At the Vogue Met Gala pre-party held in New York City, Isha Ambani and Manish Malhotra served a masterclass in how to take Indian craftsmanship global.
No theatrics, no over-the-top gimmicks, just two desi fashionistas showing exactly how it’s done.
Photograph: Kind courtesy Manish Malhotra/Instagram
Manish kept it sharp and unfussy in an all-black look, building a clean base with a classic turtleneck and relaxed trousers. The real moment? A dramatic tulle shawl that brought in texture and that signature couture flair.
Photograph: Kind courtesy Manish Malhotra/Instagram
He finished it off with a delicate, pastel floral brooch. It was a subtle addition but impossible to miss.
All photographs: Kind courtesy Anaita Shroff Adjania/Instagram
Isha, on the other hand, went into full storytelling mode in a custom Manish Malhotra x Swadesh creation.
She wore a reimagined bandage dress crafted using 26 distinct borders, each representing a different region of India. With over 450 hours of work behind it, the look was a tribute to Indian artisanship.
Her styling by Anaita Shroff Adjania was crisp yet striking and included statement diamond jewellery, including floral earrings and a bold ring.
Her braid, adorned with a Jadai Billai inspired by traditional temple jewellery, kept the look rooted even as it felt completely global.