Janhvi Kapoor brings Prada’s iconic saree-inspired couture back to life at Toronto

Janhvi Kapoor is serving nothing short of a fashion masterclass at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where cinema meets couture. Styled to perfection by Rhea Kapoor, Janhvi stepped out in an archival Prada Spring 2004 ensemble, a collection that fashion purists still whisper about and instantly made the global red carpet her own.

The strapless gold dress, cut in saree-inspired silk, shimmered with intricate embroidery that recalled the delicate handiwork of Indian looms. Yet, instead of a literal drape, the piece was structured into a polished silhouette, showing how Miuccia Prada once dared to translate saree fluidity into a 1950s-style gown. Draped over Janhvi’s shoulders was a matching coat, adding a layer of power to the sensuality, the kind of duality Prada has always revelled in.

Back in 2004, Miuccia’s collection was a landmark moment. She took saree silks, saturated in opulence and heritage, and reimagined them for the European runway, fusing mid-century tailoring with India’s draping traditions. It wasn’t a costume; it was a conversation, East meets West, with the saree’s soul intact. To see that very idea resurface two decades later, on Janhvi at TIFF, feels like a full-circle moment where Indian craft and global luxury once again meet in dialogue.

Janhvi smartly let the ensemble speak for itself. She skipped the heavy jewellery, opting instead for sleek hair, luminous skin, and understated glam. But she didn’t shy away from a nod to homegrown craft. On her feet were golden strappy sandals by Aprajita Toor, a high-fashion riff on the traditional Kolhapuri chappal. That little detail stitched the look back to the motherland, reminding us that Indian fashion isn’t just on the global stage, it’s leading it.In many ways, this appearance wasn’t just about Prada nostalgia or star power. It was about Janhvi embodying what the modern Indian actress stands for: rooted in heritage, fluent in global luxury, and unafraid to be a cultural bridge. With co-stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa by her side for their film Homebound, she’s proving that both cinema and style can carry legacies forward. And in this gold-dipped Prada, Janhvi Kapoor didn’t just wear history, she redefined it.