22052026-LSTL-01.qxd 5/21/2026 8:48 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Not so comfy Life Star power at Louis Vuitton Cruise show The Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027 Collection show held in New York City, fashion lovers witnessed an extraordinary display of luxury. The showcase was led by celebrated designer Nicolas Ghesquière, who presented a futuristic yet elegant collection that reflected the spirit of modern cruise fashion. Held at The Frick Collection, a museum with about 1,800 works spanning the Renaissance to the late nineteenth century, the star-studded event attracted celebrities Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Zendaya, Chase Infiniti, Emma Stone, Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett and Hoyeon Jung among others. The runway came alive with models wearing dramatic silhouettes, metallic fabrics and oversized jackets. — TNS WHAT’S HOT eat Backlace, the close cousin of the necklace, takes centre-stage on the red carpet and beyond (Clockwise from top left) Ariana Greenblatt, Janhvi Kapoor, Daisy Edgar-Jones & Margot Robbie Filming in Montana may have offered stunning landscapes for The Madison, but Michelle Pfeiffer says the working conditions on set were far from comfortable. They had to cope without basic amenities. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 22 MAY 2026 Mona From Daisy EdgarJones’s shimmering Boucheron necklace worn backwards at Cannes to Margot Robbie’s sculptural diamond back harness in London, the red carpet has been quietly rewriting how jewellery is worn. Even emerging style voices like Kalyani Priyadarshan and global pop stars such as Sabrina Carpenter are embracing the same shift. Together, these moments signal the rise of the ‘backlace’ or ‘reverse necklace’. The backlace may feel like a modern obsession, but its roots go back decades. One of the earliest champions of the look was Princess Diana, who famously wore pearl strands draped elegantly down her back. Today, the trend has found a new generation of admirers. At the Fjord screening during Cannes Film Festival, Daisy EdgarJones delivered Bringing sexy BACK one such moment in a shimmering Balenciaga gown. It wasn’t just the silhouette that drew attention but her diamond necklace worn backwards. Cascading down her exposed back, the jewel transformed the open back into the focal point of the ensemble, reinforcing the rise of the backlace as a redcarpet signature. The fascination has been building steadily. At Cannes last year, Janhvi Kapoor wore a Anamika Khanna creation paired with a custom back chain by Aurus Jewels; while Ariana Greenblatt styled layered Chopard necklaces down the back of her Cong Tri gown. Margot Robbie embraced the trend in London, wearing a crystal-embellished outfit with a diamond back harness that tied the dress together. Beyond the red carpet, the backlace trend is expanding into everyday fashion. From wedding wear to cocktail dressing, backless silhouettes are evolving across gowns, blouses and jumpsuits. Rachit Malhotra, director of Femina Plus Salon and Rachit Lavanya Makeovers, notes the shift: “Right from traditional to western, backless numbers are fast becoming a fashion statement. It’s not just about revealing skin — it’s about how you style it.” He adds that sleek buns, bubble ponytails and lifted hairstyles remain favourites, often paired with shimmer or glitter makeup along the back. “Just like we contour the face, we now do makeup for the back. It’s the new beauty canvas,” he says. Vandana M Jagwani, founder of Vandals and creative director at Mahesh Notandass, champions versatile designs. “We design necklaces that are made to be seen — diamond tennis in the front, statement chain in the back. One piece, multiple moods,” she says. chandigarh THINGYAN FESTIVAL F OOD and culture enthusiasts can experience the vibrant Thingyan Festival, celebrating Burmese New Year at Burma Burma, Elante Mall from May 21 to May 31. The event celebrates Myanmar’s traditional water festival with an exclusive festive menu featuring Burmese delicacies, curries and rice bowls. The event begins at 6:30 pm daily and is open to visitors of all age groups. Tickets are priced at Rs1,000 onwards. panchkula play P LIVE SHOW UNJABI music fans are in for an energetic evening as singer Sunanda Sharma gears up for The Iconic Night at Dusshera Ground on May 23. The live concert promises a high-energy performance featuring some of the artiste’s most popular tracks. Gates for the event will open at 3 pm, while the concert starts at 4 pm. Music lovers can expect a a grand stage experience. chandigarh love A ART DATE RT lovers and creative enthusiasts can take part in the Madhubani Painting Art Date workshop being organised at Olive Cafe and Bar, Chandigarh, from May 23 to July 25. The 90-minute workshop is open to all age groups and offers participants an opportunity to explore the traditional Madhubani painting. Entry tickets are priced from Rs 1,199 onwards. Manish Malhotra takes Assam to Cannes Indian couturier Manish Malhotra brought Assamese heritage into the global fashion conversation at the Cannes Film Festival 2026 as motherdaughter duo Urmimala Baruah and Snigdha Baruah made a striking appearance in custom couture inspired by the cultural identity of Northeast India. Designed by Malhotra, the couture reinterpreted Assamese tradition through a modern global lens. Urmimala said, “This appearance is not just about fashion. It is about visibility. For a long time, the Northeast has not always been part of the mainstream narrative, and moments like this help bring that identity forward in a global space like Cannes.” Snigdha added, “We are not trying to fit into a larger narrative, we are trying to ensure our own story is seen. Assam has its own identity, and it deserves equal space on global platforms like this.” Snigdha appeared in a blush silk ensemble detailed with hand-strung pearls and a statement ruby-and-diamond necklace, while Urmimala wore a midnight-violet silhouette highlighted with statement jewellery. — TNS c m y b CHAT UP GLIMPSE OF SARAAYAH Kiara Advani gave fans a rare glimpse into her personal life by sharing an adorable travel moment featuring her daughter, Saraayah, on Instagram. The candid image, seemingly clicked during a flight, showed a colourful suction toy attached to an aeroplane window against a bright sky backdrop. Adding to the heartwarming moment was a tiny hand of baby Saraayah, reaching toward the toy. Kiara captioned it with a heart emoji. ‘BOKHLA GAYE LOG...’ Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has once again stirred social media curiosity after sharing a cryptic late-night message on X, prompting widespread reactions from fans. On May 21 at 1:23 am, the 83-year-old actor posted under his trademark chronological tweet format: “T 5747 - Bokhla gye log; vichar vyakt kiye - koi samjhein ya na samjhein, liye ke diye ban gye zarur,” he wrote in a post on X.