Indian looks creating waves at Met Gala 2026

Against the glittering backdrop of one of fashion’s most anticipated nights, Met Gala 2026 emerged as a dazzling gathering of global icons of Hollywood, music, sports and beyond. An Indian wave that attracted attention on the red carpet also attended the star-studded meeting. “

From Manish Malhotra to Karan Johar, Isha Ambani and Ananya Birla, Indian intellectuals came not just as guests but also as cultural ambassadors.

Their striking looks and bold sartorial choices underlined India’s growing influence on the world stage and turned heads on a night already packed with spectacle. Here’s a look at the Indian celebrities at the Met Gala 2026 and their stunning ensembles. Karan Johar Karan Johar made a stunning debut at the Met Gala with an ensemble that will be remembered for years to come. Karan brought his interpretation of the ‘Art of Costume’ theme and the ‘fashion is art’ dress code to life in a Manish Malhotra creation. Designed by Manish Malhotra, the ensemble draws its visual language directly from the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and interprets the master’s iconic command of drape, light and ornamentation through contemporary couture. The silhouette is rooted in classical Indian textiles and reconstructed with a precision that allows the fabric to move with the body without losing its sculptural authority. The garment draws inspiration from some of Varma’s most iconic works, including Hamsa Damayanti, Kadambari, Arjuna and Subhadra and There Comes Papa; Each painting was chosen not for show but for the quiet emotional truth it conveys.

What sets the look apart is its finish: details hand-painted in gold by traditional artisans are applied directly onto the garment, much like a painter works on canvas.

Isha Ambani Isha Ambani attended the Met Gala where she wore a designer sari created by Gaurav Gupta in collaboration with Swadesh artisans. The sari was woven with pure gold threads and featured hand-painted pichwai-inspired motifs in soft gold and earthy tones. The design presented the sari as an artistic form with a sculptural drape. Her blouse, detailed with diamond and metallic zardozi work, came from her mother Nita Ambani’s personal collection. The look also featured a piece of a historical sarpech placed at the back, which was once part of the Nizam’s collection. Isha completed her look with a jasmine-inspired hair sculpture designed with a modern take on the traditional mogra gajra. The piece was handcrafted using paper, copper and brass over 150 hours.

Natasha Poonawalla This year, Natasha wore a sculptural creation by Marc Quinn, paired with Dolce & Gabbana’s couture collection. The outfit was created around a bold floral-inspired concept. The ensemble had a large white structure shaped like flower petals framing its body. The design featured a soft, paper-like texture, while the center of the outfit resembled the inside of a flower, giving it a unique and artistic feel. The overall look was in line with the theme of the night and added a strong visual appeal to the red carpet.

For her first appearance at the Met Gala, Princess Gauravi Kumari opted for her grandmother’s old chiffon sari that was transformed into a dress in Jaipur pink. The jewelry featured intricate diamonds and pearls brought to life through traditional art. Keeping it minimal, she paired her long, flowing hair with a kaan chain.

Sawai Padmanabh Singh Sawai Padmanabh Singh wore a traditional Rajasthani Phulgar jacket that took over 600 hours to complete. She completed her look with bandgala, jewellery, jootis and block-printed lining, all harkening back to her deep Rajasthani roots.

Manish Malhotra Manish paid tribute to Mumbai and the artisans of India through his meaningful ensemble. She wore a Mumbai-inspired design that consisted of a black bandhgala covered with a 960-hour cape crafted by 50 artisans. Manish made the outfit stylish with his unique MM brooch and lapel pins.

Sudha Reddy Reddy wore an ensemble titled ‘Tree of Life’ inspired by the traditional Kalamkari art form of South India. The outfit was created by more than 90 artisans over 3,459 hours, combining a variety of handcrafted techniques. The design was inspired by the Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari, known for its hand-painted details and use of natural dyes. The ‘Tree of Life’ motif, symbolizing growth and connection, formed the basis of the outfit. The look also included symbols like Sun and Moon, along with elements associated with Telangana like the Palapitta bird, Jammi Chettu tree and Tangedu flower. The outfit had a structured silhouette in dark blue tones, detailed with gold embroidery on fabrics such as velvet, silk and tulle. A long trail and a sheer cape added to the look, while handcrafted metal plumbing at the back completed the design.

Diya Mehta Jatia Diya’s Met Gala outing turned out to be inspired by the Shola work of West Bengal, making it an architectural ornament placed on exquisite Kanjivaram fabric.