Cannes-tastic desi chic

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At the 66th Cannes Film Festival, Indian celebrities are leaving no stone unturned to promote brand India. Be it Sonam Kapoor’s white lace sari and gold jacket from Anamika Khanna’s couture line or Vidya Balan’s ultra Indianised Sabya ensembles, this year the red carpet at Cannes is high on desi sensibilities.

On the opening day of the festival when actress Vidya Balan wore a scarlet Sabyasachi Khadi ensemble paired with traditional jhumkis, she set the ball rolling for the rest of the Bolly brigade. From a red haute diva to a pristine white Mughal princess on day two at The Great Gatsby premiere, Vidya’s style statement at Cannes couldn’t have been more Indianised. Designer Sabyasachi, who created the look for Vidya, says, “It’s a purist ethnic look, almost like a Golconda princess. In the coming days, she’ll be seen wearing full-sleeved blouses, khadi saris, anarkalis, Benarasis, chanderi paired with clutches embellished in Kashmiri, Parsi and Kutch craft. India is only known as a bling country, this time it’s about Indian fabrics and little embellishment.”
Even Hollywood divas have started sporting desi designers at the red carpet. On the opening day Melita Toscan du Plantier wore a stunning black and gold ensemble by designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, who have also created selected Indian outfits for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan this year. Speaking about Melita’s garment, the designers mentioned, “The ankle-skimming dress was part of our Art Deco inspired collection. We gave her a bugle-beaded black and gold dress, incorporating architectural motifs, it is an ode to drop dead 1920s glam.”
Reportedly Nimrat Kaur, lead actress of The Lunch Box, will be wearing Rajat Tangri’s ensemble for the Directors’ Fortnight film screening followed by The India Cinema Day: the hundred year celebration dinner event. Speaking about her look, Rajat Tangri, says, “I have selected two different looks for Nimrat Kaur — a fitted black full sleeve dress with low back and copper sequin embellishments that she will wear on the red carpet. I have also given her a red fitted dress with a high neck for the formal event.”
However, designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock feel that Indian craftsmanship has always been appreciated. They add, “International brands are outsourcing karigars from India, and in the same way Indian designers creating looks that have a global appeal. We think that Indian celebs need to promote Indian craftsmanship and designers, and together we can mark India on the global fashion map.”