Fashion's biggest night, the annual Met Gala, was held on the first Monday of May at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on May 4. The event brought together figures from entertainment, business and fashion. The 2026 theme, “Costume Art,” explored the relationship between clothing, performance and visual culture. Several Indian names were part of the green carpet, including filmmakers, designers, entrepreneurs and members of former royal families.
Karan Johar attended in a custom outfit by designer Manish Malhotra. The voluminous, painterly look combined a black base with a long, hand-painted cape inspired by the works of Raja Ravi Varma. The cape featured detailed artwork and an extended train.
Manish Malhotra wore a black outfit with an intricate white cape titled “Mumbai.” The cape included embroidered and printed elements, along with visible text credits naming the artisans involved in its making.
Representing the Jaipur royal family, Gauravi Kumari wore a saree-inspired outfit with a draped silhouette. The look used traditional textiles with minimal embellishment and was paired with heritage-style jewellery. Sawai Padmanabh Singh appeared in an embroider sherwani-style outfit referencing traditional royal attire. The garment had a tailored fit with structured shoulders and coordinated accessories. Both were styled by Prabal Gurung.
Isha Ambani wore a couture outfit made using Indian textiles. The Gaurav Gupta ensemble featured detailed embroidery and a fitted silhouette with extended elements.
Natasha Poonawalla attended the Met Gala 2026 in a Marc Quinn couture featuring an orchid sculpted bodice. The oversized outfit was completed with a coordinated headpiece and accessories.
Ananya Birla also made a mark on the carpet. Her edgy Robert Wun outfit used a sculptural mask construction and layered materials, combining fashion with installation-style design.
Businesswoman and philanthropist Sudha Reddy attended the Met Gala in a custom “The Tree of Life” ensemble created by Manish Malhotra. Inspired by South Indian Kalamkari art, the gown incorporated traditional motifs and artisanal techniques, and reportedly took over 3,400 hours to complete. A standout feature was her 50-carat tanzanite necklace, valued at $15 million.