Met Gala 2026 | When India showed up — with steel, saris and mangoes

I read a piece of discourse from the Met Gala, one of many, by Diet Prada, the meme account that inspired its Indian sisters, Diet Sabya and Diet Paratha. The headline read: ‘Was Chanel’s outfit for Bhavitha Mandava, racist?’ My thoughts on the look aside, and we will get into them because what is a Met Gala column without a small best-dressed list attached, this year’s event felt as if someone had turned the volume down.

The first Monday in May in New York City is usually a thrilling evening: the guest list, the co-chairs, the beautiful absurdity of watching famous people attempt to interpret a museum brief in couture. My favourite part has always been the exhibition itself. And of course, watching our ever-growing Indian contingent bring their culture on their sleeves.