Met Gala, also called the Costume Institute Benefit, is not merely a fashion event but more of an Olympics of fashion. With the guest list incorporating A-list celebrities, the who’s who of Bollywood, Hollywood, designers, and creative geniuses, this event is a phenomenon in itself. Hosted every year at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the gala is famous for its over-the-top themes, popping outfits, and cultural commentary.
The Met Gala is more than a fashion event — it’s the Olympics of fashion, where the world’s largest stars, designers, and creative geniuses meet to break couture rules. The gala is hosted yearly at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, famous for its over-the-top themes, eye-popping outfits, and cultural commentary that resonates long after the red carpet unrolls.
Representing India at a global level, this year’s Met had the biggest stars from Bollywood. The Badshah of Bollywood, King Khan, aka SRK, broke the internet with his presence at Met 2025, while Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh added a desi twist to global fashion with his signature swag. And another look that stood out for its depth, elegance, and historical resonance was that of Isha Ambani — businesswoman, philanthropist, and a modern-day cultural ambassador for India.
Known for her grace, beauty, and strong cultural roots, Isha Ambani was a standout on the Met Gala 2025 red carpet. While everyone else went for modern maximalism, Isha went for India’s royal heritage. Her look was glamorous, but there was depth in history and workmanship that spoke volumes beyond the visual drama.
For the Met Gala 2025, Isha donned a bespoke Anamika Khanna outfit that blended Indian heritage and high-fashion sensibilities beautifully. The look consisted of a richly embellished ivory corset worn with black tailored pants and a flowing white floor-length cape. A sleek white hat provided an edgy, editorial touch to the otherwise regal figure, making it both traditional and futuristic. But the true showstopper of her ensemble was the stunning diamond necklace draped over her neckline — a piece that was the subject of much conversation.
The necklace was not merely an accessory; it paid homage to Indian history. The style was inspired by the legendary Toussaint necklace, originally designed by Cartier for Maharaja Ranjitsinhji of Nawanagar, one of India’s most fashionable royals. His initial necklace was set with exotic gems: a 135-carat Queen of Holland diamond, a 26-carat blue diamond, and a 12-carat green diamond, which amounted to nearly 500 carats in total. Lost after his death, Cartier recreated the design years later from old photographs in its archives and christened it the “Toussaint Necklace.”
Isha’s necklace is owned by her mother, Nita Ambani, and is part of her personal collection. That same piece was used in the Hollywood movie Ocean’s 8, with Anne Hathaway wearing it. For the Met Gala, it was not only an accessory but also an homage — an ode to India’s rich history, royal fashion, and artistic heritage.
Isha’s appearance took more than 20,000 hours to finish, according to reports, and she completed it with a few layered neckpieces that accentuated the opulence of her outfit. Each aspect — ranging from apparel to accessories — reflected how contemporary India was embracing its royal heritage on an international platform.
Isha Ambani’s red carpet look at the Met Gala wasn’t just about elegance and majesty, but it also reminded the world of rooted Indian luxury, its legacy, heritage, and narrative.
