From the red carpet to high-society soirées, veils have made a striking return!

Once synonymous with modesty, mystery and matrimonial ritual, the veil has undergone a transformation, appearing on red carpets and ramps alike. No longer confined to weddings or religious symbolism; it floats between couture and contemporary, between concealment and expression.

From Tiffany Haddish’s bejewelled look at the 2025 American Music Awards to Farhana Bodi’s fairytale flourish at Cannes this year, the veil has re-entered the fashion spotlight not as a relic of the past, but as a bold statement. Designers and stylists are redefining what it means to “veil"—elevating it beyond fabric and function into a narrative device that evokes mood, identity and artistic flair. Whether sculpted into hoods, embroidered with text or styled with pantsuits and shorts, veils today challenge convention and reimagine their own purpose in fashion.

At the 2025 American Music Awards, Tiffany Haddish dazzled in a bejewelled blue gown with a dramatic veil by Bronx and Banco, while Rebecca Black turned heads in a custom all-white, bridal-inspired ensemble by Erick Charlotte. At Cannes 2025, Farhana Bodi embraced a fairy-tale elegance in a blush pink custom gown by Atelier Zuhra; and Juliette Binoche offered a modern twist on couture in an off-white Dior ensemble — an exquisite silk crepe top with a draped hood and matching pants, subtly referencing the veil in a more fluid, sculptural form. At the ultra-exclusive Bezos-Sanchez wedding in Venice, Kendall Jenner captured attention in a purple vintage Thierry Mugler short ensemble with hood styled as veil.

What makes this modern interpretation so compelling is its versatility. It has evolved into an artistic accessory, capable of transforming any silhouette – count gown, lehenga, saree, shorts and pants alike – with an air of mystery, elegance, and storytelling.

“Veils on the red carpet have become less about tradition and more about creating an atmosphere, a sense of narrative and visual poetry. They introduce layers of intrigue and theatricality, transforming a look into something almost cinematic,” says Aisha Rao, founder and creative director of the namesake label.

For Aisha, veils are not just an accessory but an extension of the story a garment tells. “In our upcoming India Couture Week collection, we have taken this further by adding embroidered text to our veils, turning them into canvases for expression and personal meaning. I love how a veil plays with the duality of concealment and revelation, which resonates with the whimsical, layered language we explore at Aisha Rao. 2”

In a contemporary context, Hyderabad-based Aisha sees veils as a medium of self-expression rather than modesty. “They have evolved into a way of amplifying individuality and bringing an artistic, almost narrative driven flourish to a look. At Aisha Rao, we interpret veils as playful extensions of the garment, not elements that conceal, but ones that create intrigue and depth. For us, it’s about crafting a moment of drama, whimsy, and elegance.” Apart from ramp and red carpets, do veils see a future in fashion? Aisha believes so. She sees veils evolving into something that goes beyond special occasions. Today brides are experimenting with detachable veils that are lighter, shorter, and much easier to style. They’re treating it as an accessory rather than a symbol, which makes it versatile. “I feel like we will continue to see veils become more mainstream in fashion, as long as they’re reimagined in ways that feel modern, playful, and wearable, which is exactly how we would like to use them in our collections.”

Quote: “I think veils have found a whole new meaning now, they feel playful, a little mysterious, and add that touch of drama which makes a look unforgettable. For us at Aisha Rao, they’re never about hiding but about telling a story in the most whimsical way. – Aisha Rao

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