CROISETTE CHRONICLES — PART II

“Sun, Silk & Studied Chaos”

If the first week of Cannes 2026 whispered, the second week grabbed you by the collar.

A blush-pink strapless column gown arrived on the Croisette with the kind of quiet ferocity only a seasoned red carpet can absorb. Pearl-scattered at the bust, its satin surface caught every camera flash. It was paired with a voluminous silver-grey cocoon coat draped off both shoulders — not worn, deployed. Chandelier diamonds framed the ears, stacked rings adorned both hands, and sleekly pulled-back hair revealed a razor-sharp jawline. This was old Hollywood reconstructed by someone who found the original too polite.

Then came the moment that stopped the Croisette mid-scroll: a chartreuse pleated one-shoulder gown, its fabric engineered into deep diagonal ridges sweeping from a sculpted shoulder down to a dramatic thigh-high slit. Photographed against palm trees and Mediterranean light, it looked less like an outfit and more like a natural phenomenon — moss-coloured, elemental, inevitable. A single emerald pendant rested at the throat. Loose waves, barely tamed, completed the look. The overall effect? A woman who dressed for the landscape, not the photographers — and somehow captivated both.

Beside the sea, another story unfolded. A dark sequinned gown — midnight black fading into deep magenta — was worn against the backdrop of open water. Hair loosened by the wind, a glance thrown back over one bare shoulder. Delicate crystal chains descended the open back like jewellery transformed into architecture. No carpet, no crowd. Just Riviera light and the confidence to command it entirely.

Then came the cultural statement that deserved its own paragraph: a halter-neck anarkali of extraordinary intricacy. Silver and blush floral embroidery spread across ivory silk, while a heavily diamond-encrusted halter neckline functioned as both collar and jewel. A maang tikka and oversized jhumkas completed a look worthy of museum display. A blush dupatta trailed behind with quiet drama. This was Indian couture presented not as a translation for a Western audience, but entirely on its own terms — unapologetic, uncompromising, and self-assured.

Finally, there was the fashion commentator who became the story. A multicoloured embroidered bandhgala blazer — alive with iridescent threadwork in mauve, teal, and gold — was paired with plum trousers and a galaxy of statement rings. Frameless glasses added restraint to the visual richness, while the smile carried a different message altogether: I dressed for myself first. At Cannes, where everyone performs for someone, that may be the most radical statement of all.

“The Riviera didn’t dress them. They dressed the Riviera.”

As part of India’s multi-platform presence at the 79th Festival de Cannes 2026, internationally renowned Show Director Liza Varma from India led a delegation of Indian designers and jewellery labels at the Fashion TV Presentation held on 18th May 2026 at the Majestic Hotel, Cannes, at 9:30 PM (CEST).

The showcase featured celebrated Indian designer Amit GT along with Le Marquise Jewellery by Jasmine Gulati Jain and Sambhav Jain, presenting a curated display of fashion and jewellery that reflected contemporary Indian design sensibilities on an international platform. Amit GT’s showcase was presented under the prestigious Golden Lumière Awards Cannes 2026, hosted at the Majestic Hotel Beach, Cannes.

The Golden Lumière Awards show is hosted at the Majestic Hotel Beach, Cannes2026, where cinema meets luxury, celebrating outstanding personalities from international cinema along with visionary business leaders supporting art, culture, cinema, and the future generation of creators. The grand evening was attended by international personality Farhana Bodi and actress Urvashi Rautela, while actress Pooja Batra. The event was produced by Anna Neneman from ENW Showroom.

Speaking about the showcase, Liza Varma said, “My focus is to create opportunities for Indian designers and talent to present their work in international environments. Cannes provides an important global platform to showcase the strength of Indian fashion, craftsmanship, and creative talent before an international audience.”

Held alongside the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival 2026, the presentation formed part of a larger initiative led by Liza Varma to create global visibility for Indian designers, jewellery labels, and creative talent through curated showcases and international collaborations at Cannes.

A historic night of India’s Biggest Fashion Hunt. 
The Miss Diva 2025 presented by LIVA Grand Finale lit up Mumbai with a night filled with fashion, glamour, talent, and pure celebration. It was an evening where India’s brightest rising stars in beauty, fashion design, and content creation owned the stage and showed the world what the future of the industry looks like.

LIVA, the 100% natural-origin fabric brand from the house of Birla Cellulose, renowned for its unmatched fluidity, softness, and breathability, proudly joins Miss Diva as the presenting sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. This collaboration has been effortless, as both brands champion independent women who are unrestricted, spontaneous, and versatile

Miss Diva 2025 was a journey of discovery and determination, bringing together aspiring Content Creators, Fashion Designers, and Beauty Queens from across the country. The process began with online screenings, auditions, and task submissions, narrowing to the Top 8 in each category. These finalists then underwent an intensive bootcamp that honed their skills, tested their resilience, and prepared them for the ultimate stage. The journey culminated in a grand finale, celebrating talent shaped through rigor, mentorship, and purpose.

Sachiin Kumbhaar and Pooja Bumrah hosted the star-studded evening with effortless wit and charm, holding the energy high all night. As the energy in the room built, the anchors led the audience into the Content Creator Finale Task Showcase—a segment that highlighted storytelling, influence, and originality in the digital age. The content creator finalists wore the creations of Designer Nandita Mahtani.

This was followed by the display of craftsmanship and couture when the Top 8 Miss Diva Fashion Designer 2025 finalists took the stage in ensembles created by the Miss Diva Fashion Designer 2025 Mentor and Designer, Samant Chauhan. The Fashion Designer finalists wowed the jury with their Bohemian Musecreations —exquisite bohemian looks crafted from LIVA – a 100% natural-origin fabric known for its fluidity, softness, and breathability.

As the evening progressed, the anchors ushered in the Beauty Queen finalists in scintillating resort wear designed by Mandira Wirk. A high-voltage performance by Manasi Scott electrified the arena before the Beauty Queen finalists returned to the stage, in beautiful gowns by Designer Amarjit Bora, for their Q&A Round.

The night culminated with the unveiling of the new winners. Avni Gupta as Miss Diva Supranational 2025 and Avani kakekochhi Bhat as Miss Diva Cosmo 2025. Both queens will now carry India’s pride to the global stage at Miss Supranational 2026 and Miss Cosmo 2026, continuing India’s strong legacy in international pageantry.

Mr. Vadiraj Kulkarni, Business Head of Birla Cellulose, felicitated Aishwarya V, winner of Miss Diva Fashion Designer 2025, celebrating her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft. Similarly, Manmohan Singh, Chief Marketing Officer at Birla Cellulose, felicitated Monica D’Souza, winner of Miss Diva Content Creator 2025, recognizing her creativity, unique style, and individuality.

An eminent jury panel helmed the night, featuring Actor & Entrepreneur, Rakul Preet Singh, Miss Supranational 2025 Eduarda Braum, Fashion Designers Nandita Mahtani and Mandira Wirk along with former Miss Diva & Mentor for Miss Diva Beauty Queens 2025 Adline Castelino, Fashion Icon, Actor and Mentor for Miss Diva Content Creator 2025 Sahil Salathia, and Ace Pickleball Athlete Megan Fudge.
In attendance at the gala fashion evening were Sangeeta Bijlani, Vindoo Dara Singh, Anu Malik, Meet Bros, Sushrii Shreya, to name a few.

More than anything, the Miss Diva 2025 Grand Finale was a tribute to the diversity and evolution of India’s talent—where beauty meets artistry, where purpose sparks opportunity, and where dreams are nurtured into reality.

Catch the Grand Finale on 4th January 2026 at 8 PM on Zoom TV, with streaming available from the same day on Times Play and the Beauty Pageants India YouTube channel.

About LIVA:

LIVA is a brand of 100% natural-origin fabrics from the Aditya Birla Group. Known for their unmatched fluidity, softness, and breathability, Liva fabrics are versatile enough to be used in haute couture, formal  attire, casual wear, and ethnic garments. As a result, they are favored by both leading global and domestic brands, as well as renowned designer houses. Made from renewable resources like eucalyptus and bamboo, Liva fabrics are biodegradable and offer a sustainable and eco-conscious choice for consumers who value both style and the environment in fashion.