Manish Malhotra's majestic Met Gala debut with elephants, emeralds, and more
Fashion’s biggest night is here, Met Gala 2025 has officially arrived, bringing with it bold statements, powerful silhouettes, and a celebration of Black Dandyism. With Bollywood royalty Shah Rukh Khan making his long-awaited debut and mom-to-be Kiara Advani joining the glittering guest list, this year’s carpet is a global spectacle.
Among the sea of stars, one man turned the iconic steps into his personal runway and no, it wasn’t a Hollywood regular. It was India’s very own bling king, Manish Malhotra, making a smashing Met Gala debut. And trust us, he did not come to play.
Leaving the predictable tux behind, Manish leaned fully into the theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style and delivered a masterclass in maximalist couture. His look? Nothing short of a regal rebellion.
The ace designer wore a sharply tailored white shirt with dramatic cuffs, paired with impeccably cut black trousers. But the real magic happened in the layers. Over the shirt came a structured waistcoat, and over that, a sweeping cape adorned with intricate golden embroidery - a true homage to opulence. The embroidery, rich with Indian craftsmanship, flowed into heavy embellishments that played beautifully under the Met lights.
But the show-stopping details? Silver brooches in the shapes of a mighty tiger and an elephant, symbols of strength and legacy, punctuated the outfit with symbolic flair. And then came the emeralds. Studded and gleaming, they caught every flashbulb, glinting with quiet power and timeless elegance.
With a sharp spike hairdo and an air of poise-meets-power, Manish didn’t just attend the Met Gala, he owned it. Every inch of his ensemble was thought through, from the silhouette to the storytelling. He wasn't just dressing to impress; he was dressing with purpose.
While many chose to interpret the theme with classic tailoring, Manish added a uniquely Indian voice to the global conversation. His debut was not just a red carpet moment - it was a cultural crossover that reminded the world of Indian fashion’s ability to go big, bold, and completely unforgettable.
The 2025 Met Gala theme, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s seminal book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, is an homage to centuries of style, resistance, and reinvention. And in that context, Manish Malhotra’s look felt like both tribute and triumph, couture as storytelling, elegance as expression.
Among the sea of stars, one man turned the iconic steps into his personal runway and no, it wasn’t a Hollywood regular. It was India’s very own bling king, Manish Malhotra, making a smashing Met Gala debut. And trust us, he did not come to play.
Leaving the predictable tux behind, Manish leaned fully into the theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style and delivered a masterclass in maximalist couture. His look? Nothing short of a regal rebellion.
But the show-stopping details? Silver brooches in the shapes of a mighty tiger and an elephant, symbols of strength and legacy, punctuated the outfit with symbolic flair. And then came the emeralds. Studded and gleaming, they caught every flashbulb, glinting with quiet power and timeless elegance.
With a sharp spike hairdo and an air of poise-meets-power, Manish didn’t just attend the Met Gala, he owned it. Every inch of his ensemble was thought through, from the silhouette to the storytelling. He wasn't just dressing to impress; he was dressing with purpose.
While many chose to interpret the theme with classic tailoring, Manish added a uniquely Indian voice to the global conversation. His debut was not just a red carpet moment - it was a cultural crossover that reminded the world of Indian fashion’s ability to go big, bold, and completely unforgettable.
The 2025 Met Gala theme, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s seminal book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, is an homage to centuries of style, resistance, and reinvention. And in that context, Manish Malhotra’s look felt like both tribute and triumph, couture as storytelling, elegance as expression.
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