Cannes Film Festival 2026: Asian stars who stole the red carpet spotlight, from Alia Bhatt to Lay Zhang

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt arrived in a custom strapless peach gown by Tamara Ralph, its corseted silhouette defined by a daring cutout neckline. The masterstroke? A matching chiffon dupatta—India’s traditional draped scarf—worn with elegant intention, bridging Western couture with South Asian heritage. Completing the look: the Amrapali Golconda Rose necklace, centred on a rare diamond set among pink coral. It was cultural storytelling, perfected.

As a member of the nine-person jury chaired by Park Chan-wook, Chinese-American Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao navigated the red carpet with the same quiet assurance that defines her filmmaking. Her long black lace-and-mesh gown, cut to a high neckline with intricate ruffling, used transparency with a considered, almost architectural intent. Loose, natural waves preserved her sense of authenticity, while the overall Gothic elegance aligned with the bohemian tone of the opening film La Vénus Électrique.

Actor Zhang Tianqi delivered a genre-defying look at the opening night: a black velvet suit featuring a cascade of 3D silver and crystal floral embroidery sweeping from the shoulder down the lapel in a shimmering sculptural flourish. A forest-green velvet bow tie introduced a chromatic break from the evening’s dominant monochrome palette. Dandy-inspired yet undeniably commanding, the ensemble placed him at the forefront of gender-blurring power suiting.

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If spectacle was the brief, Chinese singer and performing artist Chang Sisi delivered in magnificent excess. Her strapless black sequined gown was almost entirely eclipsed by an enormous pink organza-and-tulle wrap, its surface alive with 3D floral textures and a voluminous train that dominated the Palais des Festivals staircase. The cloud-like, cinematic effect was no accident—a deliberate counterpoint to the minimalist currents flowing elsewhere on the 2026 red carpet.

Chinese actress, singer and songwriter Shaking Xie (Xie Keyin) delivered one of the opening night’s most theatrical moments in a black sequined fishtail gown flowing into a structured train, its drama heightened by a white ruffled bustier. Crystal-embellished black opera gloves elevated the look further, catching every camera flash on the Palais steps. A diamond necklace and earrings, paired with a polished updo, completed her golden-age Hollywood homage.

Chinese singer Lay Zhang (Zhang Yixing) opted for a dark brown suit paired with a black dress shirt—worn tieless, with an ease that felt entirely intentional. The relaxed, open-collar silhouette struck a balance between refinement and youthful modernity, offering a study in tonal dressing that skewed quietly luxurious without flourish. In a sea of black tuxedos, the warm brown palette alone was a statement.

Among an evening defined by volume, embroidery and cultural spectacle, Thai singer and actor Mike Angelo (Pirat Nitipaisalkul) offered restraint. His traditional black tuxedo—crisp white shirt, perfectly proportioned black bow tie—was a study in the enduring power of the classic formal silhouette. Personalised with a statement silver ring bearing a large central stone and subtle earrings, the look acknowledged the evolving bejewelled aesthetic in male entertainment, proving that the most assured style statement is often the most timeless.

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