The 2025 Cannes Film Festival became a defining moment for Indian fashion on the global stage. From heritage weaves and regal couture to daring experimental silhouettes, Indian celebrities transformed the iconic red carpet into a celebration of creativity, individuality, and cultural pride. This Cannes Throwback revisits the unforgettable style moments that had the entire fashion world talking and further cemented India’s growing influence at the prestigious festival.

Now that Cannes 2026 is officially underway, conversations around last year’s standout appearances still continue. More importantly, every Indian celebrity brought a distinct fashion identity to the carpet, proving that Indian fashion is no longer simply participating at Cannes — it is leading conversations and setting trends.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Redefined Regal Style

Few stars command attention at Cannes quite like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Year after year, she delivers unforgettable fashion moments, and Cannes 2025 was no exception.

This time, Aishwarya embraced timeless Indian elegance in a breathtaking ivory and gold ensemble by Manish Malhotra. The handwoven Kadwa Banarasi saree featured intricate embroidery and was paired with a dramatic cape-style dupatta that instantly elevated the traditional silhouette into couture territory.

Additionally, the real gold detailing and heirloom-inspired jewellery added depth and richness to the overall look. Her signature poise and effortless grace made the ensemble even more impactful.

Ultimately, her appearance perfectly captured the essence of Cannes 2025 for Indian fashion — traditional craftsmanship presented with global couture sophistication.

Alia Bhatt’s Cannes Debut Balanced Elegance and Luxury

There was enormous anticipation surrounding Alia Bhatt’s Cannes debut, and she delivered a wardrobe that felt polished, refined, and internationally glamorous.

For her very first red carpet appearance, Alia chose an ivory-nude Schiaparelli haute couture gown featuring delicate floral embroidery, sculpted detailing, and a soft mermaid silhouette. The look struck the perfect balance between subtle glamour and red carpet sophistication.

Later, she embraced old Hollywood-inspired drama in a navy Giorgio Armani Privé gown adorned with shimmering embellishments and a statement headpiece. However, it was her closing ceremony look that truly became one of the festival’s biggest talking points.

Alia stunned in a custom Gucci saree-inspired creation embellished with Swarovski crystals and the luxury house’s iconic GG monogram. As a result, the fusion of Indian draping with global luxury fashion created one of Cannes 2025’s most memorable style moments.

Throughout the festival, Alia consistently proved that understated confidence and refined styling can leave a lasting impression.

Parul Gulati Pushed Fashion Boundaries

While many celebrities embraced glamour, Parul Gulati chose to make a bold and unconventional statement.

Designed by Mohit Rai and Riddhi Bansal, her custom-made outfit was crafted entirely from human hair as a tribute to her hair extension brand, Nish Hair. Naturally, the unique ensemble instantly sparked conversations across social media and fashion circles.

Moreover, the look blurred the lines between fashion, art, and entrepreneurship. Instead of following predictable red carpet trends, Parul brought originality and individuality to the global stage.

In a festival filled with glamorous gowns and dramatic couture, her appearance stood out because of its fearless creativity and personal storytelling.

Nitanshi Goel Brought Fresh Energy to Cannes

Among the younger stars making an impact at Cannes, Nitanshi Goel emerged as one of the freshest fashion voices of the festival.

One of her standout looks came from JADE by Monica and Karishma, featuring delicate detailing and dreamy craftsmanship. She also embraced a playful fairytale aesthetic in a whimsical couture outfit by Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika Sharma.

What truly made Nitanshi stand out, however, was her authenticity. Unlike overly styled celebrity appearances, her looks felt effortless, youthful, and refreshingly natural.

Consequently, she successfully introduced a younger generation of Indian talent to the global fashion conversation while maintaining softness and individuality.

Janhvi Kapoor Celebrated Indian Craftsmanship

Janhvi Kapoor fully embraced cinematic glamour at Cannes 2025 with fashion deeply rooted in Indian artistry and couture craftsmanship.

One of her most memorable appearances featured a blush pink tissue ensemble by Tarun Tahiliani. The outfit beautifully combined draped Indian aesthetics with structured couture elements, creating a silhouette that felt both regal and contemporary.

Later, she appeared in a pistachio green couture gown by Anamika Khanna featuring a sculpted gilded bodice, intricate embroidery, pearl detailing, and a dramatic extended train.

Furthermore, Janhvi’s wardrobe perfectly balanced softness with grandeur. Every look celebrated Indian craftsmanship while still delivering the dramatic elegance expected on a global red carpet.

Ishaan Khatter Proved Indian Menswear Could Shine

Although women dominated most Cannes fashion headlines, Ishaan Khatter demonstrated that Indian menswear could be equally impactful and fashion-forward.

The actor wore a deep Bordeaux velvet bandhgala designed by Gaurav Gupta, paired with tailored trousers and a sleek black silk shirt. The structured silhouette and luxurious velvet texture gave the ensemble a modern and sophisticated edge.

At the same time, the look retained subtle traditional influences through its tailoring and styling. Rather than relying on excessive embellishment, Ishaan embraced clean sophistication and understated confidence.

As a result, his appearance became one of the strongest menswear moments from India at Cannes 2025.

Vishal Jethwa Embraced Understated Sophistication

Vishal Jethwa brought a quieter yet equally memorable energy to the Cannes red carpet.

At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Vishal made a striking debut in a custom black “Power Armour” suit designed by Kaushik Velendra. The ensemble featured sharp shoulder structures, crystal embellishments, and custom gold brooches titled “Two Wings of the Same Sky” by Kavya Potluri.

Nevertheless, despite the dramatic detailing, his overall styling remained refined and grounded. Instead of chasing excessive theatrics, Vishal focused on strong tailoring and effortless confidence.

His appearance ultimately proved that simplicity and authenticity can often leave the strongest impression.

Karan Johar Delivered Signature Maximalist Fashion

No Cannes Throwback would feel complete without mentioning Karan Johar and his larger-than-life fashion sensibility.

Known for embracing dramatic silhouettes and statement styling, Karan wore an embroidered ivory sherwani by Manish Malhotra that celebrated regal Indian craftsmanship with a couture twist.

Additionally, he paid tribute to late designer Rohit Bal by wearing a silk velvet jacket from the designer’s archive collection.

The luxurious fabrics, layered styling, and theatrical presentation reflected Karan’s deep understanding of fashion as performance art. More importantly, his wardrobe reinforced how personal style can become a powerful form of storytelling.

Indian Fashion Truly Owned Cannes 2025

More than anything else, Cannes 2025 marked a turning point for Indian representation on the global fashion stage. Indian celebrities confidently embraced heritage craftsmanship, experimental couture, and contemporary styling while staying rooted in individuality.

From timeless sarees and couture gowns to powerful menswear and avant-garde creations, every appearance contributed to a larger narrative — one where Indian fashion commanded global attention with confidence and originality.

As Cannes 2026 unfolds, expectations are naturally higher than ever. However, if Cannes 2025 proved anything, it is that Indian celebrities are no longer simply attending the festival — they are shaping its most unforgettable fashion moments.