Indian celebrities made a powerful style statement at the Met Gala 2025, turning heads with looks that beautifully fused tradition, tailoring, and modern glamour.

The Met Gala 2025, held on May 5 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, was a dazzling spectacle of fashion, art, and cultural commentary. This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” drew inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. It celebrated Black dandyism, a sartorial movement rooted in the 18th century that challenged social hierarchies through polished menswear and expressive style. The dress code, “Tailored for You,” encouraged personalized interpretations of tailoring, emphasizing identity, creativity, and cultural resonance.

Marking the first Costume Institute exhibition focused solely on menswear since 2003’s Men in Skirts, the 2025 edition was curated by Monica Miller herself. It explored Black dandyism as both an aesthetic and political construct, highlighting its influence on Black identities across the Atlantic diaspora. Organized around 12 characteristics—Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Respectability, Jook, Heritage, Beauty, Cool, and Cosmopolitanism—the exhibition invited attendees to reimagine tailored silhouettes with individual flair.

Historically a subversive act of self-expression, Black dandyism used impeccable style to assert identity and defy stereotypes—making it a powerful lens for this year’s fashion narrative. Indian celebrities made a historic impact on the red carpet, seamlessly blending global glamour with Indian craftsmanship.

Here’s an in-depth look at their standout looks, the designers behind them, and how they interpreted the theme.

Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood’s “King Khan” made a historic debut as the first Indian male actor to attend the Met Gala, commanding attention in a custom black sherwani by Sabyasachi. Featuring a structured silhouette with intricate embroidery, the ensemble was styled with talismanic chains, a jewelled brooch, and a vintage-inspired cane—evoking old-world charm with modern gravitas. The look fused Indian tradition with Parisian tailoring, nodding to the exhibition’s themes of Heritage and Distinction. A bold, oversized ‘K’ necklace added a personal statement, solidifying his presence as a global fashion icon.

Shah Rukh’s outfit captured the dandy’s signature Presence and Cosmopolitanism, blending regal Indian aesthetics with the tailored precision emblematic of Black dandyism. The sherwani’s clean lines and lavish detailing honored the theme’s celebration of polished menswear, while his accessories introduced a theatrical flair, echoing the dandy’s love for bold self-expression.

Kiara Advani

Kiara Advani, expecting her first child with Sidharth Malhotra, made a radiant Met Gala debut in a breathtaking Gaurav Gupta gown. The sleek black dress featured an antique gold breastplate adorned with crystals and droplets, forming a sculptural silhouette that celebrated both strength and vulnerability. The flowing train and intricate embellishments narrated a deeply personal story of motherhood, aligning with the theme’s focus on tailored self-expression and identity.

Merging Indian craftsmanship with the dandy’s flair for bold, refined silhouettes, the look embodied themes of Freedom and Beauty. The structured breastplate evoked power and resilience, while the soft drapery symbolized creation and transformation—making her appearance a poignant tribute to life, femininity, and evolving identity.

Diljit Dosanjh

Diljit Dosanjh, the singer-actor with global acclaim, made a powerful Met Gala debut in a custom sherwani suit by Prabal Gurung. The all-black ensemble featured sharp tailoring paired with a majestic cape embroidered in Sikh Gurmukhi script, a tribute to his Punjabi roots. A handcrafted turban by Indian artisans completed the look, adding a regal touch that stood out on the red carpet.

Diljit’s outfit wasn’t just fashion—it was a statement. Inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, his look honored the legacy of a royal who lived in exile, representing resilience and cultural pride. The sharp sherwani silhouette reflected the polished elegance of Black dandyism, while the script and turban made his identity unmistakably clear. The flowing cape added drama and distinction, turning his appearance into a bold celebration of heritage, strength, and self-expression.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, making her fifth Met Gala appearance, turned heads in a striking polka-dot Balmain suit-dress designed in collaboration with Olivier Rousteing. The look featured a sharply tailored blazer with exaggerated shoulders, paired with a flowing skirt that added movement and drama. Styled with statement Bvlgari jewellery, the outfit brought together elegance and attitude, channeling a retro mob-wife vibe with a touch of old-money glamour.

Her ensemble reimagined the classic dandy suit through a feminine lens, blending structure with softness. The bold polka dots and vintage styling echoed the playful confidence of Black dandyism, while the strong tailoring kept it rooted in the theme’s menswear core. With her signature confidence, high-shine jewels, and effortless presence, Priyanka delivered a look that was cool, cosmopolitan, and completely her own.

Isha Ambani

Isha Ambani stunned at the Met Gala in a stunning Anamika Khanna creation that mixed vintage elegance with modern style. The outfit featured a perfectly tailored jacket with a crisp collar and a beautifully embroidered waistcoat, blending sophistication with artistry. Drawing inspiration from African textiles and global craftsmanship, the design was a true tribute to cultural artistry. The corset, detailed with geometric patterns, subtly tied into the evening’s theme, adding depth to her look.

For her beauty, Isha kept it fresh with dewy makeup and a sleek, long braid that complemented the outfit perfectly. The gown took an impressive 20,000 hours to create, with pearls, semi-precious stones, and heirloom gems—some of which came from the Ambani family’s private collection—giving it a truly personal and luxurious touch.

Natasha Poonawalla 

Natasha Poonawalla, styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania and Lakshmi Lehr, wowed at the Met Gala with a Manish Malhotra look that was a true masterpiece of storytelling through fashion. The outfit featured a corseted, sculpted silhouette that beautifully merged the intricate tradition of Indian Gara embroidery with the bold structure of Western tailoring. The standout piece was a reimagined fishtail skirt, crafted from two antique Gara saris. The hand-embroidered fabric carried the weight of generations, each stitch telling a tale of craftsmanship and artistry.

The black Gara jacket, embroidered with the rare ektaar technique, symbolized a seamless flow of tradition and modernity, with its continuous pattern serving as a quiet act of defiance. Underneath, Natasha paired a vintage French lace bralette, delicately finished with pearls, with a corset-cummerbund. The result was a harmonious blend of understated elegance and the flamboyant flair typical of dandyism.

Mona Patel 

Mona Patel made a bold statement at the Met Gala 2025, wearing a custom Thom Browne creation that perfectly blended bespoke tailoring with cultural storytelling and a futuristic edge. Her red carpet look stood out for its precision and creativity, fusing traditional craftsmanship with a forward-thinking vision. Accompanied by a robotic dog on a diamond leash, Patel’s entrance was as cinematic as it was stylish, redefining the art of making a memorable impact on the red carpet

Manish Malhotra

Renowned designer Manish Malhotra made his Met Gala debut in a majestic black tailored tuxedo from his own label. The tuxedo featured subtle embellishments and a modern cut, exuding understated elegance. Statement jewellery, including a bold brooch, added a touch of Bollywood bling.  

Manish’s look embodied Respectability and Cool, using classic tailoring to honor the theme’s menswear focus while infusing it with Indian flair. The tuxedo’s clean lines and luxurious details reflected the dandy’s polished aesthetic, making a strong case for Indian designers on the global stage.  

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Sabyasachi Mukherjee, attending his second Met Gala, graced the red carpet in a bespoke ensemble from his own label, reaffirming his stature as both a designer and a style icon. His look was a masterclass in understated opulence, featuring a hand-quilted oversized court jacket and sherwani crafted from hand-dyed Murshidabad silk, layered over a satin shirt. He completed the outfit with black quilted trousers, a kamarbandh, and custom-embroidered shoes from Sabyasachi Accessories.

Met Gala 2025 was a triumph of style and substance, with Indian celebrities stealing the spotlight through thoughtful, theme-driven looks. The “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, rooted in the legacy of Black dandyism, provided a rich framework for creativity, and India’s representatives rose to the occasion with unparalleled elegance. 

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This week, we witnessed major fashion milestones and electric festivals that kept everyone buzzing. Here are the highlights you can’t miss. 

Coachella 2025: A Star-Studded Weekend

Coachella 2025 was an unforgettable experience, packed with electrifying performances and surprising moments that fans won’t soon forget. Headliners like Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Travis Scott brought their A-game to the stage. Lady Gaga wowed the crowd with a visually stunning performance that included both her iconic hits and fresh material. Green Day made their Coachella debut, delivering a high-energy set that had everyone rocking out. Travis Scott’s performance drew a massive crowd, though it got some mixed reviews, with fans calling it a bit slow in parts. Other performances that stood out included Megan Thee Stallion, whose power-packed set got everyone hyped, and Missy Elliott, who brought her signature style and futuristic flair. Blackpink’s Lisa and Jennie also had solo sets that gave fans a chance to see them shine as individuals. In a surprising twist, Bernie Sanders made an appearance during Clairo’s set, blending politics with music in a way no one expected. And for a fun throwback, Yo Gabba Gabba! made a surprise comeback with Flavor Flav, reminding everyone of their childhood favorites.

Ananya Panday Becomes Chanel’s First Indian Brand Ambassador

French luxury fashion house Chanel announced Bollywood actor Ananya Panday as its first-ever brand ambassador from India. The announcement follows her recent appearance at Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2025 show in Paris.

Ralph Lauren Brings Edwardian Flair to Tribeca for Fall 2025

Ralph Lauren switched things up for his Fall 2025 show, stepping away from his typical glitzy night showcases to unveil a more refined, Edwardian-inspired collection in broad daylight. The presentation took place at the newly opened Jack Shainman Gallery in Tribeca and focused solely on his signature luxe womenswear. With a front row packed with familiar faces like Anne Hathaway, Sadie Sink, and Naomi Watts, the show felt both intimate and starry. 

YouTube’s ‘Hype’ Feature Offers Boost for Emerging Creators

YouTube’s Hype, introduced last year, gives lesser-known creators a new way to gain visibility. Viewers can tap a ‘Hype’ button on eligible videos they think deserve more attention. These videos then appear on a dedicated Hype leaderboard, offering a spotlight driven by the community rather than the algorithm. Unlike traditional ranking systems, Hype doesn’t impact search results, making it a separate space for discovery based purely on viewer support.

Nationwide Protests Erupt Across the US Against Trump’s Leadership Amid ‘Hands Off’ Movement

People across the United States took to the streets in all 50 states, rallying under the banner of the “Hands Off” movement to voice strong opposition to what they see as President Donald Trump’s growing authoritarianism and billionaire-fueled agenda. The nationwide protests were backed by more than 150 progressive organizations, including groups like MoveOn, Indivisible, and a wide range of advocates focused on civil rights, gender equality, veterans’ issues, labor rights, climate justice, and LGBTQ+ protections. The coordinated demonstrations reflected a collective outcry against what organizers called a dangerous overreach of power.

Also Read: Vivienne Westwood Makes Historic India Debut at the Gateway of India

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HSBC presented Vivienne Westwood’s historic India debut at the Gateway of India, in partnership with Vivz Fashion School and the Ministry of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra.

On April 1, 2025, history was made at Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India as Vivienne Westwood staged its first-ever fashion show in India. The evening was a grand celebration of India’s textile heritage, with a runway stretching 166 feet across the historic landmark, glowing under a spectrum of vivid lights. This momentous showcase was made possible through a collaboration with Vivz Fashion School and the Department of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra. It brought together the elegance of Vivienne Westwood’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection and a special couture capsule crafted from India’s finest hand-woven Chanderi silks and Khadi cotton, wool, and silk. These fabrics—symbols of India’s rich artisanal traditions and independence movement—were sourced from esteemed textile houses like Khadi India and Aaranya/Gwalior.

For Andreas Kronthaler, Creative Director of Vivienne Westwood, working with these fabrics was more than just a design choice—it was an immersion into India’s cultural legacy. “I loved getting to know Khadi and Chanderi fabrics. There’s a soul in handwoven textiles, a human touch that makes them timeless,” he shared. The collection itself mirrored the natural beauty of these fabrics—airy white muslins, raw silks in earthy sand tones, deep stone-hued pashmina, sky blues, bold purples, and rich blacks. Staying true to Westwood’s signature style, the designs blended structured tailoring with soft draping, giving Indian textiles a fresh, contemporary twist. Each piece was designed to let the fabric shine, with no unnecessary embellishments, allowing the craftsmanship to take center stage.

For Vivienne Westwood’s CEO, Carlo D’Amario, this show was a long time coming. “India’s textile heritage is extraordinary, and after being introduced to Khadi through our partners at Vivz Fashion School, we knew we wanted to explore it further. Meeting Priyadarshini Scindia, the Queen of Gwalior, and learning about the work being done with traditional artisans was truly inspiring. Westwood has always valued craftsmanship and heritage—our partnerships have spanned the UK, Europe, Africa, and now, India. It’s an honor to be here at the Gateway of India for this incredible moment.”

The audience was as dazzling as the event itself, with a mix of royalty, Bollywood stars, top designers, and fashion influencers. Members of the Gwalior royal family, including Priyadarshini Raje Scindia and Yuvraj Mahanaaryaman Rao Scindia, attended, alongside dignitaries from Baroda, Panna, and Mayurbhanj. Bollywood stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Aditya Roy Kapur graced the occasion, while leading designers like Manish Malhotra, Kunal Rawal, and Falguni & Shane Peacock, along with stylists like Anaita Shroff Adajania and Shaleena Nathani, added to the glamour. Fashion influencers like Diipa Khosla and Aashna Shroff, who bridge the gap between Indian and global fashion, were also in attendance.

The event had strong brand collaborations, with HSBC as the presenting partner, offering an experiential zone dedicated to creativity. Tira brought its beauty expertise to the event, aligning with Westwood’s ethos of individuality. Porsche Centre Mumbai showcased the sleek all-electric Taycan, adding a futuristic edge, while Vedica, Anax Holding, World Villas by Arihant, and Fashion Entrepreneur Fund lent their support.

In a city that has long been a cultural crossroads, Vivienne Westwood’s India debut felt like a natural, yet groundbreaking, moment. It was more than just a fashion show—it was a tribute to craftsmanship, heritage, and the art of weaving the past into the future.

Also Read: Indian Mobility Awards 2025: Recognizing the Future of Innovation

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