
Let’s not forget legendary actors, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patel walking the red carpet on the French Riveria in 1976 and making heads turn.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who’s the official ambassador for Loreal and the informal ambassador to India at Cannes has, on more than one occasion, chose Indian wear over international brands.
On her debut at the film fest in 2002, she opted for a golden Neeta Lulla saree.
Here she is in a beautiful gold Sabyasachi saree.
In 2013, Sonam Kapoor made a grand entry with a grander nath we couldn’t keep our eyes off of her.
The next year, she redefined the dhoti for us and in fact for the world with this Anamika Khanna saree.
We never knew saree could be worn like this until we saw Sonam Kapoor wearing this Rimzim Dadu creation.
Vidya Balan, known for her love for the saree, lived up to her reputation and gave us this stunning Indian look.
Not just Indian celebrities, Indian fashion managed to charm the who’s who in the international circuit as well. Here Indian designers made a mark at the world stage.
Freida Pinto looked ethereal in a white and gold Manish Arora dress, part of his final collection for Paco Rabanne.
Here is Paris Hilton in a custom Falguni and Shane Peacock gown.
Chinese-American actor Bai Ling in a cocktail dress by Indian designer duo Rohit Gandhi-Rahul Khanna.
Israeli socialite Hofit Golan in a sensuous golden gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta.
French producer Melita Toscan du Plantier in an art deco-inspired collection by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla.
Here’s to Indian fashion winning over the world!