From SRK to Diljit: Indian icons and designers shine at the 2025 Met Gala

At the 2025 Met Gala, precision, poise, and personal style took centre stage under the theme “Tailored for You,” a sartorial prompt that celebrated the power of self-expression through exceptional tailoring. While the evening’s dress code encouraged guests to embrace custom suiting and redefined menswear silhouettes, it was inspired by a deeper cultural and historical exploration — “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” — the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition opening May 10.

This powerful exhibition honours the legacy of Black dandyism and how tailoring has been used as a tool of resistance, identity, and artistry across centuries. Against this backdrop, iconic Indian celebrities and designers brought their own interpretations to the red carpet, blending subcontinental textiles, silhouettes, and philosophies of dress with a reverence for the exhibition’s spirit.

1

Shah Rukh Khan in Sabyasachi

Shah Rukh Khan made a regal debut at the Met Gala in an all-black, tailored ensemble by Sabyasachi, channelling the theme “Black Dandy” with his signature charisma. His look featured a sculptural floor-length Tasmanian wool coat with monogrammed Japanese horn buttons, a silk crepe shirt worn open, tailored wool trousers, and a pleated satin kamarbandh — embodying power, elegance, and global stardom.

"My interpretation of the Black Dandy is demonstrating his super stardom on a global stage. Dressed in classic menswear with the maximalist flourish of Sabyasachi, Shah Rukh Khan is a magician, superstar, and icon. Period." - Sabyasachi Mukherjee

2

Diljit Dosanjh in Prabal Gurung

Diljit brought Punjabi royalty to the Met in a custom Prabal Gurung outfit rich in craftsmanship and rooted in Punjabi tradition. His bright look fused traditional silhouettes with modern tailoring, finished with a dramatic cape embroidered with the Mool Mantra in Gurmukhi and a gold map of Punjab — a bold, cultural statement of faith, identity, and pride.

Photo by True Scoop

3

Kiara Advani in Gaurav Gupta

Pregnant and radiant, Kiara wore a black sculptural gown and cape from Gaurav Gupta, designed to celebrate motherhood and dandyism. Featuring a bold metallic heart motif and sleek fabric sculpting her bump, the dress, titled Bravehearts, paid homage to André Leon Talley and the legacy of Black dandies while embracing generational love and style. Gaurav Gupta is renowned for his avant-garde designs, blending sculptural shapes with luxurious fabrics to create bold, contemporary silhouettes.

4

Isha Ambani in Anamika Khanna

Isha exuded modern-day royalty in a white floor-length trench coat embroidered in gold, styled with sharp black trousers — blending Indian opulence with Western tailoring. Wearing Anamika Khanna, Isha Ambani showcased the designer’s signature fusion of traditional Indian craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes — a hallmark of Khanna’s avant-garde yet culturally rooted aesthetic. Completing her look was a historic diamond necklace once owned by the Maharaja of Nawanagar, famously featured in Ocean’s 8, grounding the ensemble in cinematic heritage.

5

Manish Malhotra in Manish Malhotra

Making his Met debut, Manish opted for a striking cape-and-waistcoat combo instead of the typical tux. Embellished with intricate embroidery and Indian motif brooches (like elephants and tigers studded with emeralds), his black-and-white look stood out for its theatrical and regal elegance.

He also dressed Natasha Poonawalla for the evening in a sculptural gown featuring stunning Parsi Gara embroidery in a regal colour palette.

6

Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Olivier Roustein

PCJ turned heads in a sleek polka dot suit dress by Olivier Rousteing, merging crisp tailoring with timeless elegance. Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain, is known for his bold, sculptural tailoring and modern approach to classic silhouettes. The Bulgari ambassador completed the look with exquisite Bulgari jewels, delivering a refined, minimal take on Met Gala glamour.