Indian celebs at Met Gala 2026 (Photo: Instagram)Met Gala 2026: The first Monday of May is here, and you know what that means — it’s Met Monday! The fashion fraternity is all set to celebrate ‘Costume Art’, the spring exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York. The carpet rolls out on the iconic steps as we wait in anticipation for Bollywood and Hollywood’s best to attend the annual Met Gala — a true celebration of fashion and art.
This year, the theme for the Gala is “Costume Art”. With Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams serving as co-chairs, the May 4 event invites attendees to interpret fashion as an embodied art form, in line with the dress code, “Fashion Is Art”.
Inspired by the exhibit that went on display this spring, the theme goes beyond the question of what we wear, opening the floor to a broader dialogue on how the body itself becomes a site of aesthetic expression, asking guests to “examine the centrality of the dressed body.”
This year, the Met Gala has been under fire as a result of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s active involvement. The organisers recently issued a statement thanking the Amazon founder and his wife for their financial support, alluding to their sponsorship. The excerpt read, “The exhibition and benefit are made possible by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.” Amazon has been criticised before for their labour laws and unsafe working conditions, and their leaders berated online for using monetary prowess to gain access to culture.
From India, this year’s biggest representation comes from filmmaker Karan Johar, who is all set to walk the Met Gala carpet in collaboration with long-time friend and ace designer Manish Malhotra. Isha Ambani, Mona Patel, Natasha Poonawalla, and Sudha Reddy have also confirmed their attendance. As for Bollywood icons, online speculation continues to run amok.
Keep reading as we bring you LIVE updates from the annual Met Gala:
Sarah Paulson turned heads at the Met Gala 2026 in a bold Matières Fécales couture look, featuring a dramatic tulle gown and a striking leather mask, designed to look like a $1 bill.
From the “The One Percent” collection, the outfit, complete with provocative details, made a sharp statement on wealth, power, and excess. Fécales explained on Instagram, "The collection was a reflection of the greed and corruption that comes with extreme power."
(Image: Instagram/matieresfecales)
At the Met Gala 2026, Sabrina Carpenter surprised guests with a live performance of her hit tracks such as "House Tour," "Espresso," and "Please, Please, Please" adding an electric moment to the evening.
Donatella Versace revealed on Instagram that the singer’s look was a reimagined Versace SS18 Tribute gown, inspired by Gianni Versace’s iconic 1991 Pop Art collection, featuring vibrant Andy Warhol prints of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.
(Image: Instagram/donatella_versace)
Indian model and designer Bhavitha Mandava, who has made her Met Gala debut this year, has posted a 'bathroom selfie' from the event. The picture also features all four members of the K-pop group BLACKPINK—Jisoo, Lisa, Rosé, and Jennie -- Margot Robbie, Gracie Abrams, and Rachel Sennot.
Mandava is receiving backlash for her Chanel-styled jeans-and-top look, with many internet users calling it unfit for the ocassion. Mandava is also the first Indian model to open a Chanel show.
(Image: Instagram/ Bhavitha Mandava)
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: Kris Jenner returned to the 2026 Met Gala in a voluminous, art-inspired Dolce & Gabbana kimono-like robe featuring marble statue graphics and floral embroidery. She paired the bold look with a sharp bob haircut while walking the red carpet alongside daughters Kim and Kylie.
(Photo Credit: Instagram/Kris Jenner)
Alex Consani posted a thankyou note on her Instagram account: "Tysm to everyone who made this possible. To be the first trans woman to host the met is such an honor and for everyone who made this fantasy come to life thank you so so much!"
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: Madonna goes full dark enchantress at the Met Gala 2026, stepping out in a sheer cape carried by seven attendants. She has perfectly paired a satin-lace slip dress, with platform boots, and a dramatic wig. Her look is also a reference to the Surrealist female painter Leonora Carrington, who was an inspiration point for the singer’s classic “Bedtime Story” music video.
(Images: X/@2026MetGala, Instagram/gettyentertainment)
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: Cardi B wore a bold custom look by Marc Jacobs featuring layered textures, platform boots, and surreal, doll-like shapes inspired by artist Hans Bellmer. (Photo: metgalaofficial_/Instagram)
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: From a $75,000 (approximately INR 63,00,000) ticket price and tightly curated seating plans to bans on garlic, phones, smoking, and even strict age limits, the Met Gala operated under some of fashion’s most unusual rules this year. Read more here
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: South Korean band BLACKPINK girls: Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa, and Rose's arrival in distinct looks from different fashion houses was all about individual style under one global theme. (Photo: metgalaofficial_/Instagram)
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: From sculptural sheer gowns to chainmail and illusion dressing, stars including Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Simone Ashley, Beyonce, and Eileen Gu embraced daring, body-revealing couture at the Met Gala 2026. (Photo: Instagram/@metgalaofficial_)
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: The iconic red carpet at the Met Gala 2026 was crafted once again by Kerala-based label Neytt by Extraweave, continuing its legacy of honouring the Met steps with Indian craftsmanship since 2022.
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: Simone Ashley embraced the evening’s theme in a silver-threaded mini attire. (Photo: metgalaofficial_/Instagram)
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: Inspired by a Northern Italian garden, the Met Gala 2026 dinner by Olivier Cheng Catering will be served in themed courses, featuring dishes like lamb with morel panna cotta, Parmesan gnocchi, and spring vegetables.
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: Aweng Odhiang and Bhavitha Mandava made a striking appearance in contrasting outfits by Chanel (Photo: checkthetag/Instagram)
Met Gala 2026 LIVE Updates: Katy Perry stepped onto the Met carpet wearing a masked look, prompting onlookers to wonder about her identity. Dressed in a strapless white gown with a flowing cape, the singer wore a mask designed by costume designer Miodrag Guberinic.
Katy Perry arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Rihanna made a striking entrance in Maison Margiela Fall 2025 couture, trading a covered face for a bold golden wreath. (Photo: metgalaofficial_/Instagram)
Natasha Poonawalla brought together art and fashion, wearing a sculptural creation by Marc Quinn alongside a custom couture ensemble by Dolce & Gabbana. (Photo: PR handout)
Beyonce shared an emotional moment at the fashion event, saying it felt "surreal to be there with her daughter," adding that she’s ready to step into the spotlight. (Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
Blake Lively embraced a beige-purple, semi-embellished gown paired with wavy hair. Calling the vintage 2006 piece reminiscent of “sunrise, sunset, and watercolours,” she revealed that her bag featured watercolor artwork created by "each of her four kids." (Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
Beyonce embraced a regal mood in a silver ensemble, topped with a striking headgear at the fashion event (Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
Ananya Birla’s look transformed everyday identity into high-concept couture, featuring Subodh Gupta’s signature stainless steel as a powerful, mask-like statement of strength and anonymity. (Photo: PR handout)
Princess Gauravi Kumari honoured her roots in a vintage chiffon saree once owned by her great grandmother. “This is my great grandmother’s vintage chiffon saree… our home city Jaipur’s colour is pink, so this attire is an ode to our home city.” She completed the look with pearls inspired by Maharani Gayatri Devi. (Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
(Photo: metgalaofficial_/Instagram)
(Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
(Photo: Live sreengrab/Vogue)
(Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
(Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
Hailey Bieber made an impressive appearance in a gold and blue ensemble, styled with a sleek bun. (Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
(Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
At the Met Gala, Anne Hathaway stepped out in a finely painted ensemble by Michael Kors, who revealed that every element of the dress was handpainted. "We handpainted her attire." (Photo: Live screengrab/Vogue)
Drawing inspiration from Raja Ravi Varma, Karan Johar turned his Met Gala 2026 look into a tribute to emotion, culture, and couture, brought to life by Manish Malhotra. Calling himself a “canvas for art,” Johar celebrated Indian fashion on the global stage. (Photo: karanjohar/Instagram)
Gigi Hadid turned heads at the Met Gala 2026 in a black and grey translucent dress, styled with flowing open hair, striking the perfect balance between edgy and ethereal. (Photo: metgalaofficial_/Instagram)
Rooted in Mumbai and brought to life by over 50 artisans, Manish Malhotra’s Met Gala look reimagines the classic bandhgala with an architectural cape, woven with personal stories, intricate Indian embroideries, and the very signatures of the artisans behind it. (Photo: manishmalhotra05/Instagram)
Describing her look, Isha Ambani shared that the cape by Gaurav Gupta was envisioned as a sculptural statement. The saree holds deep personal significance for her, symbolising what she sees as the ultimate expression of art in fashion from an Indian perspective.
"For me as an Indian, it (saree) was ultimate symbol of art form," she said.
Draped in heritage and haute couture, Isha Ambani transformed the Met Gala 2026 into a celebration of Indian artistry, featuring a gold-woven saree, heirloom jewels from Nita Ambani’s collection, a sculptural mogra-inspired hairpiece, and a striking mango artwork by Subodh Gupta. (Photo: ishaambani/Instagram) Read more here.
Karan Johar, all set to make his Met Gala debut, will be seen walking the iconic carpet in an exquisite creation by Manish Malhotra. In an interview with the Empire State Building, the filmmaker said he will showcase 'deep cultural heritage' through his garment.
Behind the glamour of the Met Gala lies a surprisingly strict code of conduct enforced by Anna Wintour—from a complete ban on selfies and smoking to an 18+ guest list and even food restrictions like no garlic or onions. Guests must stick to the theme, respect seating plans, and avoid breaking protocol, as even minor rule violations can reportedly lead to a lifetime ban from fashion’s most exclusive night. READ MORE HERE
#fromthearchives | Isha Ambani’s Met Gala 2025 glam came with an emotional backstory, as her make-up artist revealed the nerves behind getting her ready soon after childbirth. Despite the pressure, the look came together seamlessly—highlighting her poise, resilience, and the quiet intensity behind one of the night’s most talked-about appearances. Read more here
Bollywood's superstar Shah Rukh Khan made his Met Gala debut last year in a breathtaking black ensemble by ace designer Sabyasachi, becoming the first male actor from the Hindi film industry to walk the prestigious red carpet. Earlier, the Slumdog Millionaire fame, Freida Pinto, turned heads at the 2011 Met Gala in an ivory silk Chanel gown. Other Indian celebrities who walked the Met Gala red carpet over the years are: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone, Kiara Advani, Diljit Dosanjh, Alia Bhatt, Isha Ambani, and Natasha Poonawalla.
Ahead of the annual fashion fundraiser in support of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos hosted an exclusive pre–Met Gala gathering at their NYC home on May 2. The Amazon founder and the Emmy-winning journalist are serving as honorary co-chairs and are also the event’s main financial backers for the gala taking place on Monday, May 4. The star-studded guest list included Kris Jenner, Sam Smith, Nicole Kidman, Gayle King, and Nicky Hilton, among others. The evening also doubled as a date night for several couples, such as Serena Williams with Alexis Ohanian and Venus Williams with Andrea Preti.
Isha Ambani arrived at Vogue’s 2026 Met Gala pre-party this weekend in a Manish Malhotra x Swadesh ensemble. The reimagined bandage dress was defined by 26 distinct borders, each representing a different region of India and giving a nod to this year’s theme of ‘Costume Art’.
Isha Ambani turned heads at a Met Gala pre-party in New York, spotlighting Indian craftsmanship in a striking Manish Malhotra x Swadesh ensemble. The look blended heritage artistry with modern couture, making a strong statement on global fashion’s growing love for indigenous design narratives. READ MORE HERE
Did you know, the Met Gala once began as a simple fundraiser. Founded in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, the Gala was initially a midnight supper to raise funds for the Costume Institute. Tickets originally cost just $50, and the event was far less glamorous than it is today.
Indian viewers can watch the livestream on Vogue’s official YouTube channel, sharp at 3:30 am IST on Tuesday, May 5. For those watching from abroad, platforms like Peacock and Hulu will go live on Monday, May 4, at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT.
Before you turn into couch critics for the night, take a look at this year's hosting committee. Actors Angela Bassett, Elizabeth Debicki, Rebecca Hall, Teyana Taylor and Zoe Kravitz; filmmaker Lena Dunham, as well as singers Doja Cat and Sabrina Carpenter are all set to entertain guests at the Gala.
