Met Gala 2026: Indian celebrities steal the spotlight

The Met Gala 2026, hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, revolved around this year’s theme, “Costume Art.” Here's how Indian celebrities left their mark on the carpet.

Ananya Birla: Entrepreneur Ananya Birla made a memorable Met Gala debut in a dramatic black couture creation by Robert Wun. The outfit showcased a sharply structured silhouette with a voluminous skirt, complemented by a metallic face mask crafted by artist Subodh Gupta. The mask stood out as the defining feature, lending an artistic, unconventional edge while drawing attention to the outfit’s structure and form. (official instagram page of ananya birla)

Isha Ambani: Isha Ambani embraced a custom Gaurav Gupta sari woven with gold threads and detailed embroidery, blending traditional artistry with modern luxury. Accented by a diamond studded bodice and striking jewellery, the look highlighted Indian craftsmanship through a contemporary, international lens. (instagram: anaitashroffadajania)

Karan Johar: Styled by Eka Lakhani, Johar wore a hand painted ensemble that brought Raja Ravi Varma’s imagery to life, featuring zardozi borders, three dimensional pillars, motifs of lotuses and swans, and a jacket with a hand painted lining. (official instagram handle of karan johar)

Maharaja and Princess of Jaipur: Gauravi Kumari chose a gown that wove in a sari originally worn by her grandmother, Maharani Gayatri Devi, emphasising her desire to carry forward that personal legacy in a tangible way. In contrast, Sawai Padmanabh Singh opted for an intricately embroidered coat inspired by Rajasthani craftsmanship, explaining that he wanted his look to reflect tradition in a manner that felt true to his own identity. (instagram: bollywoodalmarhi)

Manish Malhotra: Malhotra's black tux, engraved with intricacy, the outfit brought together heritage embroidery styles like dori, zardozi, chikankari and kasab. Speaking about it, Malhotra described the look as deeply meaningful, saying it captured his journey in Mumbai as well as the craftsmanship of the artisans behind his creations. (official instagram handle of manish malhotra)

Natasha Poonawalla: Natasha Poonawalla turned heads in a striking sculptural piece by British artist Marc Quinn. Titled Orchid Pectoral, it was layered over a flowing white couture gown by Dolce & Gabbana, creating a bold and artistic look. (PR Handout)

Sudha Reddy: Philanthropist Sudha Reddy opted for an outfit rooted in the Tree of Life theme drawn from Kalamkari art. The ensemble featured intricate zardozi and resham work, weaving in symbolic motifs that reflect Indian cultural heritage. (official instagram page of sudha reddy)