21st May 2025, New Delhi – At the Bharat Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival 2025, fashion entrepreneur and Aza Fashions Managing Director Devangi Nishar Parekh took center stage as part of an insightful panel discussion titled “Voices of Influence: Craft, Creativity & Cultural Presence”. The session, moderated by Saraswathi Buyyala, acclaimed writer and director, brought together visionary Indian women from diverse fields who are shaping the country’s global cultural identity with ambition, authenticity, and purpose.
The panel featured a dynamic and inspiring lineup of speakers, including:
● Devangi Nishar Parekh, Managing Director of Aza and Founder of Araiya by Aza, who is bridging Indian couture and the global marketplace through a visionary approach to luxury retail.
● Kanika Tekriwal, aviation entrepreneur and Founder of JetSetGo, who is reimagining the skies while also taking Indian fashion and craftsmanship to the global stage.
● Sakshi Sindwani, digital creator and body positivity advocate, widely celebrated for championing inclusivity and representation in fashion, beauty, and media.
Together, the speakers explored how their individual journeys — rooted in cultural pride, entrepreneurial grit, and a bold vision — are helping reposition India on the global map. From fashion and tech to aviation and digital culture, each voice brought a powerful message of self-belief and support.
Speaking at the panel, Devangi Nishar Parekh said, “Fashion is one of the most powerful ways we tell our stories. To represent India at Cannes wearing a piece that brings together craft traditions from across the country was incredibly meaningful. Through Aza, I’ve seen how deeply the world connects with Indian creativity and this panel was a timely reminder that our cultural legacy is also our global currency.”
For her appearance at the Bharat Pavilion, Devangi wore an archival jacket by acclaimed designer Anamika Khanna. Titled “The Threads of Timeless Craft,” the intricately hand-embroidered jacket wove together India’s diverse textile traditions — including Kathiawari stitches, Ajrakh from Kutch, Ahmedabad’s jali motifs, Bengal’s Kantha, Punjab’s Phulkari, and Chanderi weaves from Madhya Pradesh. This stunning piece was paired with hand-embroidered brocade pants. To finish her look, Devangi chose sustainable lab-grown diamond jewellery from Araiya by Aza, representing India’s key positioning in the global landscape for this sunrise industry. The look embodied her commitment to showcasing India’s artisanal excellence on a global stage.
Araiya by Aza, the fine jewellery brand founded by Devangi Nishar Parekh, stands at the intersection of conscious luxury and modern heritage. Designed with sustainability and craftsmanship at its core, the label features ethically sourced, lab-grown diamonds set in timeless silhouettes that celebrate Indian artistry. With an emphasis on versatility and mindful elegance, Araiya by Aza champions a new narrative in global jewellery — one where innovation meets tradition, and where India’s design legacy is reimagined for the contemporary world.
The Bharat Pavilion, organized annually by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, continues to be a key cultural touchpoint at Cannes — representing India’s creative spirit and expanding influence across cinema, fashion, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Devangi’s presence this year wasn’t just about red carpet glamour — it was a reflection of a larger story: that India’s future is female, creative, and unapologetically rooted in craft.
