Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s celestial gown consisted of around 150 lightweight aluminum pieces.
Cannes 2023: Gunel Babayeva, UAE-based fashion designer and founder of Sophie Couture, talks exclusively to News18 about designing a structured gown for the Queen of Cannes, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
The Queen of Cannes, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan struck a pose on the 76th Cannes Film Festival red carpet and won it. The former Miss World and global star made a stunning appearance in a celestial silver gown at the premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny to celebrate her 21st birthday.
Though the Ponniyin Selvan: II star is back in Mumbai, the kind of silhouette she flaunted at the Cannes red carpet is still being talked about on social media. As they say, it takes a village to make a silhouette iconic, and while this look is definitely going to live on for free in our hearts, it’s only fair to recognize the people who created it.
While the mastermind behind the look was none other than renowned UAE fashion designer Gunel Babayeva and founder of Sophie Couture, the look was styled by celebrity stylist Eka Lakhani.
When News18 contacted Gunel Babayeva, who is in love and has been actively sharing posts in Aishwarya’s outfit on social media, took us down memory lane and gave us all the details about the making of the structured gown. Granted, there was a lot of discussion. About the ‘Mystical Hood’ and why dressing Aishwarya in an outfit consisting of around 150 lightweight aluminum pieces was an experience to remember.
Excerpts from the interview:
Tell us about your experience dressing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in this divine gown.
Dressing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in this gown was indeed a memorable experience. Aishwarya is not only an iconic figure in the world of fashion but is also an extremely professional and experienced person. His calm and patient demeanor made the collaboration easy and enjoyable. It was inspiring to see their confidence and support throughout the creative process, and it was an honor for Sophie Couture to dress such a legendary star.
What theme and thought process was used to create the exquisite gown?
The theme behind the stunning gown he designed for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was to create a look that would make an eye-catching statement at the Cannes Film Festival. The thought process behind the design was to combine modernity with elegance and highlight the timeless beauty and grace of Aishwarya.
Can you decode the gown for us, and what’s so special about it?
The gown was a true masterpiece that showcased the intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail. It was structured to perfection, with delicate aluminum accents that added a unique touch and created a powerful silhouette. The crystals used in the gown were carefully selected from Sophie Couture’s exclusive Cannes Capsule Collection, adding to its allure. The ability to strike a balance between simplicity and extraordinary appeal was special to me, ensuring that Aishwarya would be the center of attention on the red carpet.
You mentioned the gown has delicate aluminum, can you tell us how many pieces were used in the silhouette?
To make this elaborate piece of art, we used approximately 150 lightweight aluminum pieces. Each piece was strategically placed to create a celestial shimmer, thus enhancing the overall ethereal effect of the gown.
How many days did it take to create the outfit to bring your vision to life?
The making of this gown was a labor-intensive process that required time and dedication. It took us over two months to bring this vision to life in our spacious studio in Baku [Azerbaijan], The intricate work of hand-beading, combining crystal, metal and tiny beads, required careful attention and craftsmanship.
The highlight of this magical piece was the ‘Mystical Hood’, can you tell us how it became such an integral part of the costume?
The Mystical Hood was an eye-catching feature of the gown and played an integral part in creating its enchanting allure. The idea behind the hood was to emphasize Aishwarya’s pretty face and ethereal eyes, adding a touch of mystery to the overall look. By including the hood, we aimed to create a unique and dramatic element that would set this gown apart. Adding this to the outfit added to the magical and captivating aura, making it an extraordinary feature that complemented Aishwarya’s beauty perfectly.
