Alia Bhatt Closes Cannes 2025 with Historic Fashion Moment in Gucci’s First-Ever Saree

Cannes, May 24, 2025 – The red carpet at Cannes has seen countless iconic looks, but Alia Bhatt’s appearance at the 2025 closing ceremony may have just rewritten the rules of global fashion diplomacy. The Bollywood superstar stunned the world in Gucci’s first-ever saree, delivering a moment that blended Indian cultural elegance with the pinnacle of Italian couture.

The bespoke creation, a result of a landmark collaboration between Bhatt and Gucci’s creative director Sabato De Sarno, marked the first time the luxury fashion house has officially designed and showcased a saree. Crafted in ivory silk with intricate hand embroidery, the piece was paired with a sheer organza pallu and a structured corset-blouse — a bold reinterpretation of tradition through a contemporary lens.

Alia Bhatt, who also serves as Gucci’s global brand ambassador, shared her thoughts in a brief red carpet interaction: “This moment is more than just fashion. It’s about heritage, representation, and making space for Indian stories on the world stage.”

The look immediately went viral across social media platforms, with fashion critics hailing it as “the moment of the festival” and “a seismic shift in global red carpet norms.” Vogue termed it “the arrival of the saree as haute couture,” while Business of Fashion highlighted the commercial implications of Gucci’s expansion into South Asian aesthetics.

Bhatt, long regarded as a fashion risk-taker, has consistently pushed boundaries — but her Cannes 2025 finale appearance is being described as her most culturally significant statement yet. Fashion experts see it as a turning point in the globalization of South Asian fashion, especially in a year where more Indian designers and styles are being recognized at international events.

Gucci’s move is also seen as a strategic nod to the growing South Asian luxury market. By choosing Alia Bhatt and the saree — a garment steeped in centuries of tradition — the brand signals a deliberate pivot toward inclusivity and cultural respect, rather than mere appropriation.

“This isn’t just about one saree,” said Priya Khanna, a fashion historian and consultant. “This is about rewriting what qualifies as ‘high fashion’ in the eyes of the global West — and Alia Bhatt just led the charge.”

The ensemble was completed with heirloom-inspired uncut diamond earrings from a Mumbai-based jeweler, minimalist makeup, and a soft pulled-back bun — letting the saree remain the centerpiece.

As the Cannes Film Festival drew to a glamorous close, Bhatt’s appearance didn’t just raise the style quotient — it made history. Fashion insiders now expect a ripple effect, with more luxury houses eyeing Indian silhouettes and textiles for future collections.