Met Gala 2026: Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra to Isha, how Indians turned “Fashion Is Art” into a living canvas

The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art transformed into a global gallery this year, but Indian attendees didn’t just follow the brief, they expanded it. At the Met Gala 2026, where the theme “Fashion Is Art” demanded imagination, India’s presence felt deeply intentional. Each look carried history, craft, and storytelling, stitched together with a sense of pride.

From archival textiles to sculptural couture, Indian celebrities and tastemakers didn’t treat fashion as surface-level glamour. They approached it like artists, layering references, emotions, and heritage into every detail.

A Painted Tribute: Karan Johar’s Regal Debut

Making his Met Gala debut, Karan Johar arrived not just dressed, but curated. His custom look by Manish Malhotra felt like a moving painting inspired by Raja Ravi Varma.

The outfit revolved around a dramatic cape layered over a sharply tailored sherwani. Crafted in deep black fabric, the structure itself was powerful, with broad shoulders, a sweeping length, and a silhouette that commanded attention. But the real story lay on the surface. The cape featured hand-painted imagery reminiscent of classical Indian art, framed with intricate zardozi embroidery in gold.

Lotuses, swans, and mythological figures unfolded across the fabric like a museum mural. Styled with tinted aviators and bold emerald jewellery, the look balanced old-world richness with modern flair. It wasn’t just fashion, it was storytelling stitched in thread and pigment.

Gold, Grandeur, and Precision: Isha Ambani’s Sculptural Saree

Few looks captured opulence like Isha Ambani in Gaurav Gupta. Her ensemble reimagined the saree through a couture lens, crafted using gold threads and embellished with hundreds of diamonds.

The structure featured a corset-style blouse paired with a richly detailed drape, elevated by a halo-like veil that framed her silhouette. The metallic finish gave the outfit a liquid gold effect, while intricate filigree work added dimension.

Styled with statement emerald and diamond jewellery, the look felt both divine and futuristic, a rare balance of tradition and innovation.

The Designer as Storyteller: Manish Malhotra’s Own Moment

Beyond dressing others, Manish Malhotra made his own statement on the carpet. His monochrome look featured a black bandhgala layered with a richly embroidered cape that took nearly 960 hours to complete.

The design read like a visual diary. Through threadwork and 3D appliqué, it depicted elements of the film industry, cameras, ladders, human figures, an ode to Mumbai and the artisans behind his journey.

Long white fringes added movement, bringing the static embroidery to life. The styling stayed minimal, allowing the narrative of the garment to remain front and centre.

Experimental Edge: Ananya Birla’s Bold Statement

While some leaned into heritage, Ananya Birla took a more conceptual route. Wearing a structured black ensemble by Robert Wun, styled by Rhea Kapoor, her look blurred the line between fashion and installation art.

The defining element was a striking metallic mask created by Subodh Gupta. It added a layer of anonymity and intrigue, turning her into a living sculpture. Clean lines, sharp tailoring, and a futuristic finish made the outfit feel like a commentary on identity and perception.

It stood apart, proving that “art” doesn’t always have to look traditional, it can provoke, disrupt, and challenge.

Royal Threads Reimagined: Gauravi Kumari and Sawai Padmanabh Singh

Royalty brought quiet elegance to the carpet. Gauravi Kumari chose to reinterpret a vintage chiffon saree once worn by Gayatri Devi. Instead of preserving it in its original form, she transformed it into a fluid gown that moved effortlessly.

The look felt personal and intimate, less about spectacle and more about legacy. Soft drapes, minimal styling, and an understated glow allowed the history of the garment to shine.

Alongside her, Sawai Padmanabh Singh stayed rooted in tradition with a velvet coat layered over classic Indian silhouettes. His ensemble reflected quiet luxury, proving that restraint can be just as impactful as extravagance.

Avant-Garde Bloom: Natasha Poonawalla’s Sculptural Fantasy

Known for pushing boundaries, Natasha Poonawalla delivered one of the most visually striking looks of the night. Her outfit centred around a massive, sculptural orchid that formed the bodice.

The exaggerated petals framed her body and head, turning her into a walking installation. The rigid structure contrasted beautifully with a soft, flowing white skirt below.

Minimal styling, slick hair and statement diamond earrings kept the focus on the garment’s dramatic form. It was bold, surreal, and impossible to ignore.

Craft as Spectacle: Sudha Reddy’s Dramatic Ode

If there was a look that captured scale and intricacy, it was Sudha Reddy in Manish Malhotra. Her ensemble featured a sculpted corset, a sweeping train, and a sheer cape adorned with ‘Tree of Life’ motifs inspired by Kalamkari art.

The craftsmanship was the highlight, every inch detailed, every motif telling a story. The silhouette balanced structure and fluidity, while her jewellery, including a rare tanzanite centrepiece, added depth without overwhelming the look. It felt immersive, like stepping into a living artwork rooted in Indian textile traditions.

When Fashion Becomes Identity

What stood out this year wasn’t just the clothes, it was the intention behind them. Each Indian attendee approached the theme with clarity. Some drew from classical art, others from personal heritage, and a few leaned into experimental design.

Together, they created a powerful narrative. One that said fashion isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about where you come from, what you carry forward, and how you choose to express it.

At the Met Gala 2026, India didn’t just show up. It translated culture into couture, history into design, and identity into art and in doing so, truly understood the assignment.