New Delhi, May 14 – Renowned Indian designer Gaurav Gupta responded with grace and pride after Hollywood star Halle Berry could not wear his couture creation at the opening of the 78th Cannes Film Festival due to a newly imposed red carpet dress code.
At Tuesday's festival's opening press conference, Berry disclosed that she had planned to wear a gown by Gupta. Still, the outfit’s dramatic design did not comply with updated event regulations. “The train is too big,” she said, adding, “I’m not going to break the rules. The nudity part is also probably a good rule.”
In a heartfelt response, Gupta shared that his team had worked extensively with Berry and her stylist to design a special moment for the red carpet. “While the gown couldn't be worn due to updated regulations around long trains, we remain proud of our shared vision. True couture doesn't always need a stage; sometimes, just the intention is enough to ignite the imagination,” the designer said.
Berry’s comments were also featured in a video clip shared by Gupta on his Instagram Story, further underscoring the mutual respect and creative effort behind the design.
Ultimately, Berry appeared in a sleeveless dress with bold vertical black-and-white stripes from Jacquemus’ Spring-Summer 2025 ready-to-wear collection.
Gaurav Gupta has become a staple on international red carpets, previously styling celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Mindy Kaling, and Aditi Rao Hydari for Cannes. Last week, he made headlines for designing Kiara Advani’s outfit for her debut at the Met Gala.
Despite the unforeseen change, Gupta reaffirmed his belief in the power of couture, stating that even unshown designs carry the essence of imagination and collaboration.