MUMBAI: Uorfi Javed’s Cannes dream may have been halted due to a last-minute visa rejection, but that didn’t stop her and designer Sweta Gurmeet Kaaur from owning their moment. Instead of stepping back, the duo turned Mumbai into their personal red carpet, sending a strong message about resilience and self-expression.
Sweta Gurmeet Kaaur, the bold designer behind Uorfi’s now-viral Cannes look, has long been known for her theatrical and expressive couture. Their creative chemistry, first seen on the reality series Follow Kar Lo Yaar, blossomed into a powerful fashion statement. Sweta opened up about their journey, the challenges they faced, and the deeper meaning behind choosing to go ahead with the look—Cannes or not.
Talking about being the one Uorfi trusted for such a global fashion moment, Sweta shares, “Honestly, she could have picked anyone, but our bond is special. I’ve been exclusively designing for Uorfi, and there’s a deep level of trust between us. She shares her vision with me, and I bring it to life—we truly work as a team. Around three years ago, we both dreamt of creating a moment like Cannes or the Met Gala together. That shared dream, trust, and creative sync is what made this collaboration so meaningful for both of us.”
When Uorfi’s Cannes visa was denied, the duo didn't let it end there. Sweta recalls how they turned the setback into a celebration: “This outfit was made for Cannes—it was special, bold, and made with heart. When the visa didn’t work out, we didn’t want to just sit back. We decided, if we can’t go to the red carpet, we’ll bring the red carpet here. And that’s exactly what we did. Our message was clear: nothing can stop hard work, not even a setback like this. You don’t need a global stage to shine—if your work is strong, people will see it, no matter where you are. And the love we received proved that.”
The journey to create the dress was far from easy. Sweta shares just how intense the process was: “Of course, it was challenging—every single moment felt like a test. We had very little time, just around 12 to 13 days, and honestly, the kind of embroidery and detailing we did wasn’t easy to pull off in that time frame. It was super stressful, but I had made up my mind that no matter what, I was going to make it happen. There really wasn’t even room for last-minute changes—we had to go with what we had planned and just execute it with full confidence. It was tough, yes, but I took the challenge head-on. And I’m so proud that I did. Because at the end of the day, we didn’t just make a dress—we made a moment.”
On blending boldness with elegance for a platform like Cannes, Sweta says, “Working with Uorfi has always been about celebrating boldness—that’s the foundation of our creative synergy. So for me, balancing boldness with elegance comes quite naturally. However, Cannes was a different stage altogether. The outfit we created was incredibly unique and detailed—it was bold, yes, but also refined in its craftsmanship. It did take extra thought because we wanted it to feel fitting for such a prestigious platform while still staying true to her unapologetic style. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where the design doesn’t just speak—it commands attention with grace.”
In the end, what started as a missed opportunity transformed into a fashion moment no one saw coming. Uorfi and Sweta didn’t need the Cannes red carpet to make noise—they built their own and made the world watch.
Add new comment