Karan Johar’s Met Gala 2026 debut brings a 19th-century Indian legend to life via Manish Malhotra creation

 

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The filmmaker took to Instagram to share his look for the Met Gala 2026 and wrote, “Framed In Eternity. Inspired by the art of Raja Ravi Varma. Raja Ravi Varma felt right because his work does something I’ve always tried to do in cinema. He painted feelings. And who better than my oldest partner in crime & fashion to help me bring this to life other than Manish Malhotra. To bring our Indian culture to the global stage with the vision of couture and gratitude woven together, is an art form in itself which he has mastered. You made me feel like a canvas for your art, thank you!”

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Manish Malhotra’s look at Met Gala 2026

Manish Malhotra also took to the red carpet for the second time this year, presenting a look rooted in his connection to Mumbai. He described it as a personal tribute to the city that shaped his journey and the artisans behind his work.

The designer chose a classic bandhgala with a structured cape, crafted over 960 hours by more than 50 artisans. Featuring dori, zardozi, chikankari, and kasab embroidery, the piece also included the artisans’ signatures and subtle nods to Mumbai’s cinematic legacy.

 

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In a conversation with Eyewitness News Morning, celebrity designer Manish Malhotra had recently confirmed Karan’s Met Gala attendance this time. Opening up about his Met Gala debut last year, he said, “Last year was my first time, and it was an incredible experience — walking the red carpet and designing for Coco Jones and Natasha Poonawalla. This year, I’ll be designing for a very prominent director known for both his films and fashion — Karan Johar. He’s a close friend, and I’m excited to see what we bring to the red carpet. We also did some jewellery detailing for Rihanna last time, and there’s much more to come.”

Met Gala 2026 guests

This edition of the Met Gala also featured the who’s who of global show business. From The Devil Wears Prada stars Anne Hathaway to Margot Robbie, Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney, several celebs walked the red carpet this time too.

Models Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner also graced the red carpet.

While Priyanka Chopra, a regular at the Met Gala, gave this year’s edition a miss, Indian celebrities like Isha Ambani, Ananya Birla attended the event.