Robert Wun made history in January this year when he became the first Hong Kong designer to showcase at Paris Couture Week. And he’s kept the momentum going by dressing Somali model Rawdah Mohamed for Cannes in a bridal piece from his spring/summer 2023 collection called the “Scorched Bride”.

The satin gown with silk organza veil, which Mohamed wore to the premiere of French historical drama La Passion De Dodin Bouffant, was a technically complex garment that used printing, dyeing and pleating techniques. But what gave it its distinctive look were the burnt edges and scorched marks. Complete with a flame-kissed veil, the ensemble was arguably one of the most memorable creations worn at this year’s Cannes.

In case you missed it: Filipinas on the Cannes red carpet: Dolly de Leon, Heart Evangelista, Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey and more

This luxury brand—which is a portmanteau of the names of its designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla—is an established one in India. The duo has been creating lavish gowns, sari, sherwani and custom pieces for more than three decades, and they have dressed countless Indian stars at Cannes over the years.

This year, they dressed Bollywood star Sara Ali Khan and fashion influencer Masoom Minawala in dazzling two-piece sets. In fact, Khan wore two different looks: a nude-pink lehenga (crop top and full skirt), and a fusion sari that featured a monochrome halter-neck top and a trailing satin skirt. Meanwhile, Minawala stunned in a bejewelled blouse and emerald green skirt.

K-pop girl group aespa walked the Cannes red carpet as the brand ambassadors of Chopard, and band leader Karina was spotted in a custom black number by Korean bridalwear label, Choi Jaehoon. The strapless gown was made up of wispy tufts of organza that billowed in an ethereal way, providing contrast with her structured Chopard necklace.

Choi Jaehoon has previously dressed other major K-pop stars in custom pieces, including Blackpink’s Rosé at a Sulwhasoo event in New York in March this year, and IU at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Having debuted as a designer in 1987, Tarun Tahiliani is a veteran in Indian haute couture, and also the first Indian designer to showcase at Milan Fashion Week in 2003. Known to incorporate Indian craftsmanship such as zardosi and aari in his designs, Tahiliani is famous for bridal couture and womenswear that showcase intricate and multicoloured embroidery work.

For her Cannes debut, social media influencer Dolly Singh wore a stunning custom black gown by Tahiliani. The sari-inspired piece featured a sheer corset embellished with crystals, a structured hood framing her shoulders and chiffon “wings” trailing behind her.

For Cannes, Chinese fashion designer Laurence Xu dressed Chinese actress and model Elaine Zhong Chuxi in an elaborate black and gold gown with Chinese motifs from the designer’s fall/winter 2013 couture collection.

Despite not having produced any recent collections, the Paris-based couturier has been worn at Cannes several times since 2010. For example, he dressed Fan Bingbing for Cannes in 2010 in a piece from his standout Auspicious Cloud of the Orient collection.

Filipino models Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey and Kylie Verzosa celebrated their heritage on the Cannes red carpet by wearing dramatic black gowns by Makati-based Filipino designer Mark Bumgarner. Bumgarner entered the fashion world after pursuing a career in motorsport racing, and counts Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Filipina actress Heart Evangelista among his clients, and is known for his elaborate creations that merge Filipino elements with Hollywood glamour.

NOW READ

Sustainability and fashion: Are shopping second-hand and vintage the new trend?

5 things you should know about design duo Shushu Tong

Robert Wun on the inspiration behind his Haute Couture Week debut