Asian Stars Dominated the 77th Cannes Film Festival
Each year, the most influential celebrities in show business gather in the South of France for the Cannes Film Festival. As the prestigious celebration of cinematic art unfolds, red carpets, photo calls, and even the streets deliver fashion moments worthy of recognition.
In consonance with the entertainment industry’s newfound appreciation for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, API talent stole the spotlight at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Notable filmmakers such as Mohammad Rasoulof, Rithy Panh, and Payal Kapadia received high acclaim for their work. Meanwhile, names like Omara Shetty and Sarocha Chankimha resonated with force as promising newcomers.
Style-wise, movie stars, singers, and television icons such as Zhao Tao, Hande Erçel and Guan Xiaotong readily transformed every event into a personal runway. Even influencers created buzzworthy moments — take as an example Nancy Tyagi and her self-made dress.
Celebrating their talent, creativity and style, EnVi rounds up the Asian names dominating the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival’s red carpets.
Cinta Laura Kiehl – Indonesia
Indonesian singer, actress and model Cinta Laura Kiehl, who is a fixture at red carpets and fashion events, paid homage to her home country in a creation by Indonesian designer Monica Ivena. Inspired by a rare Balinese Jalak bird, the white gown featured white and imperial blue feather details and a long train. As per Kiehl, her dress choice represented women’s strength, grace and poise.
Diala Makki – Iran/Lebanon
Iranian-Lebanese TV personality Diala Makki is one of the ultimate sources for all things fashion so of course, she herself is one of the best-dressed at Cannes. Tapping into one of the color trends dominating the red carpet, Makki attended the screening of Le Deuxième Acte in a pink three-piece set by Syrian fashion designer Rami Al Ali. The Mashaheer presenter also made waves in Georges Hobeika ensembles at events such as the Trophée Chopard ceremony.
Eddie Peng – Taiwan
Black Dog star Eddie Peng made a case for classic tailoring to walk the red carpet of Oh Canada. The actor’s look consisted of a Louis Vuitton white plastron shirt layered under a velvet three-piece tuxedo, adorned with gold buttons and pearl detailing. Peng topped off the ensemble with a monogram bowtie and black derby shoes, crafting a look for the menswear big leagues.
Elaine Zhong – China
Elaine Zhong, Chinese actress and fashion connoisseur, walked the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in a stunning pink gown. Created by Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin, the off-shoulder, rose dust gown was decorated with reflective patterned details. Zhong, a friend and Chinese brand ambassador of Tiffany & Co., elevated her look with timeless accessories by the New York-based jeweler.
Guan Xiaotong – China
Cannes Film Festival regular, Guan Xiaotong, knows exactly how to pull a showstopping look on the red carpet. Styled by famed celebrity stylist Eric Gao, the Chinese actress stole the spotlight at the screening of Le Deuxième Acte with an archival Elie Saab gown from the Haute Couture Spring Summer 2008. The pink metallic dress featured an embellished neckline, a draped bodice and a subtle train that created a graceful spectacle as Guan climbed the iconic steps of Palais des Festivals.
The Chinese star continued to deliver stylish moments in the days that followed. She took a Giambattista Valli Haute Couture velvet dress to the screening of The Girl With The Needle and slipped into a rare Alaïa dress inspired by the iconic Goddess Dress from 1991.
Hande Erçel – Turkey
Trust Turkish style icon Hande Erçel to serve striking fashion at Cannes. The actor, whose popularity skyrocketed through TV productions such as Love is in the Air, Aşk Laftan Anlamaz and Bambaşka Biri, graced the steps of Palais des Festivals for the first time, as a friend of the luxury jeweler Pomellato. Erçel went all out for the red carpet, dressed in a fiery red structural gown and blue sapphire jewelry. The megastar then switched things up for the rest of her stay on the French Riviera, opting for youthful and daring looks such as the leopard print slip dress she took to the Roberto Cavalli Ray Of Gold party.
Hirokazu Kore-eda – Japan
Palme d’Or winner and 77th Cannes Film Festival jury member Hirokazu Kore-eda has been spotted in tailored looks at several events and ceremonies from the official calendar. For the festival’s opening ceremony, the Japanese director — lauded for films such as Shoftlifters and Like Father, Like Son — combined a classic shawl lapel tuxedo with a statement velvet bowtie and lace-up shoes. La pièce de résistance of Kore-eda’s look was the “Œillet” brooch, a jewlery piece from Chaumet featuring 18-carat white gold and diamond pavé.
In addition to Chaumet, the Japanese filmmaker also sported brands such as Prada and Brioni to events like the “Women In Motion” dinner.
Jung Hae In – South Korea
K-drama darling Jung Hae In touched down in Cannes as part of the cast of I, The Executioner (showing out-competition). Looking ready for the upcoming summer season, on May 20, the star stepped out for the official photocall in head-to-toe Dior — a white cotton short-sleeved button-up shirt and neatly tailored black wool pants. Black leather Dior Buffalo Derby shoes and a silver wristwatch introduced fresh textures to the minimalist, but undeniably stylish, outfit. Later that day, the South Korean actor made his first montée des marches at Palais des Festivals in another Dior look — a peak lapel oblique tuxedo — and classic slick back hairstyle.
Kylie Verzosa – Philippines
Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa is a consummated fashionista and red carpet fixture in the Philippines, but her influence surpasses borders. Kicking off her second Cannes Film Festival sprint, the beauty queen, actress, model and presenter walked the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga red carpet in a romantic pink gown. Verzosa later offered color inspiration with a yellow Sophie Couture gown that she took to the Kinds of Kindness premier.
Lang Khê Tran – Vietnam
As part of the cast of Grand Tour (in competition in the feature film category), Vietnamese-Parisian actor Lang Khê Tran is one of the rising names in international cinema. And it seems she has the wardrobe to match. So far, the star has showcased contrasting aesthetics at the festival’s events. At the Grand Tour screening, for example, the actor wore a sequined black jumpsuit with edgy diagonal thigh slits. Another of her looks included an opulent gown by Vietnamese label JoliPoli Couture, which featured bejeweled detailing and various textures. So elegant!
Lay Zhang – China
Multi-hyphenate Chinese star and Peeling global ambassador, Lay Zhang, embraced a black color palette during his three-day run at Cannes. Bringing the monochromatic outfit trend to the film festival, Zhang introduced black-tie elegance in his looks. The actor wore a series of neatly-tailored suits that differed only by subtle details. To add a unique touch to each outfit, Zhang wore statement necklaces from Qeelin such as a silver gourd-shaped necklace that stood out against the dark background of his dress shirts.
Nancy Tyagi – India
Content creator and self-taught fashion designer Nancy Tyagi made her Cannes Festival debut as a guest of Brut India. The fashion influencer wowed the internet with a self-made dress that took 30 days and 1000 meters of fabric to create! Tyagi styled her pastel pink creation (which weighs over 20 kilograms by the way!) with jewelry from the jewelry retailer CaratLane and, most importantly, unmatched confidence. For her second public appearance in Cannes, the content creator paid homage to her country in a dusty lilac saree crafted by — yes you guessed it right — Tyagi herself. So inspiring!
Putri Marino – Indonesia
Indonesian actor Putri Marino returned to La Croisette for the screening of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The star made a big entrance in a custom-made gown by Indonesian designer Stella Rissa. Featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline and draped skirt, the red velvet gown paid homage to Indonesia’s national flower, the Moon Orchid. Further embracing her heritage, Marino sported Indonesian traditional clothing to a L’Oréal event. The look, styled by Yoland Handoko, combined a Lulu Lutfi Labibi top with a batik skirt and traditional adornments by Subeng Klasik.
Omara Shetty – India
Leading the cast of Konstantin Bojanov’s The Shameless, Indian actress Omara Shetty has nailed Cannes fashion in her first attendance at the French film festival. From press activities to red-carpet appearances, the Thane native has stunned with a stylish Louis Vuitton-powered wardrobe. Shetty opted for a silver column gown to walk the Oh Canada red carpet, slipped into a creamy silk satin dress for the premiere of Emilia Perez and switched things up with a white cowl-neck jumpsuit for The Shameless photocall.
Rebecca Patricia Armstrong (Becky) – Thailand
Flaunting style choices straight from the biggest fashionistas’ playbook, Gap: The Series star Rebecca Patricia Armstrong (best known as Becky) made a grand debut at the Cannes Film Festival. The Thai-British actor made her first red carpet appearance at the Oh Canada premiere, accompanied by Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) CEO, Mohammed Al Turki. To mark the occasion, Becky opted for a contemporary and edgy Balenciaga dress that departed from the classic Cannes style. For the rest of her public appearances, Becky moved to the other end of the fashion spectrum, embracing pastel colors and sparkle to attend the Vanity Fair x RSIFF’s Women in Cinema gala and walk the red carpet of Emilia Perez. Talk about versatility!
Sarocha Chankimha (Freen) – Thailand
Honored by the Red Sea International Film Festival and Vanity Fair Europe as one of the six women “transforming the global film landscape,” Thai actor Sarocha Chankimha, also known by the mononym Freen, traveled to Cannes for a series of events. She was first spotted in a summer-ready Ferragamo look at Marché Plage des Palmes for the Variety Global Conversations, where she spoke about representation and diversity in cinema. Later the same day, Freen took over the red carpet of Emilia Perez in a red Eman Al Ajlan gown that EnVi readers crowned as the Best Look of the Week. The Thai sensation closed the night on a high note by attending the “Women in Cinema” gala, clad in an avant-garde HOMOLOG Paris look that is still etched on everybody’s minds.
Tong Liya – China
Chinese actress Tong Liya made a case for the contemporary white dress at the premiere of Oh Canada. The custom Louis Vuitton look featured a body-hugging corset and a structured full-pleated skirt with a front slit and pockets. Adding contrast, the actress — who is attending the event as part of the cast of Black Dog — sported a blue-jewel Chopard necklace and matching ring and bracelet. Tong previously stunned at the Trophée Chopard award ceremony with a black Jean-Louis Sabaji gown embellished with crystals.
Yoona Lim – South Korea
South Korean singer and actress Yoona Lim made her montée des marches at La Croisette as a guest of the Kering-owned jeweler Qeelin. The K-pop and screen star attended the movie screening of Horizon: An American Saga, epitomizing classic femininity. Yoona opted for a pink silk gown by Filipina Designer Monique Lhuillier and Roger Vivier sandals. As for accessories, the King the Land star — who is one of Qeelin’s prominent brand ambassadors and campaign stars — flaunted a lariat necklace and hoop earrings with pink stones that matched the color of her dress.
Zhao Tao – China
In town as part of the Caught by the Tides cast (in competition in the feature film category), Chinese cinema star Zhao Tao has brought demure elegance to Cannes. The actress wore a Dior Haute Couture ensemble worth 1800 hours of embroidery and 600 hours of atelier work to the festival’s opening ceremony. Then, favoring simplicity, she sported a black Louis Vuitton dress to the Caught by the Tides premiere.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival is still underway. Keep an eye on the best celebrity looks at this year’s event here.
