The Met Gala, often referred to as fashion’s biggest night, is one of the most popular and prestigious pop culture events of the year. But did you know that desi representation has gradually grown over the years, with multiple stars making bold couture statements?
The Met Gala: Significance
The Met Gala is considered to be one of the most iconic and prestigious events in pop culture. It is often referred to as fashion’s biggest night and always happens on the first Monday of May. Proceeds from the charity gala go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
India’s Journey to the Met
Earlier, Indians would occasionally appear at the Met Gala. But, in recent years, India’s presence at the iconic gala has increased significantly with consistent cultural showcases. And celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Natasha Poonawalla and Isha Ambani have become regulars at the event.
Indian Celebrities at the Met Gala 2026
The Met Gala for 2026 featured multiple Indian celebrities:
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Isha Ambani: A businesswoman and socialite, Isha Ambani wore a sparkling saree by designer Gaurav Gupta, which was envisioned as ‘a sculptural statement’. The saree featured elements like a sculptural cape, hand-painted Pichwai motifs and a rhinestone-encrusted blouse that featured jewels from her mother Nita Ambani’s collection. Her outfit was made by 25 artisans over the course of 1200 hours.
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Karan Johar: Bollywood filmmaker and producer Karan Johar made his Met Gala debut wearing a black and gold outfit from Manish Malhotra. The custom made look was inspired by the art of Raja Ravi Verma, a prominent Indian painter. While speaking about his look, Johar thanked the designer. “To bring our Indian culture to the global stage with the vision of couture and gratitude woven together is an art form in itself, which he has mastered. You made me feel like a canvas for your art, thank you!” he said.
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Manish Malhotra: Acclaimed fashion designer Manish Malhotra marked his second Met Gala appearance, in an elaborate black and white ensemble. Malhotra shared that his look paid tribute to the artisans of Delhi and Mumbai.
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Sudha Reddy: Businesswoman and philanthropist Sudha Reddy, sparkled at the Met Gala 2026 in a custom Manish Malhotra look. The kalamkari inspired ensemble was rooted in her hometown of Hyderabad. “That became the conceptual axis around which everything else evolved,” she claimed.
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Natasha Poonawalla: Philanthropist Natasha Poonawalla appeared at this year’s Met Gala in a custom white look from Domenico Dolce and Marc Quinn.
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The Royal Family of Jaipur: Members of Jaipur’s royal family, including Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh and his sister Princess Gauravi Kumari, took to the Met Gala this year. The siblings wore ensembles from prominent Nepalese American fashion designer Prabal Gurung.
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Ananya Birla: Dressed by stylist Rhea Kapoor, singer and businesswoman Ananya Birla wore a showstopping black ensemble from designer Robert Wun. She paired the gown with a sculptural mask from Subodh Gupta and Mehta & Sons jewellery.
Priyanka Chopra, who has been a notable fixture at the Met Gala over the years, skipped the event this year due to the promotions for season 2 of ‘Citadel’.
Memorable Moments at the Met Gala with Indian Celebrities
Indian stars have had multiple memorable moments at the Met Gala. Some of them include Alia Bhatt’s ethereal Sabyasachi saree from 2024, Priyanka Chopra’s trench gown (Ralph Lauren) from 2017, Natasha Poonawalla’s gleaming bustier and gown (Sabyasachi X Schiaparelli), Diljit Dosanjh’s all-white sherwani and cloak from 2025 (Prabal Gurung) and Deepika Padukone’s strapless pink ballgown from 2019 (Zac Posen).
Met Gala 2026: Theme
The theme for the Met Gala 2026 is ‘Costume Art’ with a corresponding dress code of ‘Fashion is Art’. The theme ‘Costume Art’ revolves around the intersection of fashion and art.
Met Gala 2026: When & Where to Stream
The official stream for Met Gala 2026 is available on Vogue’s YouTube channels.
