India At Met Gala 2026, Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra, Ananya Birla Bring Tradition To Global Stage

The Met Gala 2026 is here, and we have been on the edge of our seats to see what our favourite celebrities and influencers are wearing to the biggest fashion night of the year. The theme for this year’s gala is Costume Art, and the dress code has been announced as Fashion is Art. Now, celebrities have begun to grace the red carpet, taking the wind out of our lungs: team India, including Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra, Ananya Birla, and Sudha Reddy. So, let’s see what the Indian celebrities have worn to the big night.

Karan Johar stuns in an outfit inspired by the Indian painter, Raja Ravi Varma

Indian celebrities have been turning heads on the red carpet, not just bringing their A-game but also paying tribute to Indian history through their own interpretations of Fashion is Art. And the first one on our list to leave us amazed is Karan Johar. The director made his debut at the iconic red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a custom Manish Malhotra moment, and boy, did it blow our minds away. The Bollywood filmmaker looked like a walking painting and brought his signature flair and drama to fashion’s biggest night.

For his big debut, Karan Johar trusted his long-term friend and ace Indian designer, Manish Malhotra. He paid tribute to the famed Indian painter, Raja Ravi Varma. His ensemble included a bandhgala with intricate golden embroidery, a painting of a woman on the left panel, black trousers, and a massive cape-style jacket, all featuring paintings by Varma. He paired the look with statement jewels from Tayaani Jewellery, footwear from Copper Mallet, and eyewear from Anna-Karin Karlsson at R. Kumar Opticians.

Manish Malhotra brings Mumbai to the Met Gala

Manish Malhotra is back at the Met Gala, and to represent Fashion is Art, the designer has brought Mumbai to the red carpet. Wearing his own design, the ace designer wore a black-and-white moment that, according to him, “presents a deeply personal couture statement inspired by Mumbai, the city that has defined his creative identity, and his atelier of artisans who help him build his dream each day.” He doesn’t just pay tribute to the city’s nuances but also shows how fashion has evolved over the years. His ensemble featured, “an Indian bandhgala layered with an architectural cape crafted over 960 hours by 50 artisans across Delhi and Mumbai, transforming the garment into a living narrative of lace, memory and authorship.”

Manish’s ensemble featured traditional Indian techniques, including zari work, zardozi, chikankari and kasab in white and ivory, which are integrated as “storytelling, while the names and signatures of every artisan are embroidered directly into the lining and on the cape”. The magnificent piece further included intricate hand embroidery that serves as a reference to Mumbai’s cinematic landmarks. However, what really caught our attention were the three-dimensional sculptural elements that celebrate the artisans of his atelier who crafted the pieces, positioning the look as both an homage and a declaration.

Ananya Birla brings a collaboration with global and swadeshi at the Met Gala

Ananya Birla has marked her debut at the Met Gala with a blend of high fashion and domestic art. The businesswoman and singer chose a structured Robert Wun couture set with a liquid-metal pleated skirt as her base. However, she added her desi roots to it with the showstopper, which was her “armour”. Ananya opted for a face mask created by artist Subodh Gupta, crafted from traditional Indian stainless-steel silverware. It was a bold statement on turning everyday household objects like spoons, bowls, tiny tiffins and glasses into extraordinary art.

Suddha Reddy pays homage to 3,000-year-old textile art

Sudha Reddy returned to the Met Gala with a look she called “The Tree of Life.” She too wore a custom Manish Malhotra gown that celebrated Kalamkari. For the unversed, Kamalkari is a 3,000-year-old textile art. The royal blue corseted silhouette featured a massive seven-metre trail with peacock motifs and a metal vine installation at the back. The gorgeous piece reportedly took over 3,400 hours to create, serving as a stunning tribute to Hyderabad’s flora and fauna.

image credit: karanjohar/IG, manishmalhotra05/IG, sudhareddy.official/IG, ananyabirla/IG

What are your thoughts on the stunning looks by Indian celebrities at the Met Gala? Let us know.

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