Stars in sensational sari

Helen Mirren's elegant take on the sari hit all the right notes.  The acclaimed British actress chose the Indian outfit in a striking silver and red colour combination to wear to the 2004 Emmy awards, pinning the fabric at her shoulder with a tasteful broach.

In honour of her visit to Nepal this week, Geri Halliwell wore a traditional sari to address a conference attended by the country's prime minister. And while her wardrobe made headlines, the former Spice Girl is by no means the only famous face to have slipped into the customary female garment.

So as Britain keeps its fingers crossed for an Indian summer, we take a look at some of the western ladies who have paid a sartorial tribute to the East...

In March, international beauty Naomi Campbell was the model of perfection in a beautiful white and turquoise chiffon sari. The Streatham-born star was in Mumbai for the start of Lakme Fashion Week, and went on to showcase a number of Indian outfits at one of the event's shows.

One lady often snapped in a sari is Elizabeth Hurley, who famously chose to wear one at her second wedding to Arun Nayar in Jodhpur. Her Indian husband's heritage is obviously important to Elizabeth, who not only chose a hot pink number to wear during a campaign in Mumbai, but she also encouraged her son Damian to embrace male customary dress.

Not one, but all of the Pussycat Dolls wore a variation of Indian dress to a fashion event last year. The ladies were dressed in sexy black and gold versions of a look designed for them by Indian fashionista.

We are more used to seeing Serena Williams in her sporting ensemble, but the tennis ace really dressed up on the eve of the Bangalore Open. Along with her sister Venus, the American star donned traditional Indian costume – complete with a bindi on her forehead – to join fellow competitors at a party.

Parminder Nagra's parents emigrated from the Punjab region of northern India in the Sixties, so despite being born in England, she has strong ties to the country. Demonstrating this, the star brightened up an ER Hollywood party in a pink sari embellished with silver embroidery.