New Delhi, May 14 – Renowned Indian designer Gaurav Gupta expressed pride in his collaboration with Hollywood star Halle Berry, despite the actress being unable to wear his custom gown at the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival due to newly updated red carpet dress code regulations.
Berry, a jury member at this year’s prestigious festival, revealed during the opening press conference on Tuesday that she had originally planned to don a Gaurav Gupta creation. However, the festival’s new dress policy, which now prohibits both “nudity” and “voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train,” meant the outfit had to be set aside.
"I had an amazing dress by Gupta to wear tonight, but I cannot wear it because the train is too big. Of course, I'm going to follow the rules," Berry said in a clip that Gupta later reshared on his Instagram Story.
In a statement following the development, Gupta remarked on the creative journey he shared with Berry and her team.
Gupta’s design house had been working closely with Berry and her stylist in anticipation of showcasing a standout moment at Cannes. Though the dress ultimately stayed off the red carpet, the collaboration stands as a testament to the growing global footprint of Indian haute couture.
The celebrated designer is no stranger to international acclaim. He has previously crafted looks for global icons at major events, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Mindy Kaling, and Aditi Rao Hydari at Cannes, and most recently styled Bollywood star Kiara Advani for her Met Gala debut.
Despite the setback, Gupta's statement reflects resilience and the enduring spirit of creativity, reinforcing that the art of fashion goes far beyond the red carpet.