06052026-LSTC-01.qxd 5/6/2026 12:40 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE India connect Life Sculptural piece Natasha Poonawalla returned to the Met Gala in an all-white look, wearing the Orchid Pectoral, a bespoke sculptural piece inspired by British artist Marc Quinn as a blouse; along with a flowing Dolce & Gabbana gown. The sculptural resin piece, worn like armour, transformed art into fashion. American actress Camila Mendes was spotted in an outfit designed by Manish Malhotra. Mendes' look was inspired by the paintings of the iconic artist Amrita Sher-Gil. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 6 MAY 2026 Whenfashion MET art Mona From the timeless works of Raja Ravi Varma to the contemporary provocations of Subodh Gupta, Indian art found powerful new expression at Met Gala 2026 A s fashion’s biggest night unfolded in New York, the Met Gala 2026 played out like a living museum, where Nefertiti to The Princess of Genovia registered their unmistakable presence echoing the theme — Fashion as Art. Amidst this global spectacle, India’s growing might on red carpet registered a significant moment, not just in glamour, but in the depth of its artistic legacy. From the timeless works of Raja Ravi Varma to the contemporary provocations of Subodh Gupta, and the ancient storytelling of the Ajanta frescoes, Indian art found powerful new expression in couture. AR ARAN JOH K MAKES ABUT E Subhash K Jha TUNNING D S Indian fashion took a turn for the ‘verse’ at Met Gala in New York on Monday night as Karan Johar’s poetic costume designed by Manish Malhotra wowed the audience. “I am still reeling,” Karam said minutes after his ramp walk created a defining moment as the first Indian director to represent India at the event. The ensemble draws its visual language directly from the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, interpreting the master’s iconic command of drape, light, and ornament through contemporary couture. The silhouette is rooted in classical Indian drapery, restructured with a precision that allows fabric to move with the body without losing its sculptural authority. The garment draws from some of Varma’s most iconic works, among them — Hamsa Damayanti, Kadambari, Arjuna, Subhadraand There Comes Papa. Each painting selected not for spectacle, but for the quiet emotional truth it carries. PHOTOS: REUTERS & PTI Pendant to kill for! Hyderabad-based entrepreneur Sudha Reddy made a commanding appearance in a custom creation by Manish Malhotra. She complemented the look with a historic diamond necklace and a remarkable tanzanite pendant worth Rs142 crore! Gold saree, diamond blouse & a mango purse Isha Ambani’s appearance placed art at the centre as much as couture. Created in collaboration with Gaurav Gupta and Swadesh artisans, the ensemble drew inspiration from Ajanta frescoes and pichwai painting. Adding a contemporary artistic layer, works by Brooklyn-based artist Sourabh Gupta — a mango motif bag and reinterpretations of the traditional mogra gajra — turned the ensemble into a dialogue between heritage and modern art. Rihanna’s liquid metal dress turns heads Rihanna once again made a dramatic statement at Met Gala. The outfit featured an intricate bodice that created a striking dresswithin-a-dress illusion. Crafted largely from a high-shine fabric resembling liquid metal, the look was accentuated by a centrepiece that appeared to drip with jewels. HOMAGE TO MUMBAI Manish Malhotra stepped out in a classic bandhgala with a sculptural cape. A homage to his Mumbai roots, the 3D sculptures of its landmarks — Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus made it to the attire along with the signatures of the artists on the cape who created this black and white dress art. She ‘steels’ the show Ananya Birla made a bold Met Gala debut in artist Subodh Gupta’s sculptural vision. Known for transforming everyday materials into striking art, Gupta created a stainless-steel face mask that fully concealed Birla’s identity, turning her into a living installation. What a look ! THE MASKED WOMAN Beyonce is back! Beyonce made a stunning return to the Met Gala red carpet to mark her first appearance at the iconic event in nearly a decade. The singer wore an eye-catching outfit designed by Olivier Rousteing. She chose a crystal-covered “naked” gown featuring a skeleton-inspired design, with detailed work even on the hands. The look was paired with a dramatic blue and white feathered cape, a sparkling headpiece, and heavy diamond jewellery by Chopard. TRIBUTE TO MJ Katy Perry’s appearance at Met Gala left everyone surprised as the singer arrived in a completely masked look, hiding her identity on the red carpet. She covered her face with a metal and mesh mask that revealed nothing except her long, sleek black hair. HAILEY THE GREEK GODDESS Jaafar Jackson made a striking debut, as he turned heads with a look that paid tribute to his uncle, Michael Jackson. For the evening, Jaafar wore a black velvet suit by Ralph Lauren with gold detailing, paired with a black bowtie, red socks, and black balletstyle shoes. Hailey Bieber wore a Saint Laurent outfit that featured a bold strapless gold, armour-like bodice paired with a fitted cobalt blue skirt. She completed her look with a sheer dupattastyle drape. Kim the warrior Live statue Heidi Klum was dressed as a marble statue, completed with draped robes that hugged her figure and facial prosthetics that mimicked a veil rendered in stone. She wore a floral wreath and flat sandals, showing off head-to-toe chalky grey body paint. c m y b Kim Kardashian turned heads with a bold and unusual look. Kim arrived in a sculpted bronze cone corset paired with matching orange hair. The look, reportedly, is inspired by Allen Jones’ 1975 poster for the film Maitresse, an explicit drama centered on a dominatrix that sparked controversy at the time of its release. Robbie shines in Chanel gown After a three-year hiatus, Margot Robbie made a striking return to the Met Gala 2026, turning heads in a custom gold gown that embodied this year’s theme, Fashion Is Art. Designed by Chanel’s new creative director, Matthieu Blazy, the gown showcased a draped bodice and flowing skirt, finished with a delicate train adorned with flower petal appliques in matching gold tones. The couture piece included nearly 1,100 pieces of embroidery and required 761 hours of craftsmanship.