Sanam Saeed made a memorable debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, capturing attention with an elaborate white peacock-inspired ensemble designed by renowned Pakistani fashion designer Hussain Rehar.
The Pakistani star walked the iconic Cannes red carpet in a custom couture outfit that paid tribute to legendary Pakistani actor Shamim Ara, often remembered as “The Tragic Beauty” of Pakistani cinema.
Sanam’s intricately crafted outfit featured traditional Mukesh work, Zardozi embroidery and mirror embellishments inspired by the elegance of a white peacock. According to the official Instagram page of Hussain Rehar’s label, 50 artisans spent an astonishing 2,354 hours creating the couture masterpiece.
The label wrote: “Designed for Cannes, the ensemble unveils a white peacock-inspired masterpiece shimmering with Mukesh, Zardozi, and radiant mirror work. Fifty artisans devoted 2,354 hours to sculpting the whole look.”
The actor paired the outfit with diamond ear cuffs and a traditional maang tikka from Hanif Jewellers.
Who Is Sanam Saeed?
Sanam Saeed is a Pakistani actress, singer and former model known for her work in Urdu television dramas and films. Born in either 1984 or 1985, she rose to prominence with her acclaimed portrayal of Kashaf Murtaza in the hit Pakistani drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai.
The series became hugely popular across South Asia and established Sanam as one of Pakistan’s leading television stars. Her role as the intelligent and independent Kashaf earned widespread critical praise and a devoted fan following in both Pakistan and India.
Apart from acting, Sanam Saeed initially began her career in modelling and later explored music before becoming a household name in the entertainment industry. Over the years, she has been recognised for taking on strong, emotionally layered and unconventional characters.
On the personal front, Sanam married her childhood friend Farhan Hassan, a Karachi-based banker, in January 2015. However, the marriage ended in divorce, which the actor publicly confirmed in 2018.
In 2021, she married Pakistani actor Mohib Mirza in a private ceremony, although the couple announced their marriage publicly in 2023. They welcomed their son in May 2025.
Cannes Look Pays Tribute to Pakistani Cinema Icon Shamim Ara
Fashion historians and fans quickly praised the deeper cultural significance behind Sanam Saeed’s Cannes look. Historian Anas Naceer revealed that the white peacock-inspired ensemble was designed as a tribute to Shamim Ara, one of Pakistan’s most iconic film stars.
Naceer also noted that Hussain Rehar has previously explored peacock-inspired themes in his fashion collections. Referring to the designer’s collection “Nargis”, he mentioned that model Aqsa Shah had similarly been transformed into a peacock-inspired figure.
The tribute added emotional and artistic depth to Sanam’s Cannes debut, celebrating Pakistan’s cinematic heritage while introducing contemporary South Asian couture to an international audience.
Designer Hussain Rehar Also Makes Cannes Debut
The 2026 edition of the Cannes Film Festival also marked the red carpet debut of designer Hussain Rehar himself.
The designer attended the festival wearing a custom-made handwoven sherwani crafted in Lahore by 15 master artisans. The outfit featured light-gold tissue silk and was accessorised with an emerald green Iman Zamin amulet symbolising blessings and protection.
In a statement shared online, the label described the sherwani as “a symphony of heritage and couture” that represented South Asian craftsmanship through a contemporary lens.
The Cannes Film Festival, which began on 12 May, will conclude on 23 May and continues to showcase global cinema, fashion and celebrity culture.
Inputs from agencies
The Pakistani star walked the iconic Cannes red carpet in a custom couture outfit that paid tribute to legendary Pakistani actor Shamim Ara, often remembered as “The Tragic Beauty” of Pakistani cinema.
Sanam’s intricately crafted outfit featured traditional Mukesh work, Zardozi embroidery and mirror embellishments inspired by the elegance of a white peacock. According to the official Instagram page of Hussain Rehar’s label, 50 artisans spent an astonishing 2,354 hours creating the couture masterpiece.
The label wrote: “Designed for Cannes, the ensemble unveils a white peacock-inspired masterpiece shimmering with Mukesh, Zardozi, and radiant mirror work. Fifty artisans devoted 2,354 hours to sculpting the whole look.”
The actor paired the outfit with diamond ear cuffs and a traditional maang tikka from Hanif Jewellers.
Who Is Sanam Saeed?
Sanam Saeed is a Pakistani actress, singer and former model known for her work in Urdu television dramas and films. Born in either 1984 or 1985, she rose to prominence with her acclaimed portrayal of Kashaf Murtaza in the hit Pakistani drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai.The series became hugely popular across South Asia and established Sanam as one of Pakistan’s leading television stars. Her role as the intelligent and independent Kashaf earned widespread critical praise and a devoted fan following in both Pakistan and India.
Apart from acting, Sanam Saeed initially began her career in modelling and later explored music before becoming a household name in the entertainment industry. Over the years, she has been recognised for taking on strong, emotionally layered and unconventional characters.
On the personal front, Sanam married her childhood friend Farhan Hassan, a Karachi-based banker, in January 2015. However, the marriage ended in divorce, which the actor publicly confirmed in 2018.
In 2021, she married Pakistani actor Mohib Mirza in a private ceremony, although the couple announced their marriage publicly in 2023. They welcomed their son in May 2025.
Cannes Look Pays Tribute to Pakistani Cinema Icon Shamim Ara
Fashion historians and fans quickly praised the deeper cultural significance behind Sanam Saeed’s Cannes look. Historian Anas Naceer revealed that the white peacock-inspired ensemble was designed as a tribute to Shamim Ara, one of Pakistan’s most iconic film stars.Naceer also noted that Hussain Rehar has previously explored peacock-inspired themes in his fashion collections. Referring to the designer’s collection “Nargis”, he mentioned that model Aqsa Shah had similarly been transformed into a peacock-inspired figure.
The tribute added emotional and artistic depth to Sanam’s Cannes debut, celebrating Pakistan’s cinematic heritage while introducing contemporary South Asian couture to an international audience.
Designer Hussain Rehar Also Makes Cannes Debut
The 2026 edition of the Cannes Film Festival also marked the red carpet debut of designer Hussain Rehar himself.The designer attended the festival wearing a custom-made handwoven sherwani crafted in Lahore by 15 master artisans. The outfit featured light-gold tissue silk and was accessorised with an emerald green Iman Zamin amulet symbolising blessings and protection.
In a statement shared online, the label described the sherwani as “a symphony of heritage and couture” that represented South Asian craftsmanship through a contemporary lens.
The Cannes Film Festival, which began on 12 May, will conclude on 23 May and continues to showcase global cinema, fashion and celebrity culture.
Inputs from agencies
