Shalini Passi is well-known for her phenomenal fashion sense, and she brought her best to the red carpet of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. As soon as the art curator touched the carpet, she had the attention of every eye present at the event. However, her stunning hand-painted gown resonated with another story that was told a year back by another fashion queen, Radhika Merchant.
Shalini Passi’s Cannes 2025 gown and Radhika Merchant’s lehenga had a common factor behind them
Shalini Passi and Radhika Merchant both gave us the most astonishing fashion moments in 2024. However, their stories were further intertwined by two iconic hand-painted fashion moments. Nonetheless, the art techniques were not the only common factor between the two; it was also the hands behind the painting that echoed into each other’s story. As the Delhi-based socialite graced the red carpet at the Cannes 2025 red carpet, her couture gown took us back to another fashion moment. Shalini’s structured gown was a well-defined representation of fashion fused with art.
However, we have seen this story come to life once before. It was in 2024 when Radhika Merchant stunned everyone with her Shubh Aashirwaad ceremony by donning a hand-painted-lehenga. The Ambani choti bahu flaunted the gorgeous lehenga by the renowned designer, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla; however, besides the gorgeous detailing and styling, it was the hand-painting done by none other than Jayasri Burman which made it an absolute masterpiece. For the unversed, Jayasri is an acclaimed painter and sculptor known for her mythologically inspired works.
Fast forward to the Cannes Film Festival 2025, Shalini Passi made an appearance on the red carpet, looking ethereal in a jaw-dropping creation by Manish Malhotra. However, this gown was not an ordinary attire either, it was hand-painted by none other than the Padma Shri awardee, Paresh Maity. The skilled painter infused the designer piece with what could only be compared to visual poetry. The soothing tones and the magnificent details took us on a ride with his famous painting, Longitude 77 Degrees, into a mindful couture.
Shalini Passi shared details about her custom piece by Manish Malhotra
Shalini Passi talked about her experience and shared the experience on Instagram. She called it a custom creation for a journey through India’s rich landscape, culture, and soul. She added that every thread used in the garment told a story and added:
“Manish Malhotra has brought Paresh Maity’s (@pareshmaityofficial) Longitude 77° to life on this custom creation—a journey through India’s rich landscapes, culture, and soul. From the Himalayas to Kanyakumari, every thread tells a story. This isn’t just couture, it’s a canvas, blending my love for art, fashion, and India. Grateful to represent our heritage on a global stage.”
The art curator completed her look with a sleek bun. Shalini further accessorised the attire with a marvellous diamond necklace and earrings. Both iconic outfits are a testament to the skills and talent of Indian designers. Jayasri and Paresh Maity continue to rewrite the story of Indian fashion, one stroke at a time.
What are your thoughts on Shalini Passi and Radhika Merchant’s hand-painted outfits? Let us know.
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