India Steals the Show at Met Gala 2025: A Dazzling Fusion of Heritage and Haute Couture

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York transformed into a global stage for fashion’s biggest night, the Met Gala 2025, where India’s brightest stars from film, music, and fashion made an unforgettable mark. Dubbed the “Oscars of fashion,” this annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute captivated audiences worldwide with its theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” celebrating the cultural legacy of Black dandyism and menswear tailoring.

Against a stunning 63,000-square-foot blue carpet handcrafted in Kerala by Neytt by Extraweave, India’s contingent delivered a powerful showcase of heritage, craftsmanship, and opulence, cementing the country’s growing influence on the global fashion stage.

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Star-Studded Indian Lineup

This year’s Met Gala was a landmark moment for Indian representation, with debut appearances by Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, and actress Kiara Advani, alongside the fifth appearance of global sensation Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

The fashion elite were equally prominent, with designers Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi Mukherjee commanding attention, joined by style mavens Natasha Poonawalla, Isha Ambani, Mona Patel, and Diya Mehta Jatia. Each brought a unique interpretation of the theme, blending Indian artistry with the gala’s focus on tailored elegance.

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Shah Rukh Khan: The King’s Regal Debut

Shah Rukh Khan made history as the first Indian male actor to grace the Met Gala, turning heads in a bespoke Sabyasachi ensemble. His tailored black suit, paired with a diamond-studded ‘K’ necklace, an ‘SRK’ choker, and an 18k gold cane, exuded cinematic charisma while subtly nodding to the shared histories of Black and Indian dandyism.

Sabyasachi himself walked the carpet in a sharply tailored ivory quilted overcoat, complete with a velvet cap and jeweled plume, reinforcing his status as a global fashion titan.

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Diljit Dosanjh: Punjabi Royalty on Display

Diljit Dosanjh brought cultural pride to the forefront in a custom Prabal Gurung sherwani, cape, and turban. His ivory and gold ensemble, inspired by the Maharaja of Patiala, featured intricate embroidery of lotus flowers, peacocks, and Gurmukhi script, with a cape showcasing a map of Punjab.

Despite some criticism for straying from the theme, his regal flair was widely celebrated.

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Kiara Advani: A Tribute to Motherhood

Expectant mother Kiara Advani made a poignant debut, proudly showcasing her baby bump in a Gaurav Gupta couture gown titled “Bravehearts.” The black gown, topped with a sculptural gold breastplate of two linked hearts symbolizing mother and child, was a heartfelt nod to motherhood.

The ensemble, which took two months to craft, was lauded for its emotional depth and tailored elegance.

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas: A Veteran’s Bold Return

Priyanka Chopra Jonas marked her fifth Met Gala appearance with a custom Balmain polka-dot suit dress by Olivier Rousteing. Paired with a statement Bvlgari necklace, her look channeled classic Hollywood with a gender-fluid twist.

Accompanied by Nick Jonas, she earned praise for her timeless elegance and fashion-forward statement.

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Indian Designers Take Center Stage

Indian designers were at the heart of the gala’s narrative of Black dandyism, seamlessly merging heritage with high fashion.

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Manish Malhotra’s Sculptural Couture

Manish Malhotra made his Met Gala debut in a black sherwani cape adorned with gold embroidery and beadwork, reflecting the gala’s theme. He also dressed Natasha Poonawalla in a gown that fused vintage Parsi Gara saris with a lace cravat and embroidered jacket.

Coco Jones also shone in a Malhotra ensemble, signaling the designer’s rising international acclaim.

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Anamika Khanna’s Regal Look for Isha Ambani

Anamika Khanna created a masterpiece for Isha Ambani featuring a longline ivory coat with a handwoven Benarasi train. It was adorned with embroidery in gold, red, and green, and paired with a Cartier necklace once owned by the Maharaja of Nawanagar.

The ensemble took an estimated 20,000 hours to complete.

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Gaurav Gupta and Prabal Gurung’s Dramatic Flair

Gaurav Gupta’s sculptural designs elevated Kiara Advani’s emotional debut, while Prabal Gurung’s work on Diljit Dosanjh and Diya Mehta Jatia showcased dramatic Indian motifs.

Diya Mehta’s green-and-black look, complete with temple-style headgear, stood out for its theatrical elegance.

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Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s Dual Showstopper Moment

Sabyasachi Mukherjee returned for his second Met Gala, dressing Shah Rukh Khan in a regal ensemble while solidifying his own iconic presence on the blue carpet.

Mona Patel, meanwhile, pushed boundaries in a Thom Browne gown paired with a robotic dog accessory.

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Kerala’s Blue Carpet

The 63,000-square-foot blue carpet, hand-painted with daffodils, was crafted by Neytt by Extraweave in Kerala. This eco-conscious, biodegradable carpet marked the brand’s third consecutive year at the Met Gala.

Its deep blue tones and floral barricades created a mesmerizing canvas for India’s fashion showcase.

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Hits and Misses

India’s presence was largely celebrated, but a few looks sparked debate. Shah Rukh Khan’s Sabyasachi suit was seen as elegant yet “too safe” by some fans.

Diljit Dosanjh’s regal look was beloved but questioned for straying from the Black dandyism theme. In contrast, Natasha Poonawalla and Isha Ambani were praised for seamlessly fusing Indian heritage with tailored sophistication.

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India’s Cultural Victory on Fashion’s Biggest Stage

The Met Gala 2025 became more than a fashion event—it was a moment of cultural victory for India. From cinematic icons and heartfelt tributes to trailblazing designers, Indian talent commanded global attention.

With Kerala’s craftsmanship setting the stage and Indian creativity shining brightly, the world witnessed a new era of cultural storytelling through fashion.

As one X user perfectly summed it up: “India didn’t just attend the Met Gala—it owned it.”