The Cannes Film Festival may be globally renowned for its cinematic excellence, but the red carpet continues to be platform for sartorial spectacle. This year for Bollywood brigade, the fashion focus turned sharply towards accessories that are bold, unconventional, and undeniably conversation-starting.
Among the standouts was 17-year-old Laapataa Ladies actor Nitanshi Goel, who made a memorable debut. Clad in an ivory sari, Goel paid homage to Indian cinema with a unique hair accessory -- pins adorned with portraits of legendary actresses like Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Rekha, Waheeda Rehman, Sridevi, Nutan, Hema Malini, and Vyjayanthimala.
On the other hand, actor and model Urvashi Rautela created quite a stir with a parrot-shaped clutch by Judith Leiber, reportedly valued at Rs 4 lakh. The crystal-encrusted accessory, paired with a matching tiara, sparked significant buzz across social media platforms.
Although, model Ruchi Gujjar got a bit too gimmicky but managed to turn heads with her distinctive take on red carpet jewellery. Attending the Chopard Caroline Universe Dinner, she opted for pendants featuring the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her choice, though unconventional, underscored the use of fashion for making a political expression.
Among the Bollywood men, filmmaker Karan Johar embraced a sophisticated aesthetic with garments by the late Rohit Bal and accentuated his looks with ornate brooches during promotions for Homebound.
Actor Vishal Jethwa, in his Cannes debut, showcased a dramatic black pantsuit with sculptural tailoring, highlighted by a pair of golden bird-shaped brooches perched near the collar, along with stacked rings and power shoulders to mark a bold dandy aesthetic.
Red carpet worthy:
This year, Cannes red carpet showcased a captivating evolution in adornment, and industry experts observe a shift towards sophisticated maximalism in accessories this year. Designer Dolly J notes, “In 2025 Cannes, accessories made subtle yet powerful statements with quiet confidence. Particularly fascinating was a lot of the jewellery's profound connection to Indian heritage, re-imagined with a contemporary twist. Exquisite diamond cuts, Jadau, and Kundan work were inspiringly integrated into Westernised forms. This masterful amalgamation of ancestral Indian craftsmanship with new contemporary art celebrated a global design language, rooted in tradition yet fearlessly forward looking.”
Interestingly, Nikita Jain, Design and Product Head at Kicky & Perky, described this year’s fashion landscape as “a barrage of fashion and jewellery moments never seen before.”
She cites examples like Bella Hadid in Chopard, Isabeli Fontana’s oversized brooch, and Aishwarya Rai ’s layered ruby pieces as prime examples of the accessory-forward trend. According to her, colourful gemstones dominated the jewellery scene. Irina Shayk’s yellow diamond earrings and Alessandra Ambrosio’s tanzanite-laced ensemble reflected a preference for vibrant, standout stones.
She says, “You couldn’t possibly call the Cannes red carpet dull—with eye-popping, attention-stealing, and show-stopping statement pieces everywhere. One of the most talked-about looks was Urvashi Rautela, who wore some of the biggest and rarest gemstones in the world, valued at an astounding $151 million. Janhvi Kapoor stood out with statement earrings paired with a striking jade necklace cascading down her back. The no-necklace minimalism is making maximum impact. One of the biggest trends rocking the fashion world right now is layering. And Aishwarya Rai Bachchan nailed this trend, layering a ruby necklace with a bold choker, a look that literally took our breath away.”
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