Urmimala and Snigdha Baruah Redefine Red-Carpet Fashion with Cultural Pride

Mother-and-daughter duo Urmimala Baruah and Snigdha Baruah drew international attention at the Cannes Film Festival 2026 with a red-carpet appearance that celebrated Assamese heritage and Northeast Indian identity through high fashion.

Wearing custom-designed ensembles by celebrated couturier Manish Malhotra, the duo transformed the traditional Assamese ghungat into a powerful symbol of cultural pride and representation. Their appearance was widely seen as a statement against the long-standing underrepresentation of Northeast India within the broader national cultural narrative.

Manish Malhotra reportedly worked closely with the pair to reinterpret Assamese motifs into couture that balanced tradition with contemporary red-carpet aesthetics. Snigdha Baruah wore a blush silk ensemble featuring a reimagined ghungat framed with hand-strung pearls, while a specially crafted 120-carat ruby and diamond necklace completed the look. The styling reflected a blend of bridal heritage and modern luxury.

Meanwhile, Urmimala Baruah appeared in a dramatic midnight violet outfit accented with crystalline structures that gave the ensemble an architectural and sculptural quality. Her attire incorporated Brazilian amethysts exceeding 20 carats, creating a visual language that merged ancestral symbolism with bold contemporary fashion.

Their Cannes appearance has sparked conversations about cultural representation, identity, and the increasing visibility of Northeast Indian traditions on international platforms. Fashion observers have praised the duo for using couture not only as glamour but also as a form of cultural storytelling and assertion.