Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has always surprised us with her red carpet looks. Although at times she had been criticized for her choices, she has always managed to make more than a few heads turn. The French media calls her “The Princess of Cannes” and with good reason! Let’s time travel to her first appearance in 2002 to her grand arrival now!
2002
The debutante arrived in full traditional fare. Wearing a golden yellow Neeta Lulla sari accentuated with heavy gold jewelry Ash received mixed reviews from fashion critics.
2003
In 2003, the diva fired up the red carpet wearing a neon green Neeta Lulla half-sari with her hair tied up in a top knot.
2004
In the next year Aishwarya hit the red carpet in Neeta Lulla’s shimmery silver spangled cut-out gown which did not sit too well with the fashion police. Her persona though was what drew us to her.
2005
Ash finally made peace with the fashion police in 2005. The plunging neck line black Gucci gown brought out the goddess in her
2006
Wearing a navy blue Roberto Cavalli gown with a slit exposing her leg, Ash looked like a blue goddess, heading straight from heaven.
2007
This year was special. Ash made her first appearance at Cannes with husband Abhishek in 2007, wearing an hourglass white Georgio Armani ruched gown with a beautiful gorgeous diamond choker!
2008
For the opening night she wore an open neck stunning black Cavalli gown, for the second she went for Armani’s off-shoulder muted gold gown, followed by an apple green ill-fitted dress and lastly her efforts failed as she tried to dazzle in a bright fuschia number.
2009
With a soft white strapless gown by Roberto Cavalli, Ash made everyone forget her previous fashion faux pas.
2010
In 2010, Ash stole the show with each outfit. Hair in an updo in each look, but it seems like Sabyasachi brought out the best in her! Her violet Elie Saab gown and black Armani didn’t really hit the chords.
2011
How will you react to a real mermaid? Well Ash in Elie Saab’s one shouldered white embroidered gown made her look no less than a real mermaid.
2012
This was a grand new entrance for Ash. After the birth of Aaradhya, her first appearance in Cannes was met with some flak. Her weight gain was the central focus while her embellished Elie Saab midnight blue gown took a backseat. She tried an unconventional Abu-Jani and Sandeep Khosla saree with an elaborate brown jacket, which too wasn’t received so well. However, the confidence with which she strut the red carpet was commendable
2013
She slayed this year in Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla’s heavy printed floor length multicolored anarkali
2014
Aishwarya was absolutely breathtaking in Cavalli’s gold strapless gown look. Red lips, winged lashes and luscious hair – this was considered to be one of her best Cannes look.
2015
Ash only got better with time. In a white and black Ralph and Russo folded gown, she resembled an exotic flower out of a dream land
2016
The viral purple lips year is here! While Aishwarya’s purple lip colour was trolled many times on social media, she made up for it with Ali Younes’ embellished champagne dress that had everyone’s jaw dropping.
2017
And finally the Queen outdid herself this year! A real life Disney princess but with so much more oomph, Ash’s appearance in the 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival in her giant powder blue ballroom gown will make you wonder, “Is this Cinderella?”
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