It's all in the details: How Indian stars fused cultural heritage with Met Gala spectacle

Emirates Woman

06-05-2025

At the 2025 Met Gala, Indian stars didn't just arrive dressed—they arrived bearing centuries. In a moment where the theme, 'The Garden of Time: Tailored for You,' invited guests to reflect on personal history through the lens of fashion, Shah Rukh Khan, Kiara Advani, and Diljit Dosanjh offered something rare: a seamless fusion of ancestral tradition and contemporary couture. Their looks weren't just tailored for them—they were tailored from the threads of India's past, reframed for the world's most photographed steps.
Shah Rukh Khan's debut appearance was a masterclass in restraint and refinement. Dressed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, he wore a Mughal-inspired long coat that recalled traditional Indian menswear while integrating Western tailoring structures—a silhouette that drew from the aesthetics of Indian court dress and colonial influence. The open shirt beneath his jacket revealed layers of fine jewellery that evoked portraits of maharajas swathed in gemstones and pearls. Each element of the look held symbolic weight: a custom stack of talismanic necklaces, anchored by a crystal-studded pendant shaped as the letter 'K,' a diamond star brooch pinned to the lapel, and rings adorning his fingers. He carried a Bengal Tiger Head Cane crafted in 18k gold and set with tourmalines, sapphires, old mine-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds—an understated yet powerful nod to Indian regality. His look was absent of overt embellishment, but deeply steeped in storytelling through shape, jewellery, and presence—a deliberate move that made quiet opulence speak volumes.
Kiara Advani made a poignant Met Gala debut while expecting her first child, wearing a custom ensemble by Gaurav Gupta titled Bravehearts—a look that fused maternal symbolism with the sculptural elegance of Indian craftsmanship. At its core was a gilded breastplate sculpted into two crystal-encrusted hearts, linked by a chain-like umbilical cord—an evocative ode to motherhood, legacy, and the sacred role of gold in Indian culture. In Indian tradition, gold is more than ornamental—it carries memory, protection, and spiritual resonance. Ghungroos, the metallic bells woven into the piece, further echoed classical Indian dance and ritual, adding both a rhythmic and ancestral pulse to the look. A sweeping double-paneled white cape with black trim paid tribute to the voluminous silhouettes worn by the late André Leon Talley, introducing a cross-cultural homage to fashion's most revered visionaries.
The jewellery was equally rich in detail and storytelling. Adorned with statement rings, bold earrings, and ear cuffs from Outhouse Jewellery and Wrapgame India, Kiara also wore a 17-carat pear-shaped diamond piece and 5-carat heart-shaped diamond earrings by Kantilal Chhotalal, which echoed the breastplate's golden architecture. Styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania, every element of the look was intentional, exploring dualities—birth and rebirth, softness and strength, ancestral reverence and modern assertion. More than a gown, Bravehearts functioned as a deeply personal declaration: a tribute to identity, transformation, and what it means for an Indian woman to take up space on the world's most scrutinised red carpet with quiet authority and historic grace.
Diljit Dosanjh made his highly anticipated Met Gala debut in a regal custom look by Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung, bringing Sikh heritage and Punjabi royalty to the global fashion stage with unapologetic pride. His ensemble featured an ivory sherwani-inspired suit paired with a sweeping cape embroidered with the golden map of Punjab and the Gurmukhi alphabet—an ode to language, land, and lineage. Topped with a traditional turban or pag, Dosanjh evoked the image of a Sikh maharaja, blending historical silhouettes with contemporary craftsmanship. His jewellery, too, was steeped in meaning: layers of pearl and emerald necklaces draped over his chest, accompanied by embellished rings and heirloom-style brooches that added a glint of aristocratic splendour to the overall look. In his hand, he held a lion-headed, jewel-studded kirpan in place of a walking cane—a symbolic gesture of strength, honour, and spiritual authority.
Perhaps the most powerful detail of his appearance was the reference to the legendary Patiala necklace—originally commissioned in 1928 by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and crafted by Cartier using thousands of diamonds, including the iconic 234-carat De Beers yellow diamond. Though Dosanjh's version was a contemporary tribute, the nod to one of the most opulent and culturally significant pieces of jewellery ever made was unmistakable. His layered diamond set, designed by Golecha's Jewels, echoed the grandeur of the original, grounding his look in both memory and magnificence. Worn alongside Cartier pieces like the Panthère watch and the Faune et Flore de Cartier bracelet in 18k yellow gold with emeralds, yellow, orange, and brown diamonds, every accessory furthered the story of a man carrying his culture to the most watched steps in fashion. This was not just a debut—it was a declaration of identity, told in silk, stone, and sovereign detail.
Met Gala 2025: The best dressed Indian celebrities on the red carpet
What united these three stars wasn't just the craftsmanship or the couture—it was their ability to use fashion as a bridge between India's rich aesthetic history and the Met Gala's global stage. Each ensemble demonstrated how heritage can be fluid, modern, and deeply personal. The clothing didn't just follow a theme—they redefined it. This was a new emblem of fusion: where past met present, and culture met couture.
In an evening defined by spectacle, these Indian stars reminded the world that legacy doesn't need reinvention—it only needs reintroduction. Tailored not just for the individual, but tailored from history itself. – For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram