In Sophie Couture
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After walking the red carpet, Aishwarya changed into a powder pink gown from Sophie Couture featuring a matching chiffon cape. Hair worn down in soft curls, a blush pink lip finished out her look. She looked amazing!
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she looks ethereal! beautiful color choices with her outfits this cannes, 10/10 makeup.
She looks stunning in the rose bud pink, and this is how pink should be done!!! Looks beautiful on her, and love the gold accents on teh fabric It finally helps erase the awful flesh pink atrocity worn by Alia a few days ago at this venue
Alia too looked lovely…
She looks absolutely stunning in both the sapphire and the pink gown. I honestly think the hair made all the difference and the fact that she didn’t hide her curves in dumpy outfits. Both gowns accentuated what she has. Truly one of her best looks in many years.
I went back a few years and while this didn’t top last year’s Gaurav Gupta, it’s quite nice. 🙂
I see glimpses of the old Aishwarya again. Irrespective of her fashion choices, the deep nostalgia of seeing Aishwarya on the Cannes red carpet is inexplicable. But will we never seen Aishwarya donning something from a prestige design house again? Those sunlit days of Cavallis, Elie Saabs, Valentinos, Chopard even Sabya? That whimsical lavender lipstick? Given her stature they’d drop everything to cater to her even last minute. They understand her stardom. What are these obscure brands she’s been wearing for the past 2-3 years that barely understand how to dress a generational star?
Maybe her brand is only resonating with the likes of us commenting on websites.
I dont think legit stars have as much pull as the influencers on the carpets around the world.
This right here is what I have been talking about. She has the pull they would all drop everything and create the best for her like they used to, Armani would so would Gucci, Elie Saab, Cavalli even Sabya. These obscure brands pay a sizeable amount to stylists like Mohit Rai, Aastha Sharma, Eka Lakhani, basically all the mid level stylists. How do these stylists get to a major star like Aishwarya, well she did a dreaded movie called Jazbaa where she met Aastha Sharma and it all went downhill from there. The first year Aastha worked with her in 2015, she was great because she chose from what was available in Cannes. These designers have suites in the Martinez, I am talking about the big names and that is where Aishwarya cultivated her relationships with brands like Armani and Elie Saab, Cavalli, Gucci. After 2015, Aastha realised she could mint money by putting unknown obscure names like La Bourjoise, Fjolla, Thea couture, and Cinco too, I mean it worked for a bit, but then she introduced the viral moment in Aishwarya’s Cannes situation, the rest is history, the biggest name in Aastha’s repertoire was Dolce & Gabbana and her pull with them is also the most ridiculous flower dress and the Red Sea gown. Eka, Aastha and Mohit exist in the same professional league, they dont have great pull with big designers like Anaita, Rhea, Tania Ghavri or Ami does, even that girl Kapadia is good, if you go through Mohit’s page its only mid level brands mostly. Before Aastha, Aishwarya would only wear, Armani and not just their regular line, their Prive line, Elie Saab couture, Cavalli and Gucci Premiere, people criticised her then too but now when you look back, the looks were golden, nails perfect, accessories were usually Jimmy Choo or Ferragamo, suits were always Armani, day dresses were Gucci or Pucci, there were desi moments in Sabya, Tarun and Ajsk. She even wore Vionnet and Alber Elbaz’s Lanvin, heck even Dior when Kalyani Chawla put her in one, jewels Chopard always.
I think Archana also benefits from this tacola chpapra designer world, Eka Lakhani introduced Sophie Couture to Aish, Falguni people came through Aastha, Gaurav Gupta came through Aastha Mohit, I mean look at the jewelley brand she is wearing with the Amit Aggarwal, a Dubai based random diamond brand, it is all a way to make money and that paid trip to Cannes.
But you know what the great part is, Falguni Shane’s career went down after putting her in those ridiculous outfits, Aastha rode the Aish wave- she produced some pretty good moments- but then got swayed by benefits and I don’t see a lot of her work anymore, Eka Lakhani dipped after putting Aishwarya in that horrid hood dress by this label, I fear Mohit may have a Cannes holiday and few dollars from Sophie couture and that obscure diamond brand but listen the Aishwarya spell is bad, some cosmic energy intervenes and takes revenge from people who do her dirty. Lol. Not to take responsibility away from her, she has Armani on speed dial whats going on. Also somehow Aastha introduced her to the viral moment, first it was the Cinco dress (cute), next year she made her into a peacock, 2019 Aishwarya was turned into a snake, 2022 a bouqet, 2023 Eka turned her into an alien, Falguni should be sued, 2025 was the most true to her, for all his faults Manish gave us a sweet moment, so did Gaurav Gupta.
You know the worst part, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar used to cover Aishwarya’s looks every year, now its only obscure accounts praisng and these people think they are doing a good job. Here in this dress she looks good, but labels, designers matter when it comes to massive movie stars like Aishwarya.
Catherine Kallon from Red Carpet Fashion Awards has also noticed how none of the big fashion magazines cover Aishwarya anymore not because they are not interested, they just don’t understand what is happening, the selections are so un Aishwarya like. The worst part, the professionals from Loreal who used to doll her up at Cannes, have also reduced posting too much of Aish’s pics in her outfits at Cannes, you will see the pics in the bathrobe, the simple pink Gupta suit but none in the funky outfits she dons in recent years. Not because they dont want to but because they cant seem to understand, they know her since 2004 wearing only the best and now its just weird names like Sophie Couture, none of the loreal line up wears random brands at Cannes like Aish does nowadays. Its Aishwarya’s Icon status and her unique place in the creative world that whatever she does creates hype, but let me assure you these people around her have done everything to somehow help downgrade her status.
MY POINT IS YOU DONT GO FROM WEARING ARMANI PRIVE SINCE 2004 to 2014 to suddenly wearing SOPHIE COUTURE. WTHHH.
PS: Payal I am really sorry have been on a rant lately, but this observation is based on a pattern that I have been following for many years. Who would know this better than you the lore of Aishwarya and those great couture houses, even Sabya saris at Cannes. But I feel like there is sabotage going on and something just doesn’t feel right to me
i think rai doesn’t even realize she has been done dirty! i mean, how does a major star agree to be put on the cannes red carpet in that horrid tinsel monstrosity (falguni something) to be photographed for posterity!! in other words, no creative control.
Ok this is such a fascinating post – thanks for the insight for folks who don’t know the workings. Just Curious – how do you know so much?
I just googled the gown and label. Unbelievable, it is available for purchase for only $3700. Now I totally get your point! Like such a random pick for Aish for Cannes! I wonder if they know what they were doing
Omg that is such a great observation! Didn’t realize until you pointed out the pattern.
And now it makes sense. Why would she agree to be put into these ridiculous low Street labels. I feel it’s spilling into her looks as well, the heavy hair, accessories and make up too. I used to keep thinking I miss Ash of the good old days and now it clicks when you put it this way.
I hope she realizes and comes out of the rut and money minded curcle of styl is stylists and designers, and actually works with the top labels that she so richly deserves I would also love to work with her. But someone needs to give her a reality check
Guys she wore Fjolla Nilla, for an interview with Brut today. Hahahahha, I can’t believe it, love it when my Aishwarya observations land. She literally wore another obscure brand claiming to do couture and shipping worldwide. Fjolla Nilla. Damn Archana and Mohit have made the quickest buck.
Lol you have to be an insider to have such intriguing thorough details on who brought in whom.
This is what confuses me, I understand she never had much of a personal style or fashion sensibilities. So she may not have the aesthetic discernment of say a Sonam to understand when she’s being done dirty and paraded about in monstrosities to fill her stylist’s coffers.
However, after so many years in the business, she is brand literate in the least? She comes across as smart with good business sense. If she is conscious of her own brand value she can insist on collaborating with designers that share her stature? Esp. if they are on her speed dial? Lol.
Also I noticed even Alia wore pretty obscure names this year.
In case anyone doesnt want to read the whole rant, here is a shorter summary:
The commenter argues that Aishwarya Rai’s Cannes fashion image has declined because her stylists increasingly dress her in lesser-known designer brands instead of the elite couture houses she used to wear. They believe earlier stylists and industry connections gave her access to luxury labels like Armani Privé, Elie Saab, Gucci, and Roberto Cavalli, which better matched her global star status.
The comment accuses stylists like Aastha Sharma, Eka Lakhani, and Mohit Rai of prioritizing paid collaborations with obscure designers over preserving Aishwarya’s iconic image. The writer feels this shift led to increasingly “viral” and controversial Cannes looks that damaged her fashion reputation and reduced coverage from major fashion magazines and brands.
Overall, the post is a long rant expressing frustration that Aishwarya went from being associated with top-tier couture and polished styling to wearing niche or experimental outfits that the commenter sees as beneath her stature.
This is so funny considering the AI reply is as long as the original comment!
You are pretty right when I googled what this Sophie couture is that just started around 2015. It’s not even really courure like Dior where the couture title comes from actual rules and regulations they need to follow with custom-made pieces
Google said this
“The Influencer Pipeline: Brands like Sophie Couture heavily rely on gifting and paid partnerships. They pay massive sums or provide free gowns to stylists to get their dresses onto celebrities at Cannes or the Met Gala. This creates the illusion of organic prestige, when it is actually a calculated, aggressive ad campaign.”…
Quite eye opening and a very interesting thread.
Guys, it might also be possible that Ms. Rai is **also** getting paid to wear these obscure brands, on that carpet 🙂 A girl’s got to make money ?
Plus someone like Anaita or Rhea charge anywhere between 10 to 20L per event styling (hearsay). I am guessing the others mentioned aren’t cheap either.
This year has been the best run for Ash in the last 10 years . She should definitely stick to the stylist, the team that woked with her and the designers this year who really understood her body, vibe and personal style. Really great choices. And glad that shes working with a mix of newer designers and brands and not just doing the same ol Chanels and Elie saabs
She has never worn Chanel, she hasn’t worn Elie Saab in 10 years. What are you on about?
hello ? is you mohit rai ? your source of information on chanel is from? your own imagination?
People wear gowns. People wear tradition.
People wear elegance. But then Aishwarya Rai walks in, and suddenly fashion stops being fabric and becomes a moment in history. Time slows down. Eyes stay.
Conversations fade. Because some women don’t follow beauty they become its definition. Years will pass, Cannes will see countless stars, but some queens aren’t remembered for a look; they become part of the legacy itself. And Aishwarya Rai remains that legacy.
Lol. Get a hold please this is embarrassing. No self respecting adult has spoken like this after 1988.
Lol!
Lol No she isn’t. Actresses whose films have actually been a part of the competition and won awards are the legacy of Cannes. Isabelle Huppert, Maggie Cheung, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Deneuve and now Renata Rensve. Aish – bless her – has never had a film in the competition never mind winning any award at Cannes. The legacy of Cannes is films and actresses who are part of those films. Aish does her show for Indians in India and that is that.
Beautiful..the colour and fit are just gorgeous
Owning her curves…love the ethereal colours
She looks great but Did she need the cape?
she’s probably trying to hide her arms-its sad
Ya its so sad to see her this insecure. Always hiding behind fabric and her hair
No but she always prefers some sort of armour . Cape,shawl,dupatta ,daughter ,blazer .
Looks fine .her daughter wore something very similar in red
I think it’s amazing the clothes are making us talk about her, rather than the designer. It’s her 23rd year at Cannes, whew! For sheer longevity and doing it on her terms, hats off.
A nice, clean look. Great hair and makeup.
Way better than the electric blue over-patterned mess she wore before this.
What in the 90s prom queen mess is this?
Gorgeousness and elegance personified! Welcome back ARB! This is what we have been waiting for …. It took some years and so so so happy to see you ??
Amazing! Love seeing a normal outfit worn with grace and confidence.. so starry and poised.
Social media has so much power. The gust about Aishwarya is so instagram driven for this years Cannes just to diss Alia. Look at her lastcouple of years’ looks and people were so mean about Aishwarya and now they are all about yayy queen!
I am a Aishwarya Rai fan since always and i like that he does whatever she wants to do on the red carpet and doesnt give a hoot about what people say about her.
Looking very regal
The lighting in these Getty pictures was probably touched up to give them that glossy finish but honestly, the gown looked even better in natural light. I liked this so much more than the AA she wore.
This felt like a better-planned Cannes appearance overall. There was a real flurry of articles about her online, and her fan accounts on Instagram were way more active this time around. She might just be gearing up to sign a film or two.
I seem to be the only one here but I find the design too twee for her. The colour is great, the hair while not hiding her face is a snooze after the Amit Agarwal, and the cape cover-up is smthg we want to lose. The petal details are too girly for a woman.
The more I look at this , the less I like it . Its an ok gown to be honest . Hair and makeup is nice only in comparision to how she she usually turns up .
She looks nice though but also reminds me of someone trying to transition from wearing sarees to one day asked to wear a gown .