15 stunning years of Aishwarya at Cannes (including the purple perplex)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a constant reminder to us lesser mortals that a thing of beauty is a source of depression forever.

The global icon is so flawless that it must be a Herculean task to design anything that would do her justice. Add her penchant for diplomacy and an icy cool image and any designer is set to fail. It's perhaps because of her stunning looks, and not despite them, the actress has faltered many a time on the red carpet.

But a look at her Cannes appearances over the years will show you that with baby missteps the gorgeous actress has finally got her style sensibilities in line with international trends.

Let's make it a teachable moment. How do you adapt Aishwarya's top couture looks to your boardroom? Or more practically, to your neighbour's sangeet? We can help.

This year

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who is known to play it safe, shocked everybody and their stylist with her purple lips. While disbelieving fans double-checked the hue, they found that lips don't lie. It was purple, it was Aishwarya, and it was perplexing. She paired the purple lips with a Rami Kadi gown, and many wondered if the dress had a hole the lips were meant to distract from. From kalakhatta to blackberry ice-cream, social media was saturated with jokes. But to be fair, Rai represents a cosmetics giant, and the colour on India's beauty icon could be the company's way of testing the waters in the Indian market for their OTT shade. Well the verdict is in, those lips put the err in purple.

Also read - 15 years of Aishwarya at Cannes and we get purple lips?

Cop it: Lilac lips are better suited for Rue De La Paix than Linking road. But if you must try purple closer home then go for a darker and warmer shade, which is better suited to the Indian complexion. You can snag one from your friendly neighborhood store even: we're talking about the ubiquitous berry lipstick.

Ash flashback

1. The ex-beauty queen made her Cannes debut in 2002 at the premiere of Devdas. Accompanied by her director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and leading man Shah Rukh Khan, she went the traditional route. Clad in a golden Neeta Lulla saree and weighed down by what looked like all the gold in the Indian coffers, Aishwarya's beauty still managed to shine through and made the world sit up and take notice.

Cop it: If you have a Malayali wedding to attend, this exact look might still be in fashion. No, that's not racist when I say it because I'm a South-Indian.

2. Aishwarya returned to Cannes in 2003 as a jury member, she went the traditional route again and chose friend Neeta Lulla to design again. A green saree with her hair done up in a top knot, she played it safe and she played it bad. The look fell flat and earned her a lot of flak.

Cop it: If you have a similar green saree, you can make a cushion cover out of it to cry into for your poor fashion choices.

3. Aishwarya glammed it up in 2004, she was walking as the brand ambassador of L'Óreal for the first time, an association that has continued till now and she continued her association with Neeta Lulla as well. It was a risqué shimmery cut out gown that didn't fit well but strangely managed to flatter the stunner despite that.

Cop it: Ever been invited to a "Shine bright like a diamond" theme party and didn't know what to wear? Well, me neither. But now you do.

4. In 2005, Aishwarya opened the film festival at the French Riviera, which was the first for an Indian. A black Gucci gown with a short train and a plunging neckline showcased the stunner like never before.

Cop it: This is a study in seduction. A decade is mercifully sufficient time for couture to become high-street It shouldn't be too difficult to get a similar dress for the next black tie event you're invited to. And definitely wear it if your significant other's ex has RSVPed yes.

5. Aishwarya starrer Provoked was screened at Cannes in 2006. Aishwarya hit it out of the ball park again in a midnight blue Roberto Cavalli gown and a trend setting snake choker.

Cop it: A snake bracelet was all the rage one season ago. It's a pity we didn't write this back then.

6. Abhishek Bachchan made his Cannes debut alongside wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 2007. Mani Ratnam's Guru starring the then newly-married couple was screened and so was the teaser of the magnum opus Jodhaa Akbar. Aishwarya kept it simple in an ethereal Giorgio Armani gown with an imposing diamond choker.

Cop it: Her choker is proof that you can never wear too many diamonds. Try a heavy diamond choker just peeking out of a buttoned up white shirt. Extra points if you can get your husband to sport this look.

7. In 2008, Aishwarya attended the Cannes film festival with her family in tow, she was flanked by her husband Abhishek Bachchan, and in-laws Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan. Out of her all her looks, the fuschia pink Cavalli she wore to the Vicky Cristina Barcelona première would go down as one of her best looks.

Cop it: A fuschia pink pleated scarf is the perfect addition to a cool-toned outfit to set off the Indian complexion. If you must have an agenda, let it be magenta.

8. In 2009, Aishwarya was a vision in white at Cannes. The white Cavalli gown with a tiered skirt might have looked like a wedding cake on anyone else but the diva managed to pull it off with aplomb.

Cop it: Just what the doctor ordered to wear to your frenemy's church wedding. Your therapist doesn't like this doctor.

9. Raavan premiered at Cannes in 2010, and Aishwarya accompanied by husband Abishek kept it simple yet stunning in a fail safe gold Sabyasachi. A severe updo and a simple blouse helped keep the spotlight firmly on the shimmering saree.

Cop it: When you're meeting your boyfriend's parents for the first time at a wedding this is perfect sanskaari outfit to lull them into think they're getting a big fat dowry. Little do they know you've bought this saree on EMI after selling your family car.

10. 2011 saw Aishwarya at her most futuristic yet. She cut a fine figure in a structured two toned Armani Prive. The monochrome palette provided the perfect backdrop for her dramatic blue and gold smokey eye.

Cop it: Wear it with two buns to the next Star Wars/Star Trek special screening. Better yet, organise one.

11. All eyes were on Aishwarya at the Cannes red carpet in 2012. Back home in India her post natal weight gain was the talk of the town. But Aishwarya embraced her curves and her post-baby body and rocked an Elie Saab, which won her the admiration of international media and style gurus across the world.

Cop it: Update this to 2016 by snagging a fawn/nude version with a short hemline. You'll be the hostess with the mostest sparkle at your candlelight soiree.

12. After a series of monochromes, Aishwarya finally opted for colours on the red carpet in 2013. She attended the premier of Cleopatra in a fittingly regal teal Gucci Premiere gown complemented by hot pink lips. A sculpted hairdo was just the icing the outfit needed.

Cop it: Be a Scarlett O'Hara, in reverse. You can never have too many satin curtains in your parlour.

13. By 2014 Aishwarya had dropped the pounds and was back to her svelte self. She made her most dazzling appearance yet in a gold Roberto Cavalli gown with a bold red lip. A flying kiss here, a wave there and her A-game on the red carpet, this was Aishwarya at her uninhibited best. That outfit and those pictures have become definitive of the golden actress.

Cop it: Teach your daughter that mermaids are real by twirling around her in this.

14. Last year an on trend voluminous Ralph and Russo with muted makeup did the trick for Aishwarya. With dramatic ruffles, the dress provided just the right amount of oomph on the red carpet.

Cop it: Visit your friendly neighbourhood Gauri and Nainika store for the perfect ruffles for Sunday brunch.