Cannes 2015: Fashion tips for Aishwarya Rai, Katrina Kaif, Mallika Sherawat and others

It's that time of the year when desi fashionistas, glued to their Instagram and Twitter feeds, tend to cringe at the thought of the Cannes red carpet. Indian beauties have, over the years, turned the revered international runway into a junkyard of garish gowns and tacky styling, leaving stylistas flailing their arms in desperation, as the stars' deadbeat styles sink faster than a leaking boat.

However, this time's 68th Annual Cannes Film Festival was a turnaround for Bollywood beauties, as the title of best-dressed diva switched hands in the most unexpected manner. While the world eagerly awaited fashion's diva Sonam Kapoor's appearances, alas, the actress became a victim of her own experimentation. Once the hoots and applause faded over her beautiful Ralph & Russo Couture blue gown, the flaws in detail began to peer out - heavy bags lined the 29-year-old's otherwise fresh features, aging her unnecessarily. While, that could still have been an excusable omission, her overly "chirpy" Elie Saab Couture feathery gown in soft yellow ruffled many feathers amongst the fash frat. Sadly, it wasn't long before the internet exploded with jokes and memes comparing her to the character "Big Bird" from children's television show Sesame Street, while others likened her to an ostrich, a feather duster, and other exotic avian critters. The style gamble didn't pay off, even with Bollywood's most fashion-forward sisters on the job, and just like that, Sonam Kapoor lost her self-proclaimed title of being a "fashionista" and trend-setter.

In sharp contrast, fashion's "repeat-offender" Aishwarya Rai Bachchan did a 180-degree turn to commemorate 14 years of gracing the Cannes red carpet. Ash who is sometimes accused of being a fashion culprit, stepped out in one jaw-dropping look after the other. The rivalry between the two brand ambassadors for the beauty brand L'Oreal, began in 2009, when Sonam allegedly called Ash, "an aunty from another generation." But it appears that Mrs Rai Bachchan has tasted sweet victory this year after her stunning appearances in gowns by Ralph & Russo couture, Oscar de la Renta and Georges Chakra. The yummy-mummy has proved that she still has it in her to command the spotlight, a full two decades after winning the Miss World crown in South Africa in 1994.

Who would have thought that a switcheroo of such proportions could take place? However, it would be an unfounded assumption to make that understated and mature elegance always wins over experimental drama. Katrina Kaif's debut at the revered international stage is a case in point - her tame, full-sleeve red lace Elie Saab gown failed to cause a pop, let alone a bang, on the red carpet as she vied for the shutterbugs along with countless other international beauties.

Likewise, Mallika Sherawat's appearance (after her annual hibernation) at the French Riviera in a fuchsia-caped Alexis Mabille gown had her resembling a distant relative of Morticia Addams (of the movie, The Addams Family) rather than a classic beauty.

So what does it take to make the cut on the red carpet? With the explosion of fashion gurus and designer labels in every nook and cranny of the world, keeping up with the new rules of the sartorial game is a must to stay ahead. Dear Bollywood ladies, the next time you represent the country - especially since the Cannes red carpet has turned into a celebrity version of the "Miss World" or "Miss Universe" contest - keep in mind a few pointers before finalising on "the" dress. Cheap fabric will let you down like a bad lover, time and again, and the flashbulbs will pick it up in a trice. Also, kindly ensure that your make-up is within at least the current decade of beauty trends. As for the gown itself, there's a fine line between avant-garde and sophisticated that must be tread. Here's a pointer - balance that dramatic garment with some-thing sleek and elegant for best results. Finally, when in doubt, stick to one colour if nothing else, like newcomer Richa Chaddha did in a pink Gauri & Nainika gown at the screening of Youth.

It's one thing to be honoured with an invite as a brand and cultural ambassador; it's another thing altogether to getting it right. Making sure you do your red carpet homework before stepping under the harsh spotlight is one of the smartest ways to hit the sweet spot, each time.