Pakistani celebrities, designers bring cultural flair to Cannes 2026 | The Express Tribune
From cultural ensembles to designer showcase, Pakistani talent makes presence felt on global stage
Pakistani celebrities and designers are making waves this season at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, with actors Sanam Saeed, Sadia Khan and Roma Michael headlining the event in ensembles by home-based designers, proudly showcasing the country’s cultural heritage.
Actor Sadia Khan took to Instagram over the weekend to share glimpses of her Cannes debut. She shared her red carpet look alongside an emotional note reflecting on the moment. “Feeling grateful, glamorous, emotional, and completely present in every second of it,” she wrote.
Calling it a moment she had only dreamt of, Sadia expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Pakistan at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals. From her widely discussed debut appearance to her styling choices, the actor has earned praise across social media.
Miss Grand Pakistan 2024, Roma Michael, also appeared on the Cannes red carpet donning a traditional truck art-inspired bustier and handbag by Deepak Perwani.
Paired with a traditional shalwar and kolhapuri sandals, Roma proudly represented Pakistani culture on the global stage.
Actor Sanam Saeed also made a striking debut at the film festival where she was named an inaugural honouree of US Studios’ “South Asian Women Excellence in Cinema & Global Art” initiative, which celebrates the contributions of women in cinema and the creative arts.
Meanwhile, designer Hussain Rehar made headlines with a limited showcase of his latest collection, Lahore: A Knot in South Asia’s Loom. The invite-only exhibition was held at Cannes, Château St George.
The moment marked a milestone as Rehar’s collection was presented alongside luxury houses such as Gucci and Roberto Cavalli, promoting Pakistan as a source of fashion, craftsmanship and cultural inspiration.
