On the first Monday in May 2026, as dawn dawned over New York, all eyes were on the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the top stars in entertainment and fashion gathered for an annual event known as "the most important night in fashion." The world's fashion elite gathered for the 2026 Met Gala, but Indian celebs were the most noticeable on the red carpet.
South Asian and Indian representation at the Met Gala has grown over the previous few years, with a number of Indian celebrities showing up among the distinguished guests. Additionally, a number of worldwide luminaries, such Manish Malhotra and Gaurav Gupta, have elevated India to the forefront of fashion.
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Celebrities including Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra, and Isha Ambani made eye-catching entrances on the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala, each offering an own take on the theme of "Fashion is Art." Additionally, the occasion gave Indian designers a worldwide stage on which to present their nation's outstanding craftsmanship, varied textile customs, and rich artistic legacy.
Here are a few of Indian celebrities' most memorable red carpet moments from the 2026 Met Gala:
1. Karan Johar in custom Manish Malhotra at Met 2026
Image Source: WWM India
Karan Johar, an Indian director and businessman, debuted in an exquisite costume created by Manish Malhotra. Mr. Johar's cloak, jacket, and slacks all featured paintings by renowned Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma, which served as a direct source of inspiration for his design. Intricate details, including as hand-painted motifs, zardozi borders, 3D pillars, pictures of lotuses and swans, and a hand-painted jacket lining, were included in the statement piece, which took more than 5,600 hours to create. Johar made his Met Gala debut at this event as well, and it was definitely unforgettable.
2. Isha Ambani in custom Gaurav Gupta at Met 2026
Image Source: Vogue
Isha Ambani, an Indian industrialist, walked the Met Gala 2026 red carpet wearing a custom-made Gaurav Gupta sari that was influenced by Indian craft heritage and old Indian murals. The elaborate sari had a deep color and a regal appearance because it was stitched with genuine gold threads. Traditional zardozi, aari work, and relief stitching techniques were used in the design of the sari border, which featured hand-painted designs inspired by pichwai. In addition, the garment's bodice set had more than 200 diamonds. Isha accessorized the ensemble with jewelry from the personal collection of her mother, Nita Ambani. According to sources, the outfit took more than 1,200 hours to produce and involved more than 50 craftspeople.
3. Manish Malhotra in Self Creation at Met 2026
Image Source: GQ India
In addition to creating gorgeous outfits for celebrities, renowned Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra wore his own creations on the Met Gala 2026 red carpet. By wearing a cape over a traditional bandhgala with their signatures sewn on it, he honored Mumbai's artisans, many of whom had worked with him on several projects. Incorporating references to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Gateway of India, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, along with themes of trains and cabs, he further employed craftsmanship to commemorate Indian architectural legacy and everyday Mumbai life.
4. Sudha Reddy in Manish Malhotra at Met 2026
Image Source: Vogue
Sudha Reddy, an Indian philanthropist and businesswoman wearing a couture Manish Malhotra dress made her appearance on the red carpet. Ms. Reddy accessorized an enormous embroidered cloak with elaborate elements and the Kalamkari technique to a lavish black ball gown. But her gems were the main attraction; she accessorized the ensemble with a $15 million necklace. The look's design elements included elaborate zardozi embellishments, antique gold zari, and sculpted velvet. Additionally, traditional Indian themes like Palapitta, Jammi Chettu, Kalpavriksha, Tangedu, Surya, Chandra, and Kalpa were used in clothing.
5. Ananya Birla in Robert Wun at Met 2026
Image Source: TossHub
Ananya Birla made a remarkable entrance on the Met Gala 2026 red carpet in a stunning Robert Wun ballgown, styled by renowned Indian stylist Rhea Kapoor. But what attracted the most attention was her headpiece. Crafted from traditional Indian cutlery, the sculptural mask-cum-headpiece elevated the idea of "Fashion is Art" by turning unusual materials into couture. Renowned Indian sculptor Subodh Gupta used common Indian life as inspiration for the piece's design.
6. Diya Mehta Jatia in Mayyur Girotra at Met 2026
Image Source: AssetType
Diya Mehta Jatia, an Indian fashion consultant, businesswoman, and philanthropist, had a stunning Met Gala debut wearing an eye-catching Mayyur Girotra design. She introduced traditional Shola craft to the world while wearing a gold-and-white outfit. The Shola design, which was set on a delicate Kanjeevaram basis and had elaborate flower motifs, gave the garment a luxurious and elegant appearance. Shola workmanship, which has its roots in Bengali creative tradition, is renowned for its intricate patterns and delicate, light textures. Baroque and French architectural elements further enhanced the ensemble, highlighting the piece's fine craftsmanship and detailed detailing.
7. Sawai Padmanabh Singh & Gauravi Kumari in Prabal Gurung at Met 2026
Image Source: Vogue
Padmanabh Singh and Gauravi Kumari, two members of the Jaipur royal family, were also present at the 2026 Met Gala. They were both dressed by Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung. Gauravi Kumari chose an off-pink sari-inspired outfit, while Padmanabh Singh wore a traditional galabandh suit and an embroidered velvet robe with Rajputana designs. Both styles were greatly influenced by traditional Jaipur aesthetics. Pearls, diamonds, and emeralds from each royal's personal collection were used as accessories.
8. Natasha Poonawala in Marc Quinn and Dolce & Gabbana at Met 2026
Image Source: Vogue
Natasha Poonawalla embodied the "Fashion is Art" theme by wearing a flowing white gown by Dolce & Gabbana with a sculptural Marc Quinn orchid design. The combination created a stunning and unusual statement by experimenting with the juxtaposition between the softness of the flowing skirt and the stiff, artistic structure of the orchid form.
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Indian representation stood out for its complex and varied interpretations of the theme, "Fashion is Art," even though Monday's Met Gala attracted attention from all over the world for the artistic expressions of prominent artists and celebrities. Additionally, the occasion provided Indian designers and celebrities with a strong platform to present their nation's rich artistic legacy on a worldwide scale.
Indian guests offered depth and cultural storytelling to the red carpet, showcasing everything from Bengal's dwindling Shola craft tradition to the captivating paintings of Raja Ravi Varma. Their assessments emphasized India's increasing significance in establishing global fashion narratives by reflecting both innovation and heritage.
