Camila Mendes to Dwayne Johnson, celebs in Manish Malhotra designs at the Met

Not just his elaborate Met Gala look, Manish Malhotra also glammed up several celebrities for fashion's biggest night.

In Short

• Manish Malhotra's bandhgala and cape paid tribute to Mumbai and artisans
• Karan Johar wore a six-foot ensemble inspired by Raja Ravi Varma
• Camila Mendes's mahogany gown drew from Amrita Sher-Gil's painted female figures

We expected drama at the Met Gala this year, and it delivered. We expected celebrities to interpret "Fashion Is Art" in ways that would leave us jaw-dropped, and they did. We expected Indian craftsmanship to take centre stage, and it absolutely did. And one name that deserves credit for championing the latter is Manish Malhotra.

While his own look was a heartfelt tribute to his artisans, his creations for other celebrities became a showcase of the finesse and intricacy that define Indian craftsmanship. The ace designer's creations were worn by a striking line-up of attendees, including Karan Johar, Sudha Reddy, Camila Mendes, and Dwayne Johnson.

Let's begin with Malhotra's own look. The designer chose to make it deeply personal, a reflection of Mumbai, the city that has shaped his journey, his cinematic lens, and his design sensibility. It was also an ode to his atelier, the work family that brings his vision to life every day.

He wore a classic Indian bandhgala, elevated with an architectural cape. Dori, zardozi, chikankari, and kasab embroidery came together not just as embellishments, but as storytelling.

Now, let's get to filmmaker Karan Johar's dramatic look. The filmmaker brought "Fashion Is Art" to life with a couture piece that turned him into a walking canvas. Inspired by the legacy of Raja Ravi Varma, the look began as a hand-painted artwork, created over 5,600 hours, before being transformed into a striking six-foot ensemble.

A structured, power-shouldered jacket formed the base, detailed with dori embroidery and layered with oil and acrylic finishes to mimic the depth of a painting. Crafted by over 50 artisans, this MM look blurred the lines between fashion and art.

Meanwhile, for American actress Camila Mendes's Met outing, Malhotra designed a rich mahogany couture gown inspired by the women in Amrita Sher-Gil's paintings.

The gown featured a corseted base with hand-ruched French chiffon, gathered at the hip into a sculptural knot and flowing into a soft trail. Its texture echoed dry brushstrokes, with deep mahogany tones drawn from Sher-Gil's palette of reds, browns, and ochres, giving the look both depth and movement.

Mendes even wore statement high jewellery in tourmalines, uncut diamonds, and 18k gold from the designer's brand.

Now, while much of the buzz around Hyderabad billionaire Sudha Reddy centred on her striking tanzanite necklace, her regal look by Manish Malhotra told a deeper story inspired by the "tree of life."

Created with fashion stylist and designer Mariel Haenn, the ensemble drew from Kalamkari traditions, reimagined through sculpted velvet, antique gold zari, and intricate zardozi. Motifs like the Kalpavriksha, Surya, and Chandra added layers of meaning, turning the look into a reflection of heritage and identity.

Lastly, American actor Dwayne Johnson was seen sporting Malhotra's signature brooch at the Met Gala, accented with emeralds and diamonds.

Apart from these standout looks by Malhotra, other Indian designers also had their moment at the gala. Isha Ambani wore a custom saree by Gaurav Gupta, featuring hand-painted Pichwai-inspired motifs paired with a sculptural cape. Diya Mehta Jatia, on the other hand, chose a custom ensemble by Mayyur Girotra that spotlighted West Bengal's traditional Shola craft.

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