Cannes 2026 emerges as a showcase for Indian high jewellery, where Art Deco silhouettes, Victorian influences and meticulous Jaipur techniques converge. Alia Bhatt’s diamond Bow Necklace and the Golconda Rosé coral creation, alongside Kalyani Priyadarshan’s gemstone statement, underline how Indian maisons preserve artisanal depth while appealing to modern luxury consumers seeking story-rich, globally relevant pieces.
Art Deco pieces informed by a decidedly Victorian-era aesthetic are enjoying the spotlight at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. For the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Dinner at Cannes, Alia Bhatt wore the Bow Necklace Set from the Art Deco collection by Sunita Shekhawat, styled by Rhea Kapoor. The dazzling piece, crafted with 26.43 carats of diamonds and rose-cut diamonds, lent gravitas to the actor's India Modern ensemble.
Defined by clean geometry and a sculptural bow-inspired silhouette, the necklace channelled the glamour of the Art Deco era through a distinctly contemporary lens. Moreover, the interplay of brilliance, symmetry, and fine craftsmanship lent the look both softness and strength on the red carpet. It's easy to deduce that the appearance brought Indian high jewellery into conversation with global fashion in a way that felt timeless and effortlessly modern.
Here are some key high jewellery trends which emerged at Cannes 2026 so far.
Sunita Shekhawat, founder-creative director of the eponymous brand, believes the necklace reflects the essence of Indian luxury through its craftsmanship and the way it bridges heritage with timeless design. "Seeing Alia wear the Bow Necklace felt like a beautiful representation of how Indian jewellery can carry historical richness while still feeling contemporary and globally relevant," she says. Cannes is the ideal platform to showcase Indian craft traditions globally, and with Alia's outing, the timeless Indian jewellery artistry has once again received the spotlight and attention it deserves.
"Cannes is an important platform for showcasing the depth and refinement of Indian craftsmanship to the world. I feel global luxury today is moving towards pieces with authenticity, artistry, and a strong sense of story — qualities deeply rooted in Indian jewellery traditions. With Alia wearing a Victorian-inspired design interpreted through Indian craftsmanship, it highlighted how indigenous savoir-faire can shape a more timeless and artisanal vision of modern luxury," she adds. 2026 can easily be hailed as the year of Art Deco pieces, sculptural metals, and luscious gemstones. Victoriana is also having a moment. A case in point is Margot Robbie wearing a replica of Charlotte Brontë's hair bracelet by Jessica McCormack for the London premiere of Wuthering Heights.
For the opening ceremony, Bhatt chose a custom Amrapali Jewels necklace featuring 168.27 carats of rare pink coral centred around a 5.53-carat Golconda diamond, paired with square-cut Chopard earrings, and an Asscher-cut diamond ring. For Tarang Arora, CEO and creative director at Amrapali Jewels, the Golconda Rosé represents a very refined and confident expression of Indian luxury, one that speaks fluently to the global luxury audience. Presenting a piece like this at Cannes allows Indian high jewellery to be viewed in the same conversation as the finest maisons internationally.
Tarang observes that there is a growing global appreciation for jewellery that carries authenticity, intricacy, and a sense of origin, and Indian jewellery naturally possesses all three at an extraordinary level. Indian jewellery traditions, especially from regions like Jaipur, have centuries of expertise in gemstone cutting, detailed setting, enamelling, and handcrafted detailing. "These techniques bring a richness that the global luxury market is increasingly valuing. Alia wearing the Golconda Rosé at Cannes reflects how Indian high jewellery today is no longer being seen only through a traditional or bridal lens. The modern luxury consumer appreciates pieces that have heritage but also sophistication and restraint, and I think Indian craftsmanship is uniquely positioned to shape that future," adds Tarang.
Another jewellery highlight was Malayalam actor Kalyani Priyadarshan's exquisite jewellery from Kalyan Jewellers, which she offset with a white ensemble. She wore a composition of rare colours and impeccable geometry — 11 gemstones (ruby, tourmaline, crystal, peridot) set in 14 k white gold with 535 natural diamonds. A total of 45 days of artisanal precision distilled into this statement-making piece.
It's interesting how the dated perception of Indian jewellery of being 'bridal' and 'old school' in the global market has changed drastically. Indian high jewellery houses have endeavoured to preserve the soul of Indian artistry while presenting it in a way that feels modern, collectable, and internationally aspirational. Cannes becomes a powerful stage for that dialogue between craft and contemporary luxury.