Desi Elegance Takes Over the Met Gala 2025

May 9, 2025

The Met Gala 2025 was a landmark moment for Desi representation, with Indian celebrities, designers, and entrepreneurs making bold statements on the global fashion stage. The theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," celebrated the art of tailoring and the influence of Black dandyism, but Indian stars infused it with their own cultural heritage, proving that South Asian craftsmanship and innovation belong in the highest echelons of fashion.

Shah Rukh Khan: The King’s Regal Debut

For his first-ever Met Gala appearance, Shah Rukh Khan stunned in a custom Sabyasachi Mukherjee ensemble. His look featured a floor-length black wool coat with horn buttons, paired with a silk shirt and tailored trousers, exuding understated opulence. The accessories elevated the outfit—a crystal-studded ‘K’ pendant, layered gold chains, a diamond star brooch, and an 18k gold cane, designed with a Bengal tiger head crafted in gold and precious stones.

Diljit Dosanjh: Punjabi Pride in Couture

Diljit Dosanjh made his Met Gala debut in a Prabal Gurung sherwani, featuring gold embroidery of Punjab’s map and the Gurmukhi alphabet. His bejewelled turban, sat-lada necklace, and lion-headed kirpan paid homage to Sikh heritage, blending cultural identity with red carpet grandeur.

Kiara Advani: A Tribute to Motherhood

Kiara Advani’s Gaurav Gupta couture was a sculptural masterpiece, symbolizing motherhood and creation. The gown featured metallic heart detailing and an umbilical cord-inspired design, making it one of the most talked-about looks of the night.

Priyanka Chopra: The Queen of the Met

A Met Gala veteran, Priyanka Chopra returned in a Balmain polka-dot ensemble, perfectly interpreting the theme’s emphasis on tailored elegance. She and Nick Jonas twinned in striking white outfits, blending Hollywood glamour with Desi charisma.

Isha Ambani: Grace in Anamika Khanna Couture

Isha Ambani dazzled in a custom Anamika Khanna creation, which took 20,000 hours to craft. Her look featured intricate geometric embroidery, a tailored jacket, and a corset, blending Indian craftsmanship with global fashion. The pièce de résistance? The Jeanne Toussaint Cartier necklace, worth approximately ₹1,200 crore ($150 million), once owned by the Maharaja of Nawanagar.

Mona Patel: The Tech Visionary Who Stole the Show

Indian-American entrepreneur Mona Patel made waves in a custom Thom Browne ensemble, featuring a structured black trench coat, a satin corset blouse, and tailored trousers, merging sleek sophistication with avant-garde innovation. Her standout accessory was a kinetic spine, designed by Lisa Jiang and Timothy Bowl, adding a futuristic touch to her look. But the ultimate showstopper? Vector, her robotic dachshund, developed at MIT. Dressed in a mini tuxedo and attached to a diamond-encrusted leash featuring over 1,000 carats of emerald-cut diamonds, Vector became the most-talked-about companion on the red carpet.

Manish Malhotra & Natasha Poonawalla: Crafting Couture History

Designer Manish Malhotra made his Met Gala debut in a majestic black tuxedo, while Natasha Poonawalla stunned in a Parsi Gara-inspired ensemble, celebrating India’s diverse textile traditions.

A Kerala Carpet & Sabyasachi’s Global Vision

Beyond fashion, India’s presence was felt in the very fabric of the event. The 63,000-square-foot blue carpet was crafted by Neytt by Extraweave, a century-old Kerala brand, marking a quiet but powerful reminder of Indian artisanal excellence.

The Price of Prestige

While exact figures for every outfit remain undisclosed, some estimates suggest:

Shah Rukh Khan’s Sabyasachi ensemble: ₹2-3 crore ($250,000-$375,000)
Diljit Dosanjh’s Prabal Gurung sherwani: ₹1.5 crore ($187,000)
Isha Ambani’s Cartier necklace: ₹1,200 crore ($150 million)
Priyanka Chopra’s Balmain gown: ₹1 crore ($125,000)
Mona Patel’s kinetic spine & AI dachshund: Custom-engineered, estimated at ₹8 crore ($1 million)

A Defining Moment for Indian Fashion

The Met Gala 2025 was more than just a red carpet—it was a cultural statement. Indian celebrities, designers, and innovators didn’t just attend; they owned the night, proving that South Asian heritage and futuristic fashion deserve a permanent place in global fashion.

Image Credits: All images used in this article are licensed from Getty Images.