Forget the classic little black dress, or the campy colours and sequins of the Met Gala. There was one shade that dominated the red carpet at Cannes — white. “It’s a more confident colour than black — it is unabashed, has nothing to hide, it won’t mask flaws like darker colours,” says celebrity stylist Niharika Bhasin Khan.
The Indian contingent, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kangana Ranaut, Diana Penty and Huma Qureshi, sported looks that ran the gamut from ethereal to edgy. While Khan picks Sonam K Ahuja’s Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla outfit in silver as one of her favourites — “It’s always a treat to see Indians wearing Indian designers,” she says — it was the custom Ralph and Russo couture tuxedo that made (literal) waves. Priyanka Chopra Jonas gets a special mention for twinning with husband Nick Jonas, who wore an all-white tuxedo.
Hollywood wasn’t far behind — Michelle Rodriguez, Gong Li, Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez walked the red carpet in white, while Eva Longoria and Rita Ora opted for the pristine look at events on the sidelines. Swipe through to see how the colour was styled in a variety of ways, and let us know who wore it best in the comments.
Deepika Padukone in custom Peter Dundas, featuring a thigh-high slit and a train. She paired this with strappy black Aquazzura heels and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas serving bridal looks in a Georges Hobeika number, with Chopard jewellery.
Bella Hadid made her Cannes red carpet début in a tiered tulle white gown by Dior Haute Couture, at the screening of ‘Rocketman’.
Michelle Rodriguez attends the screening of ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ wearing a fairytale-inspired ballgown, embellished with fringe detailing throughout. It was created by Lebanese-American designer, Rami Kadi.
Eva Longoria sported several white outfits at Cannes this year, including a tailored white suit jacket with wide-legged trousers and a sheer white top and jacket with gold paisley-printed pants. We pick this custom Penelope Mai silk jumpsuit that she wore to the Sardegna Festival photo call.
L'Oréal Paris ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a dramatic white feathered and tulle dress by Ashi Studio.
Gong Li, the recipient of this year’s Women in Motion prize, in a Ralph and Russo couture gown featuring their signature Chantilly lace.
British singer Rita Ora wore Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood to a Magnum ice-cream photo call, teamed with feathered heels and a statement necklace.
Selena Gomez made her début on the Cannes red carpet in Louis Vuitton: a leather and satin bustier and skirt, with belt buckle straps, quilted fabric and pleating. She changed things up for the after party in a little white dress by the same designer.
Former Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio in Ralph and Russo.
Diana Penty sported a white and gold silk number — a “custom made butterfly wing sari” — with a tulle pallu, designed by Amit Aggarwal.
Kangana Ranaut attended a Chopard party dressed in a white one-shoulder gown with a cowl neck, by Australian designer Toni Matičevski. A statement blue cat-eye and diamond and emerald earrings by Sweta Mehta completed the look.
On the Instagram caption accompanying this image, Huma Qureshi said, “Sari, not sorry!” This white Gaurav Gupta creation was given an upgrade with a silver-embroidered cape and Fabergé jewels.
Sonam K Ahuja in a custom Ralph and Russo tuxedo, with jewellery by Chopard and Jimmy Choo shoes.