It's that time of the year again when the world's most elite gather to celebrate fashion's most prestigious event - the Met Gala. Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, this annual event, famously dubbed "fashion's biggest night," showcased a spectrum of celebrity attire, ranging from stunning to eccentric, inspired to perplexing.
The Met Gala remains an exclusive affair, strictly invitation-only, with a curated roster of celebrities spanning various domains gaining entry each year. Embracing the designated theme, which coincides with the year's Costume Institute exhibition, guests are encouraged to dress accordingly. In the previous year, approximately 400 individuals received coveted invitations, as confirmed by a spokeswoman for the Costume Institute.
The theme for this year's Met Gala is 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.' Contrary to fairy tales or Disney motifs, the theme draws inspiration from the museum's fashion collection, particularly focusing on ancient and delicate treasures that are too fragile for traditional mannequin display, as reported by the media.
Each year, the Met Gala designates official hosts, and this year's lineup featured Anna Wintour alongside Latino music sensations Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez, as well as American actress Zendaya and Australian actor Chris Hemsworth.
Meanwhile, Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, who notably opted out of attending the 2024 Met Gala, found themselves transformed into subjects of AI-generated deep fakes from this year's 'fashion's biggest night.' Their absence sparked a digital storm, with the three singers at the epicentre of viral online discussions.
South Asians who shine on the red carpet of Met Gala 2024
Numerous celebrities graced the red carpet of the 2024 Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Among them, several notable Indians made their presence felt at this esteemed fashion event and fundraiser.
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, returning for her second Met Gala appearance, captivated in a mesmerising mint-green Sabyasachi saree adorned with a remarkable 23-foot-long train, perfectly aligning with the gala's "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" theme. This event follows her unforgettable Met Gala debut last year, where she dazzled in a striking ensemble crafted by Prabal Gurung.
Isha Ambani, daughter of business magnates Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, graced the event in a bespoke saree-gown meticulously crafted by designer Rahul Mishra. The attire boasted an exquisite long floral train and intricate hand embroidery, requiring over 10,000 hours to meticulously bring to life.
Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mona Patel, turned heads with her striking ensemble—a mechanical dress inspired by butterflies, elegantly styled by Law Roach. As Mona gracefully walked, her dress fluttered from side to side, creating a captivating display that perfectly embodied the theme of 'Time and Nature.' Hailing from Vadodara originally, Patel ventured to the US at a young age to pursue her entrepreneurial aspirations.
Socialite Natasha Poonawalla, a Met Gala regular, commanded attention in a bespoke ensemble from Maison Margiela's Artisanal Collection, curated by the iconic designer John Galliano.
Hyderabad-based billionaire, Sudha Reddy, made a stunning appearance at the Met Gala 2024.She dazzled in an ivory silk gown designed by Tarun Tahiliani, complemented by a stunning 180-carat diamond necklace.
Indian-American comedian and actor Mindy Kaling made a memorable impression at the Met Gala. Adorned in a striking sculptural gown crafted by designer Gaurav Gupta, Kaling captivated onlookers. Her dress, symbolising both a bud and a withering flower, was aptly titled 'The Melting Flower of Time'.
Ambika Mod, the British star of the Netflix series "One Day," exuded elegance in a custom black-and-white ensemble by Loewe, the renowned Spanish luxury fashion house. Born to Indian immigrant parents in Hertfordshire, England, Mod showcased her sophisticated style on the Met Gala red carpet.
Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley arrived on the Met Gala red carpet in a cutout navy blue dress designed by Prabal Gurung.
Indian couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee made history as the first Indian designer to grace the Met Gala red carpet. He donned an embroidered cotton duster coat from his own Sabyasachi Resort 2024 collection, accentuated with selections from the Sabyasachi High Jewellery line.
