Mumbai: The world was taken by storm as yesterday marked arguably the theatrical night of the year for fashion. The annual charitable fashion show, Met Gala 2025, will take place at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York. The theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ aims to bring back attention to black dandyism and deliver what it has always stood for: power, prestige, and rebellion.
Indian celebrities undeniably stole the show when their interpretation of the theme transcended beyond black fashion and truly defined the dress code ‘tailored for you’ as they effortlessly brought South Asian perspectives to their delicately combined outfits. Their interpretations of the theme call for great appreciation and force us to take a deeper look at the ensembles as well as the thought processes that went behind it.
The sworn-in desi fashion icon Diljit Dosanjh reclaimed his throne as he served royalty at the red carpet in custom Prabal Gurung, styled by Abhilasha Devnani, putting forward his sikh tradition and legacy for display to the global fashion world.
His feathered and diamond-studded turban and a layered diamond set by Golecha’s Jewels upheld the spirit of the late Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. He adorned a sherwani coloured gold and ivory along with traditional draped bottoms.
He takes it a step further when he gives a desi twist to the Dandy walking stick by replacing it with a traditional kirpan with a lion head that he holds with pure elegance and pride. The wide cape displayed the map of Punjab stitched on it with Punjabi lettering.
The precise tailoring, the sophisticated palette, and the historical component to this regal look took the theme quite literally, with everything being in place, including his reputation as India’s most fashionable male.
The most awaited debut from the Indian subcontinent was of the king of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, who dazzled the red carpet in a signature custom-made Sabyasachi Mukherjee ensemble and jewels. Khan, the global superstar, channeled this same energy into the clean aesthetics he pulled by carefully combining the two diverse but connected dandysims of Indian and black pasts.
Taking the theme to new lengths, King Khan was seen dressed in a coat made of Tasmanian fine wool, which is floor-length, finished with monogrammed Japanese horn buttons paired with trousers made of the same material. The oat provides a sculptural outline to him and is handcrafted precisely. The get-up is enhanced by a kamarbandh on his waist and a black silk shirt opened at the chest, which ties the look together.
The hitmaker was clad in custom jewellery by Sabysachi himself, involving a diamond-studded pendant with the letter K and a diamond star brooch. A bunch of gold chains are layered carefully, which displays personal symbols and heirlooms that represent personal storytelling, which elevates the look immensely.
What stole the show could be the cane he carried with the head of the Bengal tiger, fixed with sapphires, brilliant-cut diamonds, and tourmalines made with 18k gold and screamed power. This ensemble seems to draw inspiration from the portrayals of ancient maharajas and Mughal traditions, whose clothing choice often intersected between colonial style detailing with traditional craft.
The look gives off power and status, which Khan has already made for himself in the movie industry through glamour, and he does the same as he puts his best foot forward in the global fashion game with his subtle yet dynamic appearance at his first-ever Met Gala.
(Article by Aradhya Paul)
