Indians have often faced discrimination in many stages of their life. Some get beat up in the rut of the competition, while others use it as a driving force to achieve something far greater. Influencer Diipa Khosla picked the latter for her Cannes 2023 entry this year. For her 6th consecutive entry to the prestigious festival, social media influencer and now entrepreneur turned host to fellow social media sensation Dolly Singh and rapper Raja Kumari as a first not just for South Asians as a whole but for women entrepreneurs. Diipa Khosla becomes the first South Asian entrepreneur to host talents for the premiere gala on the red carpet under her beauty brand's banner, Indewild. It all started when she was uninvited last minute from a gala dinner in 2022 at the Cannes Film Festival and she chose not to delve into negative emotions but instead channel the force to bring about change for female representation on the world stage. Diipa Khosla went to extraordinary lengths to pursue her dreams and at the end of the day, with resilience, determination and hard work, she achieved it all within numbered days.
To celebrate India and its beauty, Diipa was the perfect piece of art in Gaurav Gupta's signature structured style ensemble called the gilded gold waves gown. The body-fitted gown carried a thigh-high slit. The heavily embellished outfit featured a statement one-shoulder that was a celestial display of fashion. The cape-style shrug featuring a larger-than-life train added drama to the look. Diipa sealed it all with her side-parted bun styled in finger waves. Well, it wasn't just her ensemble that was embellished. Her stunning heels were also gleaming in gold.
Dolly Singh shined in her black ensemble. The influencer chose Tarun Tahiliani for her Cannes 2023 debut. And, the designer exhibited his craftsmanship in all elegance. Dolly wore an all-black saree-style gown. The sleeveless ensemble featured an asymmetrical V-neckline. The corset-style bustier extended to a sheer tulle bodice and then a flowy hem. The oh-so-stunning outfit was accentuated through the designer's see-through dramatic hood and multiple drapes. A sleek middle-parted bun sealed the look for her. Bushy brows and mascara-laden lashes accompanied the bold brown lips. Much of the sparkle was added by her studs and maang tikka.
Raja Kumari, on the other hand, made a scarlet statement in Manish Malhotra's spell-binding bright red saree gown. The customised outfit came with a sleek slit. It was adorned by handcrafted sequins that left a trail of splendour. She paired it with a matching sequin gown, featuring a deep plunging neckline. The hood-style embellished sleeves made her appear like the queen that she was. Fiery red Louboutin heels complemented her overall look. Contrasting white danglers made their way to her ear lobes to help her sparkle with undying fire in her.
Cannes 2023 kick-started on May 16 and it will come to an end on May 27. Swedish filmmaker Ruben Ostlund is serving as the jury president.
