Who Is Nancy Tyagi? The Small-town Girl Who Made It To Cannes 2024!

Nancy Tyagi stitched her path from Uttar Pradesh to Cannes, crafting a gown that turned heads! Let's explore her remarkable journey.

Published On May 22, 2024 | Updated On May 27, 2024

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Nancy Tyagi is a 23-year-old girl from the remote town of Baranwa, Uttar Pradesh, India, who not only dreams big but also stitches those dreams into reality—literally! She is an influencer and a testament to sheer willpower and creativity, whose journey to the 77th Cannes Film Festival has captured hearts and headlines alike.

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Nancy moved to New Delhi from her hometown, fueled by dreams of passing the UPSC exams. But life had a different trajectory in store. When the lockdown paused her UPSC preparations, it unexpectedly opened another door—one that led to her true passion, dress designing. Without any formal training or a degree in fashion; Nancy began creating stunning outfits. It was her deep-seated passion for design that empowered her to craft beautiful garments from scratch.

Nancy kicked off her influencer journey by setting up an Instagram channel, starting with some catchy Meesho hauls. You know how it is when you’re just starting—big dreams, but not much in your pocket. The feedback was a mixed bag: some people loved her, and well, some not so much. She even faced some pretty harsh trolls and, unfortunately, body shaming too. 

But hey, Nancy wasn’t about to let that stop her. She kept sharing her passion and her unique creations, and bit by bit, her follower count started to tick up. It wasn’t long before she not only found her groove in content creation but also began to receive some well-deserved love and recognition for her work.

Her DIY skills are nothing short of impressive, and through a series of trial and error, she's crafted elaborate outfits inspired by icons like Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone. It’s pretty cool, right? And this year she made it to the 77th Cannes Film Festival. 

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Nancy, hailing from a humble background, didn't let her circumstances define her limits. Instead, she chose to craft her path to one of the world's most prestigious red carpets. With a passion for fashion and a talent for tailoring, she created a stunning ruffle gown for her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 — weighing over 20 kg which took 30 days of labour and 1000 metres of cloth. This wasn't just any gown, it was a labour of love and a symbol of self-reliance, stitched together by Nancy Tyagi herself over months of dedication.

The gown, a marvel of intricate design and craftsmanship, drew significant attention, making her an instant internet sensation. The story of her gown resonated with many including the fashion diva Sonam Kapoor. Yes, Sonam Kapoor shared Nancy's video on her Instagram, showcasing the process of creating the Cannes saree. She praised it as the ‘Best outfit in Cannes’ and expressed her desire for a similar creation by tagging Nancy, with a playful request: ‘Make me something’.

Adding to the accolades, Sonam’s sister, producer-stylist Rhea Kapoor, also shared her admiration for Nancy's video, commenting, ‘I love this, Nancy’.

In response to Sonam Kapoor's Instagram shout-out, the Delhi-based influencer, Nancy, expressed her gratitude and eagerness to design something unique for Sonam, saying, ‘Thank you so much’ @sonamkapoor. I'd be thrilled to create something special for you one day!"

Seemingly Nancy represents a generation of young Indians who are not afraid to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. Her story at Cannes is a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin with a single stitch and a bold dream. Nancy Tyagi is not just a girl who made it to Cannes but a beacon of inspiration, proving that creativity and determination can indeed take you places, no matter where you start.


Photo: Nancy Tyagi/ Instagram