The curtain may have drawn on the 78th Cannes Film Festival, but not before a truly iconic moment unfolded on the red carpet, courtesy of Bollywood star Alia Bhatt. As the global ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, Alia made waves throughout the festival with her appearances, but she saved her most impactful look for last.In a breathtaking move that has the fashion world buzzing, the National Award-winning actress wore Gucci’s first-ever saree, a landmark moment not only for the fashion house but for the representation of Indian heritage on an international stage.
Designed exclusively for Alia, the historic saree featured the Italian luxury label’s signature monogram, intricately stitched and embellished with Swarovski crystals. With no pleats and a sleek, contemporary drape, the outfit merged the timeless elegance of Indian attire with Gucci’s avant-garde flair. The result? A dazzling, red carpet-worthy look that redefined the saree for the global runway.The ensemble was completed with a sultry blouse boasting a plunging neckline, giving the traditional silhouette a bold and modern twist. Styled by the ever-trendsetting Rhea Kapoor, Alia kept the focus on the couture with minimal accessories, a single dainty neckpiece adding just the right amount of sparkle without taking away from the intricacies of the saree.Her beauty choices were equally refined. With her hair styled in centre-parted soft waves and makeup kept to a luminous minimum, Alia radiated understated glamour and sophistication. The look was a striking contrast to her Cannes debut outfit -an off-shoulder pastel gown by Schiaparelli that, while elegant, didn’t quite create the same fashion impact.
But this final look? Pure showstopper.As the festival wrapped up, Alia’s Gucci saree stole the spotlight and left an indelible mark on both Indian and international fashion history. It wasn’t just a style statement, it was a cultural milestone. At a festival known for celebrating cinematic brilliance and high fashion, Alia Bhatt’s choice to end with a saree, one designed by a legendary European brand no less, was symbolic of the global embrace of Indian couture.Fashion historians, take note: Cannes 2025 ended not with a whisper, but with a Swarovski-studded saree.YAY or NAY? We say, history says, absolutely YAY.
