From Bollywood to Billionaires: South Asians at the 2026 Met Gala

The Met Gala, one of the most anticipated fashion events of the year, has arrived, and this year’s theme is “Fashion is Art.” From Bollywood icons to billionaires, here are some of the South Asians who attended the event, each bringing their own artistic expression to the red carpet.

Manish Mahotra wore a black bandhgala with heavy embroidery and a dramatic sculptural cape. The outfit is all in white and ivory, letting the Mumbai-inspired details and handiwork stand out. It took 960 hours by 50 artisans to make this outfit, and their signatures were also included in the designs.

Isha Ambani stuns in a custom-made gold-thread sari by Gaurav Gupta. and styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania. It pulls in elements from ancient Indian frescoes, with a sari border that’s hand-painted in pichwai-inspired motifs. It took over 1,200 hours to craft this outfit.

Karan Johar just made his most anticipated debut at the Met Gala 2026, bringing his signature flair and drama to fashion's biggest night. He wore a stunning black outfit designed by Manish Malhotra. Inspired by Raja Ravi Varma, the piece features hand-painted details, zardozi borders, 3D pillar textures, and delicate lotus and swan patterns, right down to the lining.

Natasha Poonawalla attended the Met Gala 2026 in a dramatic white orchid sculpture crafted by Marc Quinn, a British visual artist. This outfit symbolises peace amid challenging times, blending art and fashion for the event theme.

Simone Ashley turned heads at the Met Gala 2026 in a daring silver chain gown by Stella McCartney. The outfit carried a whisper-light presence, with 70% repurposed Falabella chains from London.

Sawai Padmanabh Singh, the titular Maharaja of Jaipur, wore a regal Phulghar velvet coat by Prabal Gurung, handicrafted in Jaipur over 600 hours by Yash and Ashima Tholia. The attire celebrated Jaipur's royal textile tradition.

Princess Gauravi Kumari wore a pink chiffon sari that belonged to her grandmother, Maharani Gayatri Devi. This sari was reworked by Prabal Gurung, who transformed this equined sari into a modern expression that gracefully preserves its heritage.

Diya Mehta Jatia, the sister of Shloka Mehta, wore an exquisitely striking piece by Mayyur Girotra. The look features a gold and silver Kanjivaram base with finely sculpted shola work, created over weeks by artisans from Bengal.

Making her 2026 Met Gala debut, Ananya Birla appeared in bold black couture from Robert Wun, featuring a dramatic floor-length pleated ballroom skirt, paired with a metallic mask designed by Subodh Gupta. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, the look tied together structure, artistry, and pieces of personal inheritance.

Businesswoman and philanthropist Sudha Reddy, who is part of one of India’s wealthiest business families, walked the Met Gala carpet in a custom “Tree of Life” ensemble by Manish Malhotra, paying tribute to her Hyderabadi roots. Inspired by the intricate Kalamkari tradition, the piece took 3,459 hours to craft, with 90 artisans working in zardozi, marodi, resham, and detailed metalwork rooted in the 3,000-year-old art form.