The most anticipated night in fashion, the Met Gala 2024, unfurled its red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, witnessing an array of celebrities and icons. While the event showcased the crème de la crème of global talent and style, a particular buzz surrounded the luminous presence of several Indian stars who left an indelible mark with their sartorial elegance.
Bollywood sensation Alia Bhatt, in her second Met Gala appearance, captured imaginations in a breathtaking mint-green saree designed by Sabyasachi. Her attire, featuring a remarkable 23-foot-long train, perfectly echoed the gala’s theme for the year, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” Bhatt, who commanded attention at her debut in 2023 with a Prabal Gurung creation, once again proved her fashion mettle on this prestigious platform.
Isha Ambani, the illustrious daughter of business magnates Mukesh and Nita Ambani, was resplendent in a custom saree-gown by designer Rahul Mishra. More than just a garment, her dress was a work of art, complete with a long floral train and a canvas of intricate hand embroidery, requiring a staggering 10,000 hours of craftsmanship.
Socialite Natasha Poonawalla, a seasoned Met Gala attendee, turned heads in a bespoke ensemble from Maison Margiela’s Artisanal Collection. The visionary behind her look was none other than the iconic designer John Galliano, who ensured that Poonawalla’s style narrative was as captivating as it was distinctive.
Indian-origin comedian and actor Mindy Kaling also made her mark, bringing a unique flair to the red carpet. Clad in a sweeping sculptural gown by Gaurav Gupta, Kaling’s choice, titled ‘The Melting Flower of Time’, was emblematic of both a budding and a withering flower, seamlessly aligning with the evening’s thematic ode to fashion’s endless cycles of rebirth and transformation.
Ambika Mod, the British-Indian actress known for her role in the hit Netflix series One Day, exuded a blend of classic and contemporary poise. Her choice of attire, a custom black-and-white piece from the Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe, stood out for its elegance and demonstration of cross-cultural fashion synergy.
In a historic first, Indian couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee became the inaugural Indian designer to grace the Met Gala red carpet, donning an embroidered cotton duster coat from his own Resort 2024 collection. Complemented by pieces from the Sabyasachi High Jewellery line, his ensemble illustrated the zenith of Indian craftsmanship and the global footprint of Indian design.
The Met Gala is not merely a checkpoint for the fashion-forward; it’s a bubbling cauldron of creativity, where art, culture, and fashion intersect to redefine the parameters of styling and haute couture. This year’s theme begged a revisitation and reinterpretation of sartorial expressions, and the Indian contingent, with their blend of tradition and innovation, made a powerful statement that resonated with the celebration of the exhibition titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
With inputs from the Press Trust of India, this coverage showcases just a fragment of the tremendous impact and finesse that the Indian representatives brought to one of the most prestigious fashion fundraising galas. The gala not only underlines the importance of the Costume Institute but also sets the tone for fashion trends that ricochet across the globe. Indeed, the Met Gala serves as a reminder that fashion is a universal language, spoken with equal fluency by those hailing from the diverse tapestry of India.
