You Wore WHAT!?
Ayesha Nair apologies for that pun and also takes a look back at Bollywood’s fashion choices on the Cannes red carpet
Its the middle of May. Which means were all boiling and thanking our stars that air conditioning was discovered. But on the other side of the globe specifically the French Riviera, specifically Cannes its party time. The most prestigious film festival of the year Cannes Film Festival will kick off on May 13.
So you just know that Bollywood personalities both big and small will flock to the festival.
And if Im being honest, yes, Cannes is about the cinema but its also about the red carpet and what you wear on it. Heres a look at Bollywoods fashion on the Cannes red carpet.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
The first time Aishwarya hit up Cannes was when they took Devdas to the festival. She wore a bright, like put-on-you-shades bright yellow sari with gold jewellery that would make my Malayalee mother proud. That was 2002.
The following years were not good either. I mean who wears a neon green sari? Like seriously! She tried to go glam in a cut out dress but that too did not work.
Then in 2005 something changed. She finally realised that she did not HAVE to wear Indian wear. One year she chose a flirty, printed Giorgio Armani and the next a strapless number with a beautiful statement neckpiece.
The years in between were stylish enough but her style majorly changed when she stepped out post the birth of her daughter.
She insisted on wearing heavily embellished saris and anarkalis. And when Aishwarya did go for a gown, it felt like she was trying way too hard.
But 2014 saw her make a comeback and bam! Just like that she was back in the game. Sequins, structure and bold lips were her mantra and mostly a take-that-haters attitude. She showed us all why she was indeed one of the most beautiful women in the world.
Sonam Kapoor
Sonam on the Cannes red carpet is every fashion lovers dream come true. We bet it was her dream and every fashion designers dream as well. You know shes going to bring her A-game and most of the time she has.
Sonam made her debut in a structured Jean Paul Gaultier gown which was dramatic and the perfect look to debut in.
The next year for a Cannes-related event, she chose a dotted Naeem Khan dress. Is it just me or do you guys also think that the ruffles are trying to attack her face?
In 2013, she brought drama to the red carpet in a floral printed dress. She also wore an Anamika Khanna sari with a long coat! And was so unapologetic about it. And she added a nath, because you know, she Indian.
The next year she did bold and demure in equal measure with an Elie Saab gown and an Anamika Khanna sari with a sheer blouse.
Vidya Balan
Vidya was on the jury in 2013 which is a great achievement, for sure, but did she achieve anything on the red carpet? Nope, not really. Most of her outfits were courtesy Sabyasachi and frankly it all felt too on the nose. Like she made sure that people knew that she was an Indian actress from India and wore only saris and lehengas with long blouses. She even covered her head with a dupatta for crying out loud!
Mallika Sherawat
Now, we were as surprised as you guys when Mallika was spotted at Cannes. She tried to overplay her sexy image, and well, left nothing to the imagination. Low cut cholis and high cut lehengas were her thing. She chin is practically resting on her cleavage.
2011 and 2012 saw her dressing in the same vein to shock and basically question everything that is sane.
But 2013 saw a drastic change in her Cannes style. She was demure and actually looked presentable. For once she was not trying too hard.
The next year also saw her in more presentable outfits like this blue Pucci one.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika was in a Rohit Bal sari and she owned every bit of it. This anarkali? Not so much.
Ameesha Patel
Ameesha attended in Manish Malhotra ensembles but Im wondering if that ghostly make-up was part of the plan.
Katrina Kaif
This year, well also get to see Katrina Kaif on the Cannes red carpet. I cant wait to see how she fares given that shes quite the fashionista.