The 2026 Met Gala, held on May 4, centered on the theme “Costume Art” with a dress code of “Fashion Is Art.” This year saw a historic presence of Indian icons who transformed the red carpet into a living gallery of South Asian heritage and avant-garde craftsmanship.

Here is a summary of the standout Indian appearances:

The Showstoppers

• Isha Ambani: Wearing a custom gold-threaded saree by Gaurav Gupta, her look featured a bodice hand-stitched with an estimated 1,800 carats of diamonds, emeralds, and polki. She went viral for carrying a “mango” bag, which was actually a 20-year-old sculpture by renowned Indian artist Subodh Gupta.

• Karan Johar: Making his Met Gala debut, the filmmaker collaborated with Manish Malhotra on an ensemble inspired by the legendary 19th-century painter Raja Ravi Varma. His 6-foot-long hand-painted cape featured classical motifs like lotuses, swans, and architectural pillars, taking over 5,600 hours to complete.

• Manish Malhotra: Beyond designing for others, the veteran couturier walked the carpet in a structured black bandhgala with a cape that paid tribute to Mumbai. The design featured landmarks like the Gateway of India and the names of the artisans who crafted the garment.

Artistic & Royal Debuts

• Ananya Birla: In a bold departure from traditional gowns, she wore a structured black couture piece by Robert Wun, paired with a striking stainless-steel metallic face mask by artist Subodh Gupta.

• Jaipur Royal Family: Maharaja Padmanabh Singh and Princess Gauravi Kumari brought authentic heritage to New York. Gauravi wore a saree from the archive of her grandmother, the legendary Maharani Gayatri Devi, while the Maharaja wore a revived Phulgar coat, both reimagined by Prabal Gurung.

• Mona Patel: Following her viral “butterfly” dress in previous years, she returned with a kinetic creation by Iris van Herpen, blending technology and high fashion with mechanical moving parts.

The Visionaries

• Natasha Poonawalla: Known for her experimental style, she appeared in a “wearable sculpture” created by British artist Marc Quinn and Dolce & Gabbana, featuring a massive white orchid pectoral that functioned as both armor and art.

• Sudha Reddy: The philanthropist returned in a “Tree of Life” ensemble by Manish Malhotra, which utilized 3,000-year-old Kalamkari techniques reworked into a sculptural, heavy zardozi gown.

While regulars like Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt were missed this year, the 2026 contingent successfully pivoted the conversation from “wearing a brand” to “representing a culture” through fine art.

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