For his much-anticipated Met Gala debut, Diljit Dosanjh brought with him more than just star power — he brought history, heritage and a powerful reminder of identity. Of course, this comes as no surprise from the singer who had made his Coachella debut in a Punjabi kurta and chadra in 2023.
In keeping with this year’s theme, Dosanjh reimagined dandyism through a distinctly Indian lens — stepping onto the steps of the Met in an ivory-and-gold ensemble inspired by Sir Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala. Styled by Abhilasha Devnani and custom-designed by Prabal Gurung, the look was a regal homage to one of India’s most flamboyant royals.
The sherwani and cape, complete with delicate embroidery, featured motifs rooted in Indian symbolism — peacocks, lotus flowers and Punjabi script — and even a stylised map of Punjab across the back. Gurung called the look "an ode to the rich sartorial history of the subcontinent” in an interview with The New York Times, while Diljit saw it as something more personal: a reflection of where he comes from, worn with pride on fashion’s biggest stage.
No doubt, jewellery played a key role. While the original Cartier necklace once commissioned by the Maharaja — reportedly weighing in at 1,000 carats — was inaccessible in a museum vault, Devnani turned to Golecha’s to create custom pieces that evoked the spirit of royal opulence, including a majestic turban brooch.
Diljit’s fashion sensibility has always danced the fine line between modern and traditional, but at the Met, the stakes were different. It was a cultural assertion, a proud reclamation of space.
