Exclusive | Cannes 2025: Indian designer Payal Khandwala dives into Payal Kapadia’s radiant look

Mumbaibased filmmaker Payal Kapadia returned to the Cannes Film Festival this year as a jury member not only celebrating cinema but also fashion with her understated yet sophisticated sense of styleOnly last year Kapadiarsquos film lsquoAll We Imagine As Lightrsquo won the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival With all eyes on her this time around the filmmaker whose international accolades are testament to her cinematic excellence appeared at the photocall in a unique avatar that was still the filmmaker just being herself This is an aspect of her personality that Mumbaibased designer Payal Khandwala not only understands but knows how to translate into statement ensemblesIt is no surprise then that Kapadia donned an outfit by the designerrsquos label for the jury photocall on the opening day of Cannes 2025 on May 13 The handwoven silk ensemble which was styled by Indrakshi Pattanaik featured a structured yet fluid red skirt and a relaxedfit blue shirt It was one of two ensembles she pulled off on the day ndash the other was by the label Rishta by Arjun SalujaPayal Kapadia second from left in an ensemble by Payal Khandwala during the photocall on opening day of Cannes 2025 Pic AFPDeconstructing Payal Kapadiarsquos look Talking to midday about the look Khandwala reveals ldquoIt is handwoven silk in our signature jewel colours It has structure but also drape and the sheen makes it luxurious dramatic even but in a very subtle way The colours just so happened to be the colours of the French flag But that was more a happy coincidence than a strategyrdquoThe outfit perfectly captured Kapadiarsquos fussfree outlook towards fashion ldquoShe picked what she responded to a bold but minimal architectural silhouette that was strong but also comfortablerdquo the Mumbaibased designer states Interestingly this is not the first time that the two collaborated for a global event Kapadia had worn a black silk jumpsuit by Khandwalarsquos label at the Golden Globes Awards earlier this yearAs cinema and fashion go handinhand at global awards shows and film festivals the designer reveals a side of Kapadia that many may not know She says ldquoPayal knows what she wants she has clarity and it was refreshing to hear she doesnrsquot care too much about fashion This made her an instant fit for us She is warm and easygoing and had other priorities which she didnrsquot conflate with her red carpet appearance and that was a breath of fresh air Shersquos talented and quietly confident so it was rather easy to collaborate with herrdquoIt was easy because Khandwala says she is a designer who likes stillness especially in a world full of visual clutter and noise ldquoItrsquos nice to pause and slow down Now perhaps more than ever before Both personally and professionally I would pick a whisper over a shout every single time Itrsquos how I like to live my life how I like to dress and our clothes reflect thatrdquo she expressesWomen designing for women While Kapadia and Khandwala collaborating seems natural the latter believes that women designing for women presents an advantage She explains ldquoAs women We know and understand our bodies ndash what we want to reveal what we donrsquot We have access to our own bodies and psychology each day this can certainly help us make more informed choices when we design clothes for other women ndash about how they want to look and feel how they think and how they want to be perceived This is our differentiator ndash clothes that are a bit more considered and have more intent in the most honest wayrdquoIt is also why she hopes that the spotlight shines on Indian female fashion designers as celebrities are opting for homegrown labels on global stages and Kapadia is one such exampleWant to style the outfit worn by Payal Kapadia at Cannes Here are three tips by the designer1 Styling it with the shirt buttoned up and an accessory popped under the collar like Payal did is a great option 2 For a slightly less formal look one can opt for the shirt buttoned down with long layered brass or silver chains with charms 3 Just earrings or just an exaggerated cuff would work for those who like the lessismore aestheticatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params