Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s final Cannes 2019 look took 495 hours to create

The red carpet makes a fine platform for Sonam Kapoor Ahuja to show off her sartorial prowess, and her choices for Cannes 2019 definitely took things up a notch. Yesterday marked Kapoor Ahuja’s last day in the French Riviera, and for her final show-stopping outfit, the actor looked towards her favourite London-based designer duo, Ralph & Russo. But instead of picking a voluminous gown or a hybrid version of a lehenga (remember the one she wore last year at Cannes?), the actor surprised everyone by opting for a tailored suit.

“When Sonam and I first started talking about this year’s Cannes Film Festival, I suggested right from the start that we go for a tuxedo look as I felt it would be very different for the red carpet, and also something Sonam has never done before—at least on the carpet,” says Tamara Ralph, creative director and co-founder at Ralph & Russo. “Once this was determined, I felt something modern, clean, chic—and a bit sexy—would look amazing on her, and so the white tuxedo was born. I was also inspired by a similar piece from our spring/summer 2019 couture collection,” she adds. The most astounding detail? The piece took a total 495 hours to create. “Out of the 495 hours, 115 hours were dedicated to pattern cutting, and the remaining 380 to fittings, sewing and alterations,” Ralph reveals.

Decoding Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s Ralph & Russo outfit

Dressed in a silk crepe tailleur with a dramatic overskirt, complete with a two-metre long train, Kapoor Ahuja’s outfit brought together the best of both worlds. Ralph says, “With the train, I wanted to keep an element of drama and strength—especially with this being the red carpet and the Cannes Film Festival specifically. It transformed the look into a different one altogether—essentially part gown, part tuxedo.” Kapoor Ahuja skipped the shirt inside, instead choosing to accentuate the plunging neckline with a multi-tiered emerald necklace by Chopard that beautifully offset the white tuxedo.

The stark white hue of the Cannes veteran’s last outfit was a deliberate decision as well. “When we got to the stage of talking colours, we agreed on something very fresh—and what could be more perfect than a crisp white? It’s also very much in keeping with the season, and personally, I love Sonam in white,” Ralph says. To round things off, the actor looked to an elegant pair of pointed-toe heels by Jimmy Choo, and a simple beauty look comprising a middle-parted low bun, kohl-lined cat-eyes and nude lips.

Scroll through our gallery to go behind the scenes into the making of Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s tailored suit for Cannes 2019.

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