When it comes to Indian traditional women outfits- saree is the epitome of elegance and sophistication. Once just refrained to the Indian subcontinent, these six yards today have been adorned by various international celebrities and bigwigs, providing a major push to the cultural and traditional heritage of India.
From Reality star Kim Kardashian’s racy avatar to Oprah’s finesse style, let’s take a look at 10 Hollywood celebs who graced the saree.
Elizabeth Hurley
We still remember the iconic moment in 2002, when Elizabeth Hurley made jaws drop with her pink Versace saree on the red carpet for her film premiere. Over the years, she has given us many memorable saree moments, including the infamous “see through” outfit.
The 59 year old actor, was recently spotted in Mumbai, draped in a floral printed crepe saree, designed by Rohit Bal.
She knows her sarees and definitely knows how to pull it off!
Lady Gaga
While attending a Mumbai event in 2011, Lady Gaga wore a white saree designed by Tarun Tahiliani. Her white 6 yard attire was adorned in chain details, ravishingly blending Indian and avant garde style. The Poker face singer paired the saree with a modern twist on the traditional blouse,channelising a contemporary design which included a structured, corset-like top with a daring backless, which went right along with her signature fashion aesthetic.
Julia Roberts
The OG Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts adorned various traditional Gujarati outfits in Eat Pray Love, most notably a Gujarati style green silk saree.
The saree boasts of golden zari patterns across its frame and features detailed and exquisite designs. Watching Julia draped in those 6 yards was a sight to behold for audiences across the globe, making it a poised introduction for those unfamiliar with the attire.
Selena Gomez
Pop sensation Selena Gomez dazzled her fans back in 2014, when she slipped into an orange saree for a charity event in Nepal. The Come and Get It singer sported a small red bindi which screamed finesse and class.
Her saree was in shades of deep red and royal blue, highlighting intricate gold embroidery and light sequin work that became a phenomenon on social media, amassing over 10 million likes!.
Zendaya
Euphoria star Zendaya turned heads last year when she walked down the red carpet at Mumbai, wearing a one shoulder saree. Designed by Rahul Mishra, Zendaya’s iconic saree was inspired by the designer’s “Cosmos” collection, which boasted of excellent hand embroidery (golden birds, stars and whatnot) all the way to the bralette. The outfit took 3000 hours of craftsmanship by multiple artists and we were not disappointed!.
Kim Kardashian
US Television personality Kim Kardashian sizzled in a red saree last year at the high profile Ambani’s extravaganza at Jamnagar. Her saree was crafted by Manish Malhotra with exquisite details featuring a short gleamy blouse with a low neckline and off-shoulder sleeves embellished with red tassels, making it a bold and alluring feast for one’s eyes.
Kim definitely knows how to steal the show!.
Gigi Hadid
Supermodel Gigi Hadid stunned the world when she draped a custom saree created by Indian designer Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla in 2023 at Mumbai. Her entire look served as a blend of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary grace and elegance. She went for a shimmering ivory saree adorned with delicate chikankari embroidery paired with a gold blouse. The classic gold bangles and earrings perfectly complemented the outfit.
Pamela Anderson
Baywatch star Pamela Anderson dazzled in a white saree, during her appearance on Bigg Boss. The white traditional outfit reflected simplicity and elegance, tailored to vibe with her personality. It was a soft pastel chiffon saree that was garnished with silver embroidery and beadwork. The plunging halter-neck blouse added a racy edge to the conventional ensemble, complimenting Pamela’s carefree and sensual persona.
Oprah
Talk show queen Oprah draped a beautiful orange and gold saree during her visit to India in 2012. Meticulously designed by Tarun Tahiliani, the saree emphasized a traditional look with modest proportions, complementing Oprah’s finesse and poignance. Adorned with elegant gold earrings, bangles and a bindi on her forehead, Oprah made the world take notice!
Naomi Campbell
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has visited India on multiple occasions and has walked for Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra. It all started back in 2009 she walked down the ramp in a beautiful black and gold saree during the Lakme fashion week.
She reunited with the traditional outfit on the red carpet of the 2023 Met Gala, where she stole the show in a stunning saree-style gown.
Her fusion of traditional elegance with an essence of modernity, was applauded by the entire fashion world.
The versatility of stylizing a saree literally has no bounds and the grace and courteousness it represents makes it truly- “timelessly iconic”, just like the women who have adorned it for centuries.
