Filmmaker Karan Johar is set to make his debut at the Met Gala on May 4, with celebrity designer Manish Malhotra confirmed to style him for the event.
The announcement comes as Indian craftsmanship continues to gain significant traction on the global fashion stage.
In a recent interview, Malhotra expressed his enthusiasm for styling the director, noting Johar’s long-standing influence on both cinema and fashion.
This marks Malhotra’s second year at the prestigious event, having previously designed for figures such as Coco Jones and Natasha Poonawalla.
Meanwhile, ahead of the much-awaited event, Isha Ambani, Non-Executive Director at Reliance, attended the Vogue Met Gala pre-party in New York on May 1, wearing a custom Manish Malhotra creation in collaboration with Swadesh.
Styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania, the strapless gown was designed as a tribute to this year’s theme, “Costume Art.”
The ensemble featured 26 distinct borders representing different regions of India. Developed over 450 hours by Swadesh artisans, the dress integrated a wide array of traditional techniques, including Uttar Pradesh’s zari work, Parsi gara embroidery, Maheshwari weaves, Kanjeevaram silk, and Banarasi brocade. The design aimed to celebrate the natural human form while highlighting the country’s diverse artisan heritage.
The 2026 Met Gala will be held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, celebrating the Costume Institute’s new exhibition. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the exhibition explores the intricate relationship between fashion and the human body. (Agencies)
Met Gala 2026: Karan Johar set for debut; Isha Ambani stuns in regional ensemble at pre-party
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