Filmmaker Karan Johar and designer Manish Malhotra brought Indian artistry and craftsmanship to the Met Gala 2026 with their elaborately created red-carpet ensembles. The theme for this year is 'Costume Art,' and the dress code is 'Fashion is Art'.
Karan Johar's Grand Debut Met Gala Look
Karan Johar made his Met Gala debut on May 4, with a custom creation by celebrated designer Manish Malhotra. Inspired by the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, including Hamsa Damayanti, Kadambari, Arjuna and Subhadra, and There Comes Papa, the grand outfit featured a sharp power-shouldered vintage jacket paired with a striking hand-painted cape, nearly six feet long. The lavish piece was precisely created by over 80 artisans in about 85 days, with every detail hand painted.
To complete his look, he opted for a beautiful multi-gemstone necklace and rings from his own jewellery brand, Tyaani, adding a personal touch to his ensemble.
In a statement, Karan Johar shared, "I didn't want to arrive here trying to explain India. I wanted to arrive feeling like myself, and that automatically brings everything I come from with it."
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"For me, it had to feel personal, and the moment it felt personal, it became Indian, because that's where everything I know comes from. Every story I've told, every film I've made, every emotion I've tried to put on screen has come from this place. Raja Ravi Varma felt right because his work does something I've always tried to do in cinema. Ravi Varma painted feelings," added Johar.
Styled by Eka Lakhani, Karan Johar said, "This look is my way of wearing that inheritance, and I think that's the most honest thing I could have done for my first MET. To arrive not with a concept, but with a feeling I've carried my whole life and finally found the right form for."
Debuting his Met Gala look with Manish Malhotra, Johar said, "With Manish, there's no translation needed. We've worked together for so long that there's an instinct there. I knew if I was doing this, it had to be with him."
Manish Malhotra's Tribute To Craftsmanship
Designer Manish Malhotra presented a deeply personal and meaningful ensemble that celebrated Indian craftsmanship and his journey in Mumbai. Manish wore a classic Indian bandhgala with heavy white embroidery and a stunning cape. The cape served as the centrepiece of his look. Malhotra paid tribute to artisans while representing elements of Mumbai.
The cape captured the spirit of Mumbai, the city that shaped Malhotra's journey from cinema to couture. It featured iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Gateway of India, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, along with scenes of local trains, taxis, and everyday Mumbai life. Crafted using traditional techniques like dori work, zardozi, chikankari, and kasab embroidery in elegant white and ivory tones, the garment took over 960 hours and the collective effort of more than 50 artisans from Mumbai and Delhi.
Tiny resin figures featured in his look embodied the tribute with a master embroiderer mid-stitch and a tailor at his cutting table.
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