The Cannes Film Festival is famous for the movies that premiere there, and for the glamorous gowns and high fashion that stars appear in on the red carpet. However, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s latest red carpet appearance has received mixed reactions from fashion critics and fans.
Aishwarya wore a black gown adorned with intricate golden patterns, designed by Indian designer Falguni Shane Peacock. The dress, meant to capture attention, had several unique elements that sparked different opinions. The gown combined a fitted black base with large gold appliqués, creating a strong contrast that overwhelmed the dress instead of making a big statement. Adding to the complexity were the large white sleeves that billowed around her shoulders, making her look less flattering.
While puff sleeves can add a touch of Renaissance charm, in Aishwarya’s dress, they made the overall look too heavy. The gold details could have worked well without the sleeves, but instead of adding elegance, they distracted from the harmony and shape of the dress. Adding to the drama was the train of Aishwarya’s dress, covered in intricate gold and white details. While it was meant to make a statement, the busy design of the train took away from the elegance usually expected at Cannes. She paired the gown with large gold hoop earrings, which, although meant to match the dress, added to the overall busy look.
Despite the mixed opinions, Aishwarya Rai’s fashion choices always capture global attention. As one of Bollywood’s most iconic stars, her red carpet appearances are always eagerly anticipated and widely discussed. Her bold choice at the 77th Cannes Film Festival may not have pleased everyone, but it certainly kept all eyes on her.
Saudi Arabia has announced that it is renouncing red for its dignitary visits – and opting for purple carpets instead. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Culture, which connected the change in ceremonial procedure to the violet-coloured plants currently in bloom across the Asir region in Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom said the decision to choose lavender as the new colour for ceremonial carpets better reflects Saudi national identity and the hospitality of the kingdom. The Kingdom further said that lavender is associated with Saudi generosity and hospitality. The pleasant change for ceremonial welcome is one of the many initiatives announced as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Lavender covers large areas of the country’s desert landscape in spring and the purple hue of the flower has been associated with royalty.
Prime Minister Imran Khan walked the lavender carpet when he arrived in Saudi Arabia and was received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
وزیرِ اعظم عمران خان اعلیٰ سطحی وفد کے ہمراہ تین روزہ دورے پر سعودی عرب پہنچ گئے۔
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 7, 2021
At the Oscars this year, the Academy too, rolled out a pink carpet instead of red for its guests. It’s a shade that is said to flatter the A-listers. A secret colour, one whose precise specifications the show’s organisers won’t reveal for fear of copycats.
If there’s one thing that can steal the thunder of history’s deadliest pandemic, it is none other than the fashion politics surrounding the 93rd Annual Academy Awards. Stars and their designers can either make it big on the Oscars Red Carpet like Audrey Hepburn did with her every-trendy white gown for the Oscars 1954 edition, or they can go home as Björk did after her ‘Sawn Dress’ for Oscars 2001 edition was classified as the worst outfit of the decade. I mean, what even was that dress?
Given that we’ve mostly seen stars in their pyjamas and lounge wear most of last year, we were expecting some bold style statements. However, turns out we couldn’t agree more with The New York Times definition of Oscars 2021: ‘A lot of Style, Little Substance‘.
Check out The Current’s picks for the Best and Worst Dressed Celebs during the world’s most glamourous award ceremony!
BEST DRESSED
Zendaya
Zendaya tops the list with her yellow dress from Valentino Haute Couture paired with Bulgari jewellery. The actor paired her outfit with nude makeup making her look like a million dollars.
Brad Pitt
Who else could be rated as the second hottest person and the first hottest man of the evening other than Brad Pitt? The Hollywood heartthrob looked elegant as ever in his classic black and white suit.
Vanessa Kirby
In the era of pastels colors, the Pieces of a Woman actor Vanessa Kirby wore a baby pink Gucci gown that seemed to blend with the background of the Red Carpet. The star paired this look with a bold red lip, shimmery eyes, and Cartier jewellery to bring her A game.
WORST DRESSED
As much as it pains us to make this list, it had to be done.
Questlove
You’ve got to see this! Questlove actually had to the guts to wear golden Crocs at a formal award ceremony. This sure does not look cool and casual if that’s what he tried to portray.
Halle Berry
While Halle Berry got the colour, pixy-like hair and makeup right, the weird oversized draping bow protruding from her waistline ruined the harmony of her entire look landing her straight on the worst-dressed list. Dolce & Gabanna did disappoint us big time with this outfit.
Laura Dern
Last but not least, Laura Dern’s Oscar de la Renta dress with a fluffy lower half that looks more like a wardrobe malfunction was the stuff of nightmare. The dress could have been rescued had the fluffy lower been stitched a little closer to waistline. Designers these days, jeez!
BEST RED CARPET MOMENT
Our resident hero Riz Ahmed may not have taken home an Oscar or made it to the best dressed list but he certainly gave audiences the best red carpet moment when he took a minute to fix his wife’s hair before posing for the cameras. It’s been more than a day since this video came out and we are still swooning.
The 93rd Academy Awards were held on April 25, (April 26 PST) in Los Angeles at multiple locations: Dolby Theatre, where it has been traditionally hosted since 2001, and Union Station. Only the nominees, their guests and the ceremony’s presenters were allowed inside the hall due to coronavirus restrictions.
The event began with a movie-style opening credits sequence, as Regina King strode into the venue clutching a gold statuette.
“Live TV, here we go. Welcome to the 93rd Oscars!” she said. “And, yes, we are doing it maskless… people have been vaxxed, tested, re-tested, socially distanced.”
This year’s Oscars arrived at their Union Station venue two months late due to the pandemic — organisers have said it would have been “impossible” without the delay.
Before the show, stars paused briefly for pictures and socially distanced interviews on what organisers called a “teeny-tiny red carpet.”
Award season means there are plenty of red carpet looks to get inspiration from. The first Pakistan International Screen Awards (PISA) were held on Friday (February 7) in Dubai and our stars made sure to put forward their best fashion front.
From Mahira Khan to Meera Jee, everyone dazzled on the red carpet and looked like a million dollars. What was trending on the red carpet this week was sparkles, glitter and bling. Check out the pictures below:
Mahira Khan
Mahira cut a svelte figure in a dress by Lebanese-American fashion designer Rami Kadi for the red carpet before changing into a sparkly sari by Élan for the after-party.
Meera Jee
Meera Jee is sure bringing her A-game in this blingy power suit.
Ayesha Omar
Va-va-voom. Ayesha looks fab-u-lous in this gold outfit by labourjoisie.
Reema
Sarwat Gilani
Sarwat dons a midnight blue sari by Soshai.
Hareem Farooq
Hareem looks like she came straight from the galaxies in this shimmery sari by Élan.
Aima Baig
Sana Javed
Sana Javed stuns in this anarkali-style dress by Nomi Ansari.
