Indian-Thai model Veena Praveenar Singh adds stardust to the iconic Cannes red carpet

The 78th Cannes Film Festival officially kicked off in France on Monday, May 13, marking the start of one of the most prestigious events in global cinema. Renowned not only for celebrating cinematic excellence with the coveted Palme d’Or but also for its glamorous red carpet and exclusive after-parties, Cannes is where fashion and film collide in spectacular harmony.This year, however, the festival unveiled a stricter red carpet dress code—banning long trains, voluminous gowns, and sheer fabrics in the name of elegance and “decency.” Amidst the newly imposed sartorial chaos, Indian-Thai model Veena Praveenar Singh emerged as a radiant exception, effortlessly turning heads while still playing by the rules.A sparkling ball gown that danced on the edge of restrictionAttending the screening of Dossier 137, Veena made a breathtaking entrance in a custom Michael Cinco creation that channelled a modern-day fairytale. Her grey-silver ball gown featured layered sleeveless straps, a sculpted corset bodice, a cinched waist, and a dramatic flared hem with a subtle train, just short enough to stay within the guidelines, but bold enough to make a red carpet statement.Accentuating the gown’s shimmer, she adorned herself with a dazzling set of diamonds, think statement necklace, stacked rings, a dainty bracelet, and matching earrings. With her hair slicked back into a neat, centre-parted low bun, her beauty look leaned into high-glam sophistication: winged eyeliner, smokey brown eyeshadow, flushed cheeks, dewy skin, and a matte nude pout. The result? A perfectly balanced look that had photographers scrambling to capture her glow.Serene in silk: A second look to rememberFor her second appearance, Veena switched gears into a sleek turquoise-blue silk gown that celebrated subtlety. The strapless silhouette hugged her frame elegantly, with a delicate side train adding just the right touch of drama. She kept the accessories consistent with sparkling diamond pieces, while her understated makeup and soft waves exuded effortless charm.Rule-follower, scene-stealerIn a year where rebellion seemed tempting, Veena Praveenar Singh stood out by embracing creativity within constraint. Her Cannes 2025 looks proved that elegance doesn’t need excess and when paired with smart styling, even rules can be runway-worthy.From a twinkling ballgown to a serene silk moment, Veena was undeniably one of the early fashion triumphs of the festival.