Cover Once called ‘too skinny’, Uttar Pradesh-born YouTuber and influencer Nancy Tyagi rocked her own design at the 77th Cannes Film Festival red carpet
Once called ‘too skinny’, Uttar Pradesh-born YouTuber and influencer Nancy Tyagi rocked her own design at the 77th Cannes Film Festival red carpet
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Once called ‘too skinny’, Uttar Pradesh-born YouTuber and influencer Nancy Tyagi rocked her own design at the 77th Cannes Film Festival red carpet
Amidst the glitz of designer gowns and tuxedos worn by celebrities at the 77th Cannes Film Festival red carpet, Nancy Tyagi stood in a pink ruffled gown with a long, flowy train. The Delhi-based fashion influencer and content creator was wearing a gown she made herself using 1,000 metres of fabric, weighing over 20 kg.
Netizens across India and Nancy’s followers on Instagram had nothing but applause for her Cannes debut, which also garnered praise from stars like Sonam Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar.
Many Instagram users responded to her Cannes appearance with compliments like “Her success feels personal,”, and “It feels like we’ve walked the red carpet with her,” with one commenter offering a heartfelt and eloquent message of appreciation: “We don’t know each other personally. But a woman to another, a dreamer to another—you have done everyone proud.”
Born in a village in Uttar Pradesh, Nancy moved to Delhi with her brother and mother to seek better job opportunities. At the time, her neighbours and relatives remarked that the money spent on developing her career would be better used in marrying her off.
Forced to live on the savings initially set aside for her education, Nancy pivoted and bought herself a camera with hopes of earning money through her videos.
Above Nancy used 1,000 metres of fabric for this Cannes 2024 gown (Photo: Carat Lane jewellery)
Above The red carpet look reportedly weighed over 20kg and took her a month to create (Photo: Carat Lane jewellery)
Nancy used 1,000 metres of fabric for this Cannes 2024 gown (Photo: Carat Lane jewellery)
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As a child, she taught herself to stitch by sewing clothes for her dolls. In her videos, she would recreate designer garments worn by celebrities from scratch, buy fabric from local sellers in Delhi, create the looks in stunning detail, and model them on camera. Early on, she experienced several hate comments and criticism for her videos, claiming she was too skinny and that her videos were ‘cringe’. Though she nearly very quit social media because of it, she continued to improve her design skills and stitching, producing her Outfit from Scratch series of videos, which eventually grew in popularity.
“Now, the same people are showing me love. I don’t have haters anymore. Earlier I used to get comments that I was too skinny, but now the comments come in praising my stitching,” said Nancy in an interview with Brut India.
Nancy created her Cannes 2024 pink gown look using an old sewing machine that her mother, a factory worker, used. It took her a month to create the look. “I poured my heart and soul into creating this pink gown. The journey has been intense, but every moment was worth it. I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the love and support from all of you. This is a dream come true, and I hope my creation dazzles you as much as your support has inspired me,” the influencer posted on her Instagram, which boasts over 1 million followers to date.
Her second look for the festival was a saree featuring intricate hand embroidery, also self-crafted and assembled.
Despite her modest beginnings, Nancy’s small-town-girl roots touched the hearts of many Indian netizens as she stepped out onto the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. Though raw talent doesn’t shield you from negative criticism–such is an influencer’s reality–the young designer’s hard work and creative eye have certainly helped pave the way for her and other aspiring Indian content creators to dream big, no matter where you come from.
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
