Indian beauty queen Aishwarya Rai attended the 79th Cannes Film Festival on 22/5 as a guest for "The Birthday Party" screening. She wore a fishtail gown by Amit Aggarwal, featuring a deep plunging neckline, paired with matching satin gloves and a sapphire necklace. Elle praised her ensemble, noting its blend of classic Hollywood glamour with a modern touch. According to India Today, the gown's design, inspired by cosmic light and infinite space, required 1,500 hours to create and highlighted the designer's signature Crystal Vein embroidery technique. Rai completed her look with glamorous makeup, smoky eyes, pink lipstick, and wavy hair styled with a side part.

Aishwarya Rai poses on the Cannes 2026 red carpet. Photo: AP

The Crystal Vein technique, a high-end handcrafted embellishment and embroidery method created by Amit Aggarwal, involves thousands of hours of manual labor. Hundreds of thousands of small crystals and glittering decorative strips are meticulously attached to fabric by hand, forming natural patterns reminiscent of quartz veins or anatomical vessels. This technique creates moving streams of light across the fabric's surface; as the wearer moves, the crystal patterns catch the light, flowing gracefully with each step.

Sketch of Aishwarya Rai's dress design. Photo: Instagram Amit Aggarwal

Designer Amit Aggarwal told India Today, "Aishwarya always arrives in Cannes with a powerful presence. This gown is based on the idea of light, strength, movement, and transformation, celebrating her radiance over decades".

Earlier that day, Rai arrived at the Martinez Hotel in Cannes with her daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan. The beauty queen wore a black rhinestone-embellished suit, while Aaradhya matched her mother's tone in a patterned shirt and leggings.

Aishwarya Rai takes photos with actors at Cannes 2026. Video: Instagram Amit Aggarwal

Aishwarya Rai, 53, was crowned Miss World in 1994 and voted "Most Beautiful Miss of All Time" in 2000. In 2005, she further earned the title of "Timeless Beauty". Even in her 50s, she maintains a beauty that many admire.

Considered a beauty legend, Rai is one of the most recognized and anticipated Indian personalities at the Cannes Film Festival. Her first appearance at Cannes was in 2002 to promote the film "Devdas", alongside actor Shah Rukh Khan and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This year marks her 23rd attendance at the event. The beauty queen has made a lasting impression with her diverse wardrobe, ranging from traditional saris and regal couture gowns to floor-length fairytale-inspired designs.

Aishwarya Rai currently resides with her husband and children in a Mumbai villa. According to the Times of India, she is among Bollywood's wealthiest actresses, with an estimated net worth of USD 108 million. Rai maintains a private, healthy lifestyle, embracing aging naturally without resorting to cosmetic procedures for rejuvenation. She dedicates much of her time to international charities, focusing on healthcare and advocating for the rights of underprivileged children.

By Hoa Mi (according to India Today)