- Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Alia Bhatt turned heads on the Cannes 2025 red carpet in a Swarovski-embellished Gucci ensemble being dubbed the brand’s “first saree”—but the internet is not buying it, calling it a lehenga instead.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Alia Bhatt once again made a bold fashion statement on the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, but this time it wasn’t just the sparkle that had people talking. For her final appearance at the global film and fashion spectacle, the Bollywood star stepped out in what many fashion pages have dubbed Gucci’s “first saree”—an ensemble embellished with Swarovski crystals. However, the internet isn’t entirely convinced.
Alia’s outfit, described by Gucci as “a custom gown with embroidered crystals in a GG Monogram pattern,” instantly ignited debate across fashion circles. It featured a nude-toned, shimmering bralette with a plunging neckline, a high-waisted fishtail-style skirt, and a crystal-draped dupatta forming a dramatic train. While the silhouette drew attention for its glamour, it drew even more reactions for being mistakenly identified as a saree.
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Popular fashion watchdog Diet Sabya was among the first to share the ensemble, hailing it as a saree-inspired creation by the Italian fashion house. But social media users quickly chimed in with skepticism and sarcasm. “In what universe is this a saree?” one Instagram user commented. Another said bluntly, “It’s choli lehengaaa. Someone, please explain to Gucci.” One even joked, “Is the sari in the room with us?”
While Gucci did not label the outfit a saree, the chatter around its design quickly became viral. Some noted the look resembled a lehenga with a choli and a dupatta, with comments such as “Let’s call it a lehenga… saree is sareeee,” and “It’s a fishtail lehenga with a choli.” Others were confused about whether Gucci made the claim or if fashion observers had simply stretched the interpretation.
Despite the debate, Alia Bhatt carried the look with poise and elegance. Styled with soft blowout waves and center-parted hair, her glam featured flushed cheeks, glossy pink lips, winged eyeliner, feathered brows, and a radiant highlighter. She accessorized with minimal yet elegant diamond jewelry, including earrings, a choker, and a cocktail ring.
This isn’t the first time Alia has captured attention at Cannes. Earlier in the festival, she wore a custom Schiaparelli gown and a breezy three-piece Gucci outfit that perfectly complemented the French Riviera vibe. Her choice to close out the event in a sparkling, Indian-inspired silhouette was both a fashion-forward and cultural move, even if it left fans and critics debating definitions.
Whether saree or lehenga, Alia Bhatt undeniably created a red carpet moment that will be remembered. But her Cannes 2025 look has also sparked a larger conversation on cultural representation in global fashion—especially when Western luxury brands attempt to reinterpret South Asian silhouettes.
