Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made a stunning appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, once again captivating the audience with her fashion choices. This time, she wore a beautifully structured gown designed by Gunel Babayeva, the founder of Sophie Couture, based in the UAE. The gown incorporated delicate aluminium accents and crystals carefully selected from Sophie Couture’s exclusive Cannes Capsule Collection, making it a truly unique piece.
The process of creating this extraordinary gown took over two months in the brand’s elaborate atelier located in Baku. Gunel Babayeva, the designer, expressed her delight and gratitude for the overwhelming positive reactions to Aishwarya’s appearance. Being able to dress such a legendary star in the world of fashion was a great honor for Sophie Couture. The designer emphasized that receiving appreciation and support from experienced stylists and big stars boosts her confidence and motivates her to continue her work.
Working with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was a seamless experience for Gunel. Aishwarya, known for her professionalism and vast experience with red carpet looks, made the creative process easy. She exhibited patience, calmness, and professionalism in each step. Gunel was immensely grateful for Aishwarya’s faith in her work and considered it a significant achievement.
The gown’s creation involved intricate hand-beading work, which required meticulous attention to detail. The gown was adorned with crystals, metal, and small beads, and the entire process took more than 60 days to complete. The gown was meticulously crafted in the brand’s atelier in Baku, where a team of around 100 people worked closely to ensure perfection. Several fittings were conducted with Aishwarya to achieve the ideal silhouette for her red-carpet appearance.
Aishwarya revealed her fondness for Sophie Couture’s designs, which drew her to the label. For this specific look, she desired something modern yet eye-catching, as it was her only red-carpet appearance at Cannes. The designer was delighted to fulfill her wishes and create a simple, elegant, and stand-out gown that would present Aishwarya in a different light. The inspiration behind the ‘mystical hood’ gown came from Aishwarya’s ethereal beauty, particularly her captivating eyes. The hood was designed to accentuate the mystique in her eyes, and Aishwarya’s first reaction to the gown was sheer love and confidence.
The most challenging aspect of creating the gown was achieving the desired structure while ensuring Aishwarya’s comfort. The fabric used was stiff, and making the hood stand in a specific way proved to be a meticulous task. However, the designer had to consider Aishwarya’s hectic schedule and the need for her to feel comfortable while walking the red carpet. The team succeeded in striking the right balance, creating a gown that was both visually stunning and comfortable to wear. The gown featured beaded fabric with aluminium accents and intricate crystal work.
When collaborating with global stars, it is important for the designer to incorporate their style and preferences while preserving their own design voice. In the case of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, sketches of the gown were presented, and only after receiving her approval did the team proceed with creating the gown. Gunel emphasized the importance of showcasing the DNA of Sophie Couture in each piece, ensuring that her personal style and vision as a designer were reflected.
