Aishwarya at Cannes: A Photo Story from 2002 Through 2019

As the former Miss World, subsequent actor, mother of one, wife of Abhishek Bachchan, Loreal global ambassador (phew!) celebrates her 46th birthday, we take a walk down the memory lane with her best Cannes red carpet looks. Considering she's one of the first Cannes-constants from India, there are many. 2002 Long before Rihanna's brighter-than-the-sun, yellow, Guo Pei dress (a.k.a The Omelet Dress) made waves on the Met Gala red carpet back in 2015, there was Aishwarya's Neeta Lulla saree. But, before we condemn her sartorial choices from 17-years ago, let's not forget that the Y2K is best remembered by Britney and Justin's matching denim-on-denim outfits from 2001's AMA. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya Rai in Neeta Lulla 2003 She looks more red-carpet-ready in this powder pink Greecian off-shoulder gown when compared to its predecessor. The deep side part and slicked-back hair look lends some much-needed oomph and has a definite one-up when compared to the plain-Jane blowout. Embed from Getty Images 2004 Remember Bella Hadid's risque red Roberto Cavalli gown from Cannes this year? Well, consider this silver sequin-studded cut out gown from Neeta Lulla as its older, modest cousin. She burst on to the international scene as L'Oréal's global ambassador - of course, the slicked-back hair had to give way to tousled curls. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya Rai in Neeta Lulla 2005 Tousled waves get better and so does the actor's choice of gowns. Here's Aishwarya in a semi-sheer black Gucci gown. Until she wears something from Tom Ford's eponymous label, this gown is the designer's contribution to her Cannes wardrobe. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya wearing Gucci 2006 The former miss world seems to have found her sartorial footing. Both her chutzpah and the snug-fitting Elie Saab dress that she wore fearlessly with a serpentine necklace have the critics' nod of approval. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab Couture 2007 For her first appearance post her marriage to Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya chooses this befitting Giorgio Armani off-shoulder gown. The metallic eye-shadow and the crystal-encrusted choker may seem like much in terms of 2019, but she was nailing the Noughties #OTT trend just right. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya Rai wearing Giorgio Armani 2008 Aishwarya makes an appearance alongside her fellow L'Oréal ambassadors in a black Elie Saab gown with harness-like sleeves. The hair goes from blowouts to messy bouffant bun: The hair zeitgeist of the late Noughties. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab 2009 One of the most noteworthy outfits so far, the strapless, floor-sweeping, tiered pristine white Roberto Cavalli dress makes a smart red carpet choice - safe, sure, but smart, too. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya wearing Roberto Cavalli 2010 The indian sarees makes a comeback on the Cannes red carpet circa the Neeta Lulla phase, and this time via a Sabyasachi creation. We love how the hair has gone back to being slick and middle-parted. The no-jewelry look is a welcome change, too. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya wearing Sabyasachi  2011 By now it's established that the actor has made Elie Saab her Cannes red carpet mainstay. Instead of choosing an A-line silhouette, though, the actor experiments with a peplum variant and it seems to pay off. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab 2012 The actor makes her first post-partum red carpet appearance in a modest Elie Saab creation with the kind of confidence that comes naturally only to a pageant winner. She remained undeterred by the Fashion Police's relentless comments on the new mother's weight gain. Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab 2013 The actor moves to an elegant one-shoulder column indian dress by Gucci, sans jewelry. We like the hair that's been tied into a top knot - inspired by Chinese orientalism. Embed from Getty Images  Aishwarya Rai in Gucci 2014 Plain-Jane hairstyles give way to bombshell blowout to match the oomph of the golden bustier-top-mermaid-bottom Roberto Cavalli gown. One of her most flamboyant looks, no? Embed from Getty Images Wearing Roberto Cavalli 2015 Embed from Getty Images Aishwarya in Elie Saab for amfAR Gala 2015 Off-shoulder dresses seem to be the MVP component of the actor's closet. Her eyeball-grabbing appearance in this asymmetrical hem Ralph & Russo dress is proof. Embed from Getty Images Wearing the British designer duo, Ralph & Russo 2016 Elie Saab makes a comeback on the red carpet in the form of this beige A-line dress that's doing wonders in accentuating her shapely waist. Oxblood lips and nails and the classic French-girl hair is the recipe for elevating the overall look! Embed from Getty Images  Aishwarya in Elie Saab couture 2017 Embed from Getty Images 2017 'Nuff words have been spent in appreciating this dress. Dubbed 'The Cinderella Dress' by international media, this ballroom-worthy dress by designer Michael Cinco was one of the highlights of Cannes 2017. Embed from Getty Images In a Michael Cinco gown 2018 Just when you thought that there's nothing to upend Aishwarya's 'Cinderella' Michael Cinco dress, the actor makes an appearance in yet another one of the Filipino designer's creations. This time a bodycon gown with paisley-like motifs and a breathtaking train. Embed from Getty Images In a Michael Cinco bodycon dress 2019 The actor seems to be embracing the 2019's need for bling. The python-skin-detailed, one-shoulder holographic dress by couturier Jean-Louis Sabaji is one of the most daring looks, both for the actor and on the Cannes red carpet in general. Although the jury is still out on this look, it's nice to see Aishwarya move away from safe choices (think: Elie Saab). Embed from Getty Images In Jean-Louis Sabaji Couture This only makes us wonder what 2020 has in store. Which one of these was your favourite look? Let us know in the comments!