10 times Deepika Padukone made heads turn on the red carpet

Deepika Padukone has made an impact on Bollywood not just with her rising career in films but also with her sartorial choices. On a mission to de-stigmatise conversations around mental health, this star also has a penchant for ruling the red carpet. Time and again, Padukone has proven she isn’t afraid to experiment with fashion, be it a giant tulle explosion by Giambattista Valli or a sleek Alex Perry number. Considering the actor is known to have an iconic repertoire of red carpet looks, we pick our top picks of hers which are high on impact and drama.

The star attended the 26th Annual Crystal Awards, which is part of the World Economic Forum, which took place in Davos, Switzerland in an impactful look. She wore a purple gown by Alex Perry. The gown stood out for its eye-catching hue alongside the silhouette. Keeping the focus on the gown, she lightly accessorised the look with chandelier earrings and slicked down waves for the hair. The look was complemented with a subtle smoky eye and nude lips, making sure to keep focus on the sculpted gown.

For her third year on the red carpet at the 72nd edition of Cannes Film festival, Deepika wore the already eye-catching hue in the most over-the-top voluminous tulle layered gown by designer Giambattista Valli, again. The dress played ode to camp fashion and was accessorised with a turban in blush pink. She kept the look simple with little to no jewellery and simple makeup in check.

For the third year at the Cannes film festival, the actor turned heads with her larger-than-life sartorial choices. She wore an impactful black and white gown by designer Peter Dundas. The dress featured a large bow fitted in the centre with a long train. The already statement-making gown was made even more dramatic with winged eyeliner and a high ponytail. Silver bracelets and multi layered hoops were all the accessories needed to complete this look.

Another memorable moment from the 2018 Cannes film festival was Padukone wearing an all-encompassing fuchsia gown by middle eastern designer Ashi Studio, proving once again that she isn’t one to shy away from dramatic gowns—and we’re all for the Big Dress Energy.

In another milestone moment, Deepika Padukone was named in Time’s 100 Most Influential list, making herself as the only Indian actor to be honoured. For the celebrated event, she picked a modern take on the sari by Anamika Khanna. The pristine ivory ensemble was embroidered with floral appliqué work in the designer's signature fashion. Padukone rounded up the look with wine hued lips, kohl eyes and her pulled-back hair, showing off her emerald earrings.

It was in 2017, when Deepika Padukone attended her first ever Met Gala. For the big day, she took the minimal route and donned a satin slip gown by Tommy Hilfiger for the theme ‘Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between’. The look was accented with minimal embellishments along the straps and hemline that matched her hair accessory and elevated the overall outfit.

Rewind back to the earlier years of her career span, and you'll find Padukone in equally glamorous gowns. In 2014, she attended the Vogue Beauty Awards in a black and gold sheath gown, accessorised with chunky gold bangles. 

Looking back, Padukone attended the 2014 Filmfare awards ceremony in a risqué see-through embellished gown by designer Gaurav Gupta. She completed her naked dress look with red lips and side swept hair, making sure we would be remembering this look for a long time to come.

Scroll through her style evolution over the years, and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to trace a resounding majority of her looks back to Sabyasachi. The risk-taker skipped the memo on dramatic gowns, and stepped on the IIFA 2015 ‘green’ carpet in a statement metallic sari instead, draped to perfection on her statuesque form. 

While the couturier's elaborate saris hold a special place in her heart, flip through her Sabyasachi outings in recent years, and you’ll find her asking for more from her clothes. She has been opting for hybrid silhouettes—her recent outfits will make you rethink what you knew about Indian traditional wear. The next year, on the same carpet, Padukone came dressed in a body-skimming ivory lehenga with a sheer cape over her shoulders and back. 

Also read:

5 things you’ll always find in Deepika Padukone’s wardrobe

20 pictures that take you inside Deepika Padukone’s off-duty closet