Crowned winner of Miss World pageant 1994, leading contemporary actress, receiver of the Padma Shree award in 2009 and Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France in 2012, married into the Bachchan family, mommy to a pretty little girl – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has many accolades to her name. And one of the most pompous accolade is her association with the Cannes Film Festival as a representative and brand ambassador for the cosmetic giant L’oreal Paris. Aishwarya made her way to the French Riviera for the Cannes Film Festival way back in 2002 and has been sashaying the red carpet at the festival every year since then. Read on to join me in a trip down memory lane with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Festival de Cannes.
Cannes 2002
It was the premiere of film ‘Devdas’ that brought the beauty queen to the French Riviera in 2002. Cannes saw Aishwarya draped in a Neeta Lulla yellow sari with OTT jewelry (popularized by her movie), greeting Namaste to her international audience. Both Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali were sidelined by her radiant beauty!
Cannes 2003
Cannes 2003 was an appalling year for Aishwarya down the red carpet. As the first Indian actor to be a jury member at the Cannes, she wore neon green Neeta Lulla sari with her hair tied in a bun. She also wore a shimmering pink lehenga-choli and had unkempt hair. She was heavily criticized for the passé look.
Cannes 2004
A revealing white Neeta Lulla gown adorned Aishwarya at the 57th Cannes Festival accessorized with jewelry from Chopard and a silver clutch. Another one was black Gucci dress with plunging neckline doing justice to her sweltering figure!
Cannes 2005
Aishwarya painted the red carpet floral in a flirty and fabulous floral feminine gown by Georgio Armani. She looked splendid in a plunging neckline black Gucci gown. Her look created a flair through the fashion industry.
Cannes 2006
A midnight blue skin-hugging Roberto Cavalli gown adorned Aishwarya making her look sensational. A snake like neck piece accessorized her neckline to pair up with her beautiful gown. Adorned with frills, her black red-carpet gown was a head turner showing just the right amount of skin!
Cannes 2007
The new bride, Aishwarya walked the red carpet at Cannes 2007 with her husband Abhishek Bachchan. She looked stunning in her white strapless gown, shimmery clutch and flaunting her diamonds.
Cannes 2008
Cannes 2008 saw Aishwarya in a fushia pink outfit in a halter neck line which looked pretty, however, her outfit looked crumpled playing spoilt sport to the whole ensemble. Shining green embroidered gown complimented hair pulled back in bun definitely created ripples on Cannes red carpet, but wasn’t one of her best looks for sure!
Her look in the dull golden gown worked perfectly well for her then petite figure making her look mesmerizing.
Cannes 2009
With a big yes from the Fashion Police, Cannes 2009 saw one of Aishwarya’s best red carpet appearance. Robert Cavalli’s white peacock goddess gown with oodles of layers and frills, adorned her body and swept the paparazzi off their floor. Her look was compete with pearl drop diamond earrings.
She was also seen flaunting in a grey Elie Saab one shoulder gown and a silver clutch.
Cannes 2010
Cannes 2010 saw Aishwarya in a black evening gown by Giorgio Armani Prive paired with some red lipstick that created a wow effect.
She also carried off an Elie Saab violet mermaid gown with a short trail and sheer shoulders.
Aish wore the mermaid grey-blue gown by Elie Saab with netted one-shoulder gown.
Cannes 2011
Aishwarya Rai was a stunner in another Elie Saab one shoulder embroidered gown.
Her accessories included a Jimmy Choo clutch and Chopard jewels. Next she cut a fine figure in a geometric Armani Prive dress with smokey eyes, a sure head turner.
Cannes 2012
With her pretty little daughter born in November of 2011, the world saw Aishwarya in her new avatar and her post pregnancy weight. The new mommy came dressed in an Angelo Katsapis maxidress which showed her curvy and chic side. She later dressed in a cream chikankari Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla sari for the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala. This look caused a stir in the fashion industry.
Cannes 2013
Aishwarya was seen wearing a regal satin teal gown that came with a long train and one-shouldered bandeau top. Her hair was piled up into a chic updo and with dazzling diamond earrings and bright fuchsia lips she showed the world who is the beauty queen. Later, in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla floor-length colourful anarkali with heavy embroidery and loud eye make-up she won many hearts.
At the amfAR’s 20th Annual Cinema Against AIDS, Aishwarya was seen dressed in Tarun Tahliani golden sari that featured a heavy embroidery and high colored blouse. Her hair was tied in a bun revealing pretty gold earrings.
Cannes 2014
Aishwarya looked glamorous, strutting down the red carpet in a mesmerizing gold Roberto Cavalli off shoulder mermaid silhouette featuring a criss-cross pattern, a waist-cinching bustier and a long trail. With smoky eyes, ruby red lips and blown out wavy hair do, she is the quintessential beauty. She looked gorgeous in another white beaded gown, which featured a plunging neckline, shimmery tassels and a diamond pattern. Her wavy hair do is garnering much attention this year.
Clad in another Roberto Cavali strapless number- white trailing gown with dazzling embellishments she looked ravishing!