Every year, the steps of the Met transform into fashion’s most extravagant red carpet where gowns defy gravity, tuxedos get a high-fashion twist, and themes are interpreted with couture-level creativity. But amidst the global glitterati, a few Indian stars have truly understood the assignment. From regal saris reimagined for the Costume Institute to sherwanis shimmering with drama, these desi fashion trailblazers didn’t just walk the Met Gala—they owned it. As we eagerly wait for the Met looks of 2025, here’s a look back at the best dressed Indians who made us cheer “sartorial slay!” from thousands of miles away.
Alia Bhatt in Sabyasachi
Last year, Alia Bhatt set social media ablaze as she wore a custom mint-green sari by Sabyasachi for her second time at the Met, complete with a dramatic 23-foot train. The intricate drape was adorned with hand-embroidered florals crafted from silk floss, shimmering glass beads, and semi-precious stones. Her softly styled hair was gathered with strands of gemstones, echoing the sari’s ornate detailing.
Isha Ambani in Rahul Mishra
Isha Ambani has consistently turned heads at the Met Gala, but last year was special as she stunned in a bespoke couture sari gown by Rahul Mishra—an intricate masterpiece brought to life with delicate embroidery. The ensemble bloomed with handcrafted florals, butterflies, and dragonflies, meticulously created using traditional techniques like Zardozi, Nakshi, and Dabka. Her accessories were just as refined: a statement choker and earrings by Viren Bhagat, paired with an elegant handbag designed in collaboration between Swadesh and Jade by Monica and Karishma.
Natasha Poonawala in Schiaparelli
Natasha Poonawalla stole the spotlight at the 2022 Met Gala in a show-stopping fusion look and gave the night’s “Gilded Glamour” theme a dazzling Indian spin by pairing a hand-embroidered Sabyasachi sari with a sculptural gold Schiaparelli corset, adorned with celestial-inspired details. Elevating the drama, she accessorised with a bold stack of bejewelled bangles and statement earrings studded with oversized uncut gems, bringing together heritage craftsmanship and haute couture in spectacular fashion.
Deepika Padukone in Zac Posen
Deepika Padukone channeled her inner doll at the 2019 Met Gala, way before ‘Barbiecore’ was cool. Dressed for the theme Camp: Notes on Fashion, she turned heads in a custom Zac Posen gown in a striking metallic pink. The strapless creation, crafted from lurex jacquard, dazzled with 400 hand-embroidered 3D embellishments. Deepika amped up the drama with a voluminous high ponytail and rich marsala lips, serving a look that was both playful and powerful.
Aishwarya Rai in Michael Cinco
In 2018, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the undeniable queen of the Met and Cannes red carpets made a show-stopping return to the French Riviera, proving once again that fashion is her forever kingdom. She wowed in a custom couture creation by Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco. The gown was nothing short of a masterpiece: drenched in Swarovski crystals and French sequins, adorned with rich hues of ultraviolet, midnight blue, and crimson red, and finished with an epic 20-foot train designed to resemble a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. The pièce de résistance? It took a staggering 3,000 hours to bring this fairytale to life.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Valentino
At the 2023 Met Gala, themed ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’, Priyanka Chopra Jonas turned heads in an elegant Valentino couture ensemble. She wore a striking black strapless gown with a thigh-high slit and an oversized bow detail, embodying Lagerfeld’s signature sophistication. Elevating the drama, she layered it with a voluminous cape edged in ruffles and paired the look with white leather opera gloves and a structured black faille cape featuring delicate white bows at the sleeves. The statement-making Bulgari jewels that added just the right sparkle to her monochrome moment.
