Fashion’s biggest night of the year unfolded just days ago, with the Met Gala 2026 setting the tone with a theme that couldn’t have been clearer: Fashion is Art. And while not everyone quite got the picture, a few truly did – turning the carpet into something far more than just a parade of looks.
If there was one thing that stood out this year, it was this – India didn’t just show up; it owned the brief. Because art, for us, has always been second nature.
From Manish Malhotra bringing his atelier to life on the carpet, to Isha Ambani championing legacy and heirloom jewellery, and contemporary voices like Subodh Gupta bringing their art to a global stage – India at the Met Gala was nothing short of exquisite.
The iconic carpet by Neytt by Extraweave
For the fourth year in a row, the Met’s iconic carpet was crafted by Neytt by Extraweave, a label from Cherthala, Kerala that continues to bring traditional Indian weaving to one of fashion’s biggest stages. Woven over 90 days by nearly 500 artisans using sisal fibre sourced from Madagascar, the carpet struck a balance between sustainability and high fashion.
Manish Malhotra’s craft-laden masterpieces
Making his second appearance at the Met, Manish Malhotra quite literally brought his atelier with him. Dressed in a black bandhgala, his ensemble featured the names of artisans he’s worked with over the years – woven into the fabric itself. Alongside that, detailed motifs of Mumbai – the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Gateway of India, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – sat alongside trains, taxis, and fragments of everyday life. Miniature resin figures of embroiderers and tailors completed the piece.
Karan Johar, dressed in custom Manish Malhotra and styled by Eka Lakhani, leaned into a more painterly narrative. Inspired by Raja Ravi Varma, his look translated iconic imagery into a hand-painted ensemble, complete with zardozi borders, sculpted pillars, lotuses, swans, and an intricately detailed jacket lining.
Isha Ambani reimagined what it means to be draped in legacy
Isha Ambani went all in on heritage. Wearing pieces from her mother, Nita Ambani’s private collection – rare emeralds and polki – she paired it with a custom sculptural saree by Gaurav Gupta. Woven in pure gold threads by Swadesh artisans and styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania, the look drew from ancient Indian frescoes, with pichwai-inspired motifs lining the border.
Subodh Gupta brought the language of art directly onto the carpet
For those unfamiliar, Subodh Gupta is a contemporary Indian artist based in New Delhi known for transforming everyday objects – especially stainless steel utensils – into large-scale installations. At the Met, his work found new context.
Ananya Birla wore a mask by Gupta made of everyday kitchen utensils, imitating a skull, dressed in Robert Wun’s extravagant couture gown. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, the ensemble featured a structured blazer and voluminous pleated skirt.
Isha Ambani carried a hand-painted bronze mango by Subodh Gupta – a nearly 20-year-old sculpture that read less like an accessory and more like a statement. Arguably one of the most striking details of the night, it doubled as a subtle yet powerful nod to cultural memory.
The Jaipur Royals celebrated Rajasthani heritage
Sawai Padmanabh Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur, made a regal debut alongside Princess Gauravi Kumari, wearing custom Prabal Gurung. Pacho wore a deep velvet Phulghar coat, hand-embroidered over 600 hours by Jaipur artisans, whereas Gauravi honoured their great-grandmother, Maharani Gayatri Devi, by reinterpreting a vintage chiffon saree into a modern gown.
Natasha Poonawalla brought her signature bold style to the carpet
Known for her bold and avant-garde style, the fashion icon Natasha Poonawalla leaned into sculpture with a piece by the British visual artist Marc Quinn. The Orchid Pectoral – crafted in high-tech gessoed resin – sat like armour on the body, paired with a gown by Dolce & Gabbana.
Sudha Reddy interprets the Tree of Life and Kalamkari craft
Centred around the Tree of Life, Sudha Reddy’s look – crafted with Manish Malhotra and styled by Mariel Haenn – translated Kalamkari traditions from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana into a modern, narrative-led look.
On a night that asked for interpretation, India gave everything it had. What stood out wasn’t just the scale or spectacle, but the depth. From ateliers to archives, and from contemporary artists to generational craft, India’s presence at the Met Gala 2026 proved one thing – when fashion meets art, this is what it can look like.
