Cannes [France], June 5: Amidst the flashbulbs, flowing gowns, and cinematic grandeur of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, a quieter, more meaningful fashion moment took centre stage. Indian-origin designer Kritika Kohli, now based in Paris, made her much-anticipated red carpet debut — not with spectacle, but with soul. Draped in a bespoke creation by her brand Maison Candelè, Kritika’s presence symbolised a powerful fusion of cultures, craftsmanship, and conscience.
Her gown, elegant yet understated, shimmered not with sequins but with stories. Woven from eco-conscious, vegan fabrics, delicately hand-embroidered by Indian artisans, and tailored to perfection in her Paris atelier, the piece was a tribute to everything she stands for — slow fashion, cross-cultural design, and sustainability that doesn’t compromise on style.
“For me, Cannes wasn’t just a red carpet — it was a platform to tell the story of who we are and what we stand for,” Kritika says, her voice steady yet emotional. “Maison Candelè was born out of a desire to build something timeless — a brand where Indian soul meets Parisian sophistication, and where every thread holds meaning.”
A Journey from Delhi to Paris
Kritika’s design journey began in Delhi, where she first fell in love with the textures and traditions of Indian textiles. But it was in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, that she found her vision sharpening into a global voice. Today, she calls the City of Light her home — and it’s there that Maison Candelè came to life, built brick by brick with intent, identity, and integrity.
“I wanted to create a label that didn’t just make garments — but told stories through fabric and form,” she explains. “Our roots lie in India, but our wings spread through France. The result is something truly unique — a new design language that reflects two cultures, one purpose.”
And that purpose is clear: to redefine luxury by placing ethics at the centre of elegance. Every piece by Maison Candelè is made using cruelty-free materials, zero-waste production processes, and limited runs that value artistry over excess. Her team works closely with Indian karigars (artisans), empowering them economically while preserving age-old techniques — from hand-embroidery and block printing to weaving and natural dyeing.
Cannes as a Global Statement
Her debut at Cannes 2025 comes at a pivotal moment — the festival marks the 10th anniversary of “Women in Cinema”, a global platform that celebrates female voices reshaping the creative industries. Kritika’s presence, alongside filmmakers, actors, and art, walking the red carpet in a piece that is handmade, sustainable, and rooted in culture, that felt like a quiet rebellion, made a silent but strong statement: fashion too, is a form of activism,” she says. “Because glamour doesn’t have to be blind. It can be aware, grounded, and still breathtaking.”
For critics and connoisseurs alike, the Maison Candelè gown stood out not for being the loudest, but for being the most thoughtful. In a space dominated by spectacle, Kritika’s work brought a moment of reflection.
Redefining Global Indian Fashion
Kritika’s journey is part of a larger wave — one where Indian designers are no longer just responding to global trends but setting them. But her approach stands apart. Unlike traditional luxury labels that focus solely on heritage or western labels that push minimalism, Maison Candelè fuses both. It’s not East vs. West — it’s East and West, in dialogue.
“Our aesthetic is what I call ‘conscious couture’ — it’s where sari drapes meet French silhouettes, where Indian stories meet Parisian lines,” she explains. “It’s not about blending in — it’s about standing out, mindfully.”
Her collections have already been featured in select Parisian showrooms and have caught the attention of stylists, editors, and celebrities looking for something that feels authentic, global, and grounded.
But perhaps what makes her most compelling is her unwavering clarity of vision. In an industry often seduced by speed, Kritika insists on slowing down. Maison Candelè produces in small batches, offers full transparency on sourcing, and encourages clients to buy less, but better.
A Cultural Moment, A Personal Milestone
For Kritika, the red carpet was more than a professional milestone — it was a personal full circle. “I come from a land of weavers, storytellers, and traditions. And now I live in a city that taught me refinement, structure, and global expression,” she says. “This moment is proof that we can hold both — our roots and our evolution — and let them shine together.”
Back in India, her Cannes appearance is already inspiring a new generation of designers, particularly women, to dream differently. To know that you don’t have to choose between heritage and modernity, or between creativity and conscience — you can carry both, with grace.
The Future Is Handcrafted
As the curtains fall on Cannes 2025, the lasting image isn’t just of glitz or glamour, but of a woman who walked the red carpet with meaning in every stitch. Kritika Kohli didn’t just showcase a gown. She showcased a movement. One who believes in beauty that respects the planet, honours the past, and imagines a better future.
In a world increasingly fatigued by fast fashion and surface-level aesthetics, Maison Candelè offers something rare—a sense of purpose, woven into elegance.
And that, perhaps, is the most luxurious thing of all.
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