Cannes 2015: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s best and worst looks at the festival

by Shivendra Singh · May 13, 2015

Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been a regular face at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for the past 14 years. (Source: Reuters/AP)

Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been a regular face at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for the past 14 years. The former beauty queen, who was appointed as the brand ambassador of L’Oreal in 2003, joined the likes of Eva Longoria, Andie MacDowell and Penelope Cruz in representing the international cosmetic company.

Apart from of course enjoying the title of being the first Indian actress to walk the Cannes red carpet, there has been a keen as well as critical eye on Aishwarya‘s appearances at Cannes over the years. The actress has received both, positive reviews as well as much flak for her not-so-great choices. While, it still remains to be seen what Aishwarya will don this year at Cannes, we look through some of her past fashion pick-outs.

For her debut appearance at Cannes back in 2002, Aishwarya Rai shimmered and shone in a stunning gold coloured Neeta Lulla sari with matching jewellery to compliment. However, the following year was a huge fashion miss for Aishwarya. She donned a leaf-green sari, again by Neeta Lulla with a strappy printed blouse. A severe hairdo and inappropriate jewellery did little to salvage the look. Another miss that year was a pink-strapped top with a printed bottom which also spelled disaster.

In 2004, Aishwarya Rai looked like she had picked something out of Mallika Sherawat’s closet – a silver cutout gown by Neeta Lulla with a matching clutch.

The year after that, Aishwarya had much better luck on the red carpet. She wowed her fans and critics alike in a feminine, printed gown by Georgio Armani. But the sheer embellished black Gucci gown she wore that year simply blew us away. 2006 was also a good year for the former beauty queen – she looked glamorous in a dark blue strapless gown.

2007 was the year that Aishwarya tied the knot to Abhishek Bachchan. So, her dashing husband was her most-prized accessory that year on the Cannes red carpet. But Aishwarya too was gorgeous in a white strapless gown with a diamond-studded choker.

The following year was also a win-win for Aishwarya who walked the red carpet in envious gowns including a gold one, a stunning black and a bright pink satin evening dress.

By 2010, Aishwarya began to experiment with international designers for her red carpet looks. She showcased a stunning lavender coloured mermaid cut gown by Elie Saab that year and a sexy strapless black dress by Armani Prive. However, our favourite pick from 2010, was a Sabyasachi sari with a green sleeveless blouse. She looked amazing.

2011 was the year that fashion diva Sonam Kapoor made her debut at Cannes. It was initially revealed that Sonam was to actually walk the red carpet in 2010. However, Aishwarya was not keen on sharing the limelight with another Bollywood beauty. It was her understanding that she was the international face of the company, while Sonam Kapoor would represent the Indian face.

Sonam Kapoor on her part was deeply upset on missing her debut at the French Riviera. Not one to keep shut about her thoughts and feelings, the actress angrily retorted, “Aishwarya is an aunty from another generation.” But, Aishwarya on her part chose to maintain a dignified silence on the matter.

That year saw both the beauties competing for fashion reviews. It was no secret that Aishwarya had definitely upped her game in terms of her red carpet looks. Her looks included a one-shoulder lace Elie Saab number and a geometric Armani Prive dress. A photo call during the day saw the actress looking relaxed in a brown Lanvin silk trench-dress.

Aishwarya’s 2012 appearance at Cannes has been the most criticised by far. The actress who was carrying post-pregnancy weight was not spared from the harsh criticism on the red carpet. Quite a few write-ups mentioned her ‘double chin’, calling her weight gain extremely ‘shocking’.

While some from the industry came out in support of the new mother, some even went to the extent of saying that women in the industry, tend to let themselves go after marriage and babies. Many compared her to the likes of Victoria Beckham and said that she should take a leaf out of the Posh’s girl book and regain her figure as soon as possible.

However, Aishwarya did score brownie points for her choice of a grey Elie Saab gown, which clung to her plus size curves. Upon her arrival Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was first seen in an Angelo Katsapis maxi dress. Then in a cream chikankari Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla sari for the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala with an embroidered jacket, which was a complete fashion disaster.

In 2013, Aishwarya seemed to have a clear favourite when it came to designers. She donned a beautiful grey Elie Saab belted evening gown that received mixed responses from critics and fans. However, that same year, her appearance in a black and grey Elie Saab couture gown, which Aishwarya wore to the premiere of ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’, was quite a winner.

Aishwarya flaunted her slim figure in a black Zach Posen mermaid cut skirt, Saint Laurent shirt, Armani belt and Casedei shoes at a media call at the Cannes Film Festival. She pleasantly surprised us all as she walked the red carpet at the ‘Blood Ties’ premiere looking gorgeous in a cream floral Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla number, wearing her hair in soft waves. Stunning!

With 2014, Aishwarya marked her 13th year at the annual prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Though her red carpet appearance was delayed, the actress made up for it with her glamourous look at the French Riviera.

The former beauty queen picked a dazzling gold strapless mermaid-cut gown by Roberto Cavalli that showed off her curves like any proud Indian woman. Not only did it make Aishwarya the talk of the town overnight but the actress also made quite a few critics eat their words.

Her second appearance saw her dazzle in an embellished white gown, also by Roberto Cavalli.

Aishwarya reunited with her husband Abhishek Bachchan at Cannes 2014 where the couple hosted the amfAR Gala. The former beauty queen was stunning in a shimmery champagne coloured Armani Privé couture gown while Abhishek was dashing as ever in a black bandhgala long jacket. Aishwarya won nods of approval for her gown selection and no doubt looked divalicious, so much so that even hubby Abhishek couldn’t keep his eyes off her.