There are few who can count themselves among Indian actors as well as front row regulars at fashion weeks, and Cannes Film Festival attendees, and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has long been one of them. The star owes it all to her almost fearless sense of style and penchant for luxury fashion, which saw her quickly become a fixture at fashion weeks after her acting debut in 2007.
The then-twenty-something actor’s outfits channeled her playful personality via colorful looks appropriate for a young starlet on the road to greater fame. Fun prints and patterns, ultra-feminine silhouettes, and bright hues dominated Kapoor Ahuja’s wardrobe of both traditional Indian and western ensembles. This, however, did not keep her from showcasing a different sartorial side to herself, at her first Cannes film festival appearance, no less. The star walked the red carpet wearing a white, structured dress from Jean Paul Gaultier which made her future attendances anticipatory. Fast forward to a few years, and many more ballgowns and girly dresses later, the actor began to find her signature in the masculine-leaning pieces she occasionally sported to serve up powerful looks. There were the more obvious ensembles like suits, and culottes with shirts and blazers, but the looks that really stood out were those with discreet elements that made her style that much more compelling. Think floor-sweeping capes, statement necklines, and sharp shoulders—all of which the star effortlessly carries off now with the help of her sister and stylist, Rhea Kapoor.
Indian wear gets equal love in Sonam Kapoor Ahuja‘s wardrobe—from saris, and head-to-toe ethnic outfits, to looks that seamlessly blend traditional and contemporary aesthetics. Naturally, some of her favorite designers are those from her home country—including, but not limited to, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Anamika Khanna, Masaba Gupta, Rahul Mishra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Bhaane. When dressed in international labels, Kapoor Ahuja is known to favor Middle Eastern ones, and has worn many a dreamy gown by Elie Saab. Other designers from close to home worn by the star include Ashi Studio, Maison Yeya, Atelier Zuhra, Georges Hobeika, Mariam Al Sibai, Sandra Mansour, Kojak Studio, Rami Kadi, Fouad Sarkis, Eman Aljajlan and Bouguessa.
In March 2022, the star announced her first pregnancy with husband Anand Ahuja, which, among many things, signaled the arrival of plenty of noteworthy maternity style moments.
Below, take a look at Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s style evolution in pictures.
2011. Jean Paul Gaultier. Photo: Getty
2012. Dolce & Gabbana. Photo: Getty
2014. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2014. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2015. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2015. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2015. Elie Saab. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2015. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2015. Shantanu Nikhil. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2015. Michael Cinco. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Delpozo. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Dice Kayek. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Ralph & Russo. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Ralph & Russo. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Ralph & Russo. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Dice Kayek. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Anamika Khanna. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Sandra Mansour. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Comme des Garçons. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2016. Yanina Couture. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Masaba. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Ralph & Russo. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Raw Mango. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Elie Saab. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Elie Saab. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Fouad Sarkis. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Temperley London. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Ashi Studio. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2017. Atelier Zuhra. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Kojak Studio. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Rimzim Dadu. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Stuart Weitzman. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Ashi Studio. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Neeurus. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Rahul Mishra. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Escada. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Anamika Khanna. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Chloé. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2018. Lado Bokuchava. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Calvin Klein. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Ashi Studio. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Elie Saab. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Emilia Wickstead. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Ralph & Russo and Chopard. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Sabyasachi. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Valentino. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Fenty. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Georges Hobeika. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Masaba. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Masaba. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Ralph Lauren. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Sharon Wauchob. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Bouguessa. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2019. Osman Studio. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
20202. Dice Kayek. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Valentino. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Erdem. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Itrh and Bulgari. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Masaba x Rhea Kapoor. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Max Mara, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bulgari. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Emilia Wickstead. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Ivy Park. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Bhaane. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2020. Bhaane. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2021. Bhaane. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2021. Emilia Wickstead. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2021. Loewe. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2021. Anamika Khanna. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2021. Anamika Khanna. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2021. Emilia Wickstead, Bottega Veneta, The Row. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2021. Alexander McQueen. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2021. Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
Eman Aljajlan. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
2022. Photo: Instagram.com/sonamkapoor
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