Isha Ambani made a striking case for championing Indian craftsmanship at the Met Gala 2026, using fashion’s biggest stage to spotlight the country’s rich textile, jewellery and artistic heritage.
For the gala, Ambani wore a custom saree creation by designer Gaurav Gupta, featuring hand-painted Pichwai-inspired motifs and a dramatic sculptural cape — one of the designer’s signature elements.
The saree was woven with threads of pure gold by artisans from Swadesh, Reliance Retail’s artisan-focused platform dedicated to preserving traditional Indian crafts.
Adding to the opulence, her blouse was studded with real diamonds and featured a historic sarpech from the Nizam’s jewellery collection.
“The blouse is full of my mother’s jewellery pieces,” Ambani told Vogue on the red carpet.
Designer Gaurav Gupta later revealed that the garment incorporated more than 1,800 carats of diamonds along with emeralds, polki and kundan, describing it as “a living surface of inheritance and form.”
But Ambani’s look extended beyond couture and heirloom jewels.
She also carried a crochet bag featuring a mango sculpture by celebrated contemporary artist Subodh Gupta — a playful yet meaningful nod to India’s artistic legacy that aligned seamlessly with this year’s “Fashion is Art” theme.
Known internationally for transforming everyday Indian objects into monumental artworks, Subodh Gupta’s inclusion added a distinctly conceptual edge to her ensemble.
Ambani further elevated the India-inspired aesthetic with a sculptural hair accessory inspired by the traditional mogra gajra. Crafted from paper, copper and brass by Brooklyn-based artist Sourabh Gupta, it reimagined a classic adornment through a contemporary artistic lens.
She had set the tone for her India-centric fashion statement even before the gala.
At a pre-Met Gala event in New York on May 1, Ambani wore an intricate bandage dress made using 26 different textile borders, each representing a distinct Indian region and craft tradition.
Her appearance continues a clear fashion narrative.
Over the past three years, Ambani has consistently chosen Indian designers for the Met Gala — wearing Rahul Mishra in 2024 and Anamika Khanna in 2025.
This year’s regal Gaurav Gupta x Swadesh ensemble reinforced that commitment, transforming the Met Gala red carpet into a celebration of Indian design, heritage and artistry.
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