Alia Bhatt made quite the splash at her very first Cannes Film Festival this year, and honestly, all eyes were on her. From a dreamy pastel gown by Schiaparelli to a breezy Gucci three-piece set that captured the summer vibe of the French Riviera, Alia brought her A-game to the red carpet.
But it was her final look that really got people talking.
Wearing a custom outfit by Gucci, Alia turned heads in what many believed to be the luxury label’s first-ever sari—or at least something inspired by one. The shimmering outfit, covered in embroidered Swarovski crystals arranged in Gucci’s signature GG monogram, looked like a fusion between traditional Indian wear and a high-fashion gown.
Gucci’s official Instagram, however, simply described it as a “custom Gucci gown,” not mentioning a sari or lehenga at all. Still, fashion pages and fans were quick to label it as a sari-inspired moment.
The anonymous Instagram account Diet Sabya posted about it, and the comments section quickly lit up. One person asked, “It’s choli lehengaaa. Someone, please, explain to Gucci.” Another joked, “Is the sari in the room with us?” Many echoed the same feeling: “That’s a lehenga, not a sari!”
Someone even said, “We could get this in Chandni Chowk for 5K,” while another predicted, “Can’t wait to see this at every Diwali party this year via Shahpur Jat boutiques.”
Despite the back-and-forth, what stood out was the sparkle and boldness of the look. Alia was quite literally bejewelled from head to toe. While people were unsure whether to call it a sari or lehenga, there was no denying that it made a statement. And Alia being the first Indian Global Brand Ambassador for Gucci, the look truly was a first for the brand.
Earlier in the day, the actor also wore a custom Gucci three-piece set in canary yellow for press, styling it with a chic scarf tied around her face and hair.
