Karan Johar made his Met Gala debut this year, marking a defining moment as the first Indian director to represent India at the event. For the fashion soiree, his ensemble, designed by Manish Malhotra, draws its visual language directly from the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, interpreting the master’s iconic command of drape, light, and ornament through contemporary couture.

The silhouette is rooted in classical Indian drapery, restructured with a precision that allows fabric to move with the body without losing its sculptural authority. The garment draws from some of Varma's most iconic works, among them - Hamsa Damayanti, Kadambari, Arjuna and Subhadra, and There Comes Papa - each painting selected not for spectacle, but for the quiet emotional truth it carries.

What sets the look apart is its surface: hand-painted detailing executed in gold by traditional artisans, applied directly onto the garment as a painter would work on canvas. The strokes are deliberate, luminous, and irreducible bringing the intimacy of a Ravi Varma portrait into the architecture of a garment.

Isha Ambani wore a custom couture saree by Gaurav Gupta, created in collaboration with Swadesh artisans. The saree was woven with threads of pure gold and featured hand-painted pichwai-inspired motifs in soft gold and earthy tones. The design presented the saree as an artistic form, with a sculptural drape. The entire outfit was crafted over 1200 hours by over 50 artisans.

Her blouse, detailed with diamonds and metallic zardozi work, came from her mother Nita Ambani's personal collection, along with additions from Lorraine Schwartz and Kantilal Chhotalal. The look also included a historic sarpech piece placed at the back, which was once part of the Nizam's collection. Isha completed her look with a jasmine-inspired hair sculpture, designed as a modern take on the traditional mogra gajra. The piece was handcrafted over 150 hours using paper, copper and brass.

However, what caught the eye of everyone was her mango-shaped sculpture by artist Subodh Gupta. The accessory served as a nod to Indian heritage and added an artistic element to her overall appearance. Mango, which is also the national fruit of India, lent deeper cultural symbolism to the striking piece.

India's renowned designer Manish Malhotra, who returned to fashion's biggest night in Hollywood on Monday, paid a tribute to Mumbai and the craftsmen of India through his meaningful ensemble. He donned a Mumbai-inspired couture, consisting of a black bandhgala layered with a 960-hour cape crafted by 50 artisans.

"Dori, zardozi, chikankari, and kasab embroidery come together as a narrative. Woven into the piece are the names and signatures of the artisans themselves- a tribute to every hand and every moment that shaped it. Intricate hand-embroidery serves as references to Mumbai's cinematic landmarks, while three-dimensional sculptural elements celebrate the artisans of his atelier who crafted the piece. This look is both a celebration and a reminder - of where we come from, and how Indian craftsmanship continues to find its place on a global stage," he explained.

Billionaire philanthropist Sudha Reddy walked the 2026 Met Gala carpet in a custom outfit designed by Manish Malhotra.
She wore an ensemble titled 'The Tree of Life', which drew from the traditional Kalamkari art form from South India. The outfit was created over 3,459 hours by more than 90 artisans and brought together several handwork techniques. The look also included elements linked to Telangana, such as the Palapitta bird, Jammi Chettu tree and Tangedu flower, along with symbols like the Sun and Moon. A long trail and a sheer cape added to the look, while a hand-crafted metal installation at the back completed the design.

Natasha Poonawalla made a striking entrance in a look that immediately drew attention. This year, she wore a sculptural creation by Marc Quinn, paired with a custom couture ensemble by Dolce & Gabbana. The outfit was built around a bold floral-inspired concept. The ensemble featured a large white structure shaped like flower petals that framed her body.

Ananya Birla wore a custom creation by Robert Wun, paired with a sculptural mask designed by artist Subodh Gupta. The outfit featured a structured black jacket with a dramatic peplum and a voluminous pleated skirt, giving it a strong, sculpted silhouette.

The most eye-catching element of the look was the metallic face mask made using stainless steel. The piece covered her face completely, turning the look into something both powerful and mysterious.

Making an elegant first appearance, princess Gauravi Kumari and the titular Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Padmanabh Singh (fondly known as Pacho) brought Indian regal legacy to the global stage. With Prabal Gurung, Gauravi revived her grandmother Gayatri Devi’s old saree, which was transformed into a flowing gown. The jewellery is unmistakably inspired by royal heirloom styling, with layered pearl necklaces cascading down the torso, an unmistakable nod to Maharani Gayatri Devi’s signature style. 

While Pacho’s look turned to a regional form, celebrating Rajasthani craftsmanship through the Phulghar coat. The piece took more than 600 hours to complete. It featured aari and zardozi embroidery, with dabka and resham work adding further texture and detail.