PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: Needless to say, Mahira Khan representing Pakistan at the Cannes Film Festival 2018 was a special moment for our country. Her appearance on the red carpet has been one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year, ever since she was announced as the spokesperson for L’Oreal Hair Care back in 2017. After all, Cannes is the biggest and most glamours international film festival, with actors from the world over bringing their style A-game to the red carpet.
A long walk for Pakistan: Mahira Khan prepares for Cannes red carpet debut
The 11-day extravaganza is held on the French Riviera every year to celebrate the global film industry. However, over the last 70 years, it has also become somewhat of a veritable fashion show and when our very own Mahira was invited, we couldn’t help but wonder what she’s going to wear to the high-profile events. Virtually every spotlight has been on the Bin Roye starlet as she made her way to Cannes to rub shoulders with the likes of Jane Fonda and Sonam Kapoor.
Sonam Kapoor, Mahira Khan rub shoulders at Cannes and we can't stop swooning!
And of course, barring a few misses, Mahira did us all proud. Who better than the Lollywood beauty to show the world what Pakistan is all about? Here’s a quick lowdown of the multiple looks the actor sported throughout her trip and also, which ones we think she could have done without.
Red carpet ready
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MAHIRA KHANLet’s begin with the main highlight of the entire event: Mahira’s walk down the red carpet. Now, we admit the black Alberta Ferretti gown she opted for didn’t quite make as huge an impact as we had hoped from her big Cannes debut but hey, she carried it effortlessly.
The strapless dress was perfectly juxtaposed against Mahira’s peachy complexion, making its luminous satin finish stand out even more. The sumptuous pleats on the front of the gown accentuated the 7 Din Mohabbat In star’s slender figure.
Also, kudos to her stylist Amar Faiz for accessorising the dress with simple, yet striking jewellery. Mahira wore a multi-layered diamond necklace with solitaire studs on her ears and a diamond bracelet to go with them. The overall look was finished off with classic, soft curls and thin, winged eye-liner with crimson lips adding a much-needed pop of colour.
Magenta madness
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MAHIRA KHANIt seems like Mahira had been saving all the drama for last as she pulled into a chic, long, sequined magenta cocktail dress with a large flower placed on her shoulder for Monday evening’s Chopard Soiree.
Once again, the figure-hugging outfit highlighted Mahira’s lean physique. And we couldn’t be more relieved that she kept her hair and makeup to a minimal for this particular look, considering how sparkly the dress was. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but we think that balloon sleeve was ultra-glam and right on the mark.
Lady in lilac
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MAHIRA KHANNow, this was one look that probably had everyone going gaga! Mahira welcomed Tuesday morning in the quaint French town wearing a breezy strapless gown by Maison Yeya, looking nothing short of a dream. The dress was lilac in colour and paired with bespoke studded diamond earrings by Kiran Fine Jewelry.
In line with its easy going feel, Team Mahira accentuated the overall look with soft tresses and makeup to a minimum – a perfect ode to the seaside city. But we can’t help but wonder…Perhaps this dress would have been a better choice for the red carpet? Also, it was a bit too similar to the other floral gown Mahira wore just a day before.
Floral fiesta
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MAHIRA KHANWhen it comes to Mahira, we believe that less is always more. The simpler her outfits, the better she looks.
Such was the case with the printed Bluemarine dress the Raees star donned on Monday. The exaggerated, flowy off-shoulder detailing was simple but elegant – just like Mahira herself. Once again, the makeup was kept to a minimum, with a few strokes of black mascara, light pink lips and free-flowing hair. A pair of gold hoops added the bit of shine and sure made for a compelling sight.
And it was all yellow…
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MAHIRA KHANOne of Mahira’s many daytime Cannes looks comprised of a bright yellow asymmetrical blouse, navy blue trousers and a large white belt from Solace London’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection. As per reports, she wore it to one of the media interaction events that usually take place on the sidelines of the film festival.
But if we’re being honest, this look didn’t really do much for us. We know Mahira has got the panache to pull international designers but really, she could have done way better than this clichéd ensemble. The white leg pants didn’t appear to fit her too well and even the gorgeous black Christian Louboutin heels she wore failed to give her a boost.
Plain in pastels
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MAHIRA KHANWe know it’s summertime and pastels are the need of the hour now. But unfortunately, we were disappointed with this outfit as well. Perhaps Mahira would have looked better had she opted for a less dull pastel shade?
The Humsafar beauty paired a printed floral kimono by ace Pakistani couturier Elan with light beige (almost white) harem pants and a matching crossover bustier top. She wore her hair in a smooth bun with soft, neutral toned makeup and long drop earrings. But none of the accessories managed to liven this outfit up – not even the pink and orange flowers on the kimono.
White out…
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MAHIRA KHANThe Elan kimono wasn’t the only one Mahira wore: this green and white two-piece from Leonard Paris was also of a similar style as well. Unfortunately, this too failed to make much of a statement – except that maybe it was time for her to go to bed or something. Cannes is all about high fashion and glamour. This pajama-suit pretty much failed on both fronts.
Sari, not sorry!
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MAHIRA KHANNow this is what we’re talking about! Mahira bounced back in style with a pastel pink Menahel and Mehreen sari, which might have been a bit too simple for an event of Cannes’ stature but looked good nonetheless. Her hair was tied up in what she herself called a “khajoor waali choti,” thereby highlighting the slinky, criss-cross back of the embellished black blouse.
However, there was one catch here as well: We felt the blouse and the sari looked more like two separates put together last minute than a proper ensemble created by one of Pakistan’s leading designer duos. Which of the two it was, guess we’ll never know.
Mahira Khan soaks up the sun in Cannes
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