Indian fashion made a strong presence at the Met Gala 2026, with top designers dressing celebrities, artisan crafts taking center stage and even the event’s famous red carpet carrying an Indian connection.
Indian brands take center stage at Met Gala 2026
This year’s edition of fashion’s biggest night at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art saw Indian brands garner attention through bold fashion statements worn by celebrities and global figures. But India’s footprint went beyond just the clothes on display. The rug was made by Neytt by Extraweave, an Indian design house located in Cherthala, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. Founded by Sivan Santhosh and Nimisha Srinivas, the company has become a permanent partner of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with 2026 marking their fourth year anchoring the event.
The brand is deeply rooted in South Indian weaving traditions and draws on a family heritage of craftsmanship that dates back over a century to the Travancore Mats and Matting Company.
Manufacturing in Kerala was a massive industrial and craft enterprise. For the 2026 theme of ‘Costume Art’, around 500 local artisans spent 90 days weaving 57 massive rolls of sisal fiber by hand. The team used a specific bouclé technique to ensure the surface was tight enough to prevent stiletto heels from snagging, while maintaining a refined, off-white finish. By the time the project was completed, artisans had produced over 6,800 square meters of material, which was then shipped from the backwaters of Alleppey to the steps of the Met in New York.
On the fashion front, designer Manish Malhotra was among India’s biggest names at the gala. For his Met Gala debut, he dressed filmmaker Karan Johar in an elaborate custom ensemble inspired by Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. The clothes featured hand-painted details, intricate zardozi embroidery and sculptural craftsmanship that attracted widespread attention.
Malhotra has also designed looks for international celebrities, further expanding his label’s reach on one of fashion’s most watched scenes. Reports said that one of his creations required nearly 960 hours of work by dozens of artisans, highlighting the scale of Indian handicraft.
Designer Gaurav Gupta also delivered one of the standout looks of the night. Businesswoman Isha Ambani appeared in a custom sari-inspired gown woven with gold threads and detailed with hand-painted Indian motifs. The ensemble was widely praised for combining traditional Indian art with contemporary couture design.
Indian representation was also seen through designer Prabal Gurung, who dressed members of Jaipur’s royal family for the event, while several models and creatives of Indian origin contributed to a wider South Asian presence on the red carpet.
The visibility of Indian brands at the Met Gala reflects a broader shift in international luxury fashion, where Indian designers are increasingly moving from niche representation to central global recognition.
This year’s event stood out because India was represented not only by what the celebrities wore, but also by the very surface they walked on. From handmade fashion to the iconic carpet under the camera flashes, Indian brands have left a visible imprint in almost every part of the Met Gala experience.
