Could South Asian Designers have a Bigger Role at the Met Gala?

Each year, the Met Gala brings together some of the world’s most celebrated figures in fashion, film, and art under one opulent roof.

As fashion’s most illustrious night, it sets the tone for cultural expression and creative risk-taking.

Amid the glamour and spectacle, South Asian designers have gradually carved out a place on this revered stage, offering both tradition and innovation through their work.

Yet despite the growing presence of South Asian names, questions linger around whether their contributions are truly being recognised to the fullest extent.

While red carpet moments from stars like Alia Bhatt and Mindy Kaling have spotlighted this talent, the event continues to be dominated by Western fashion houses.

The 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” offers a fresh lens through which to consider how diverse cultural expressions, including South Asian design, could further enrich this iconic event.

With its emphasis on identity, craftsmanship, and heritage, the theme feels inherently inclusive.

Still, for South Asian designers to be a permanent fixture at such an event, not just featured occasionally, requires deeper structural change within the fashion world.

DESIblitz explores the current landscape, cultural resonance, industry challenges, and strategic paths toward stronger representation at the Met Gala.

By spotlighting the intersection of tradition, identity, and innovation, it’s possible to reimagine how South Asian designers could rightfully claim a larger share of the spotlight.

The Current Landscape of South Asian Representation

South Asian designers are no longer peripheral to global fashion conversations. They are now shaping them.

Names like Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Prabal Gurung, and Gaurav Gupta have redefined what it means to fuse cultural heritage with international appeal.

These designers are celebrated for their luxurious textiles, elaborate embroidery, and avant-garde silhouettes, which offer something refreshingly distinct on red carpets that often risk visual monotony.

Their work has resonated far beyond South Asia, appealing to celebrities and stylists seeking authenticity and artistry.

The Met Gala’s recent editions have reflected this shift.

At the 2024 event, Alia Bhatt wore a meticulously handcrafted Sabyasachi saree that required over 1,900 hours of artisanal labour.

The sheer scale and dedication behind the piece captured the media’s attention, elevating South Asian craftsmanship to global recognition.

Gaurav Gupta dressed Mindy Kaling in a sculptural pastel gown that fused his signature structural design with soft elegance.

Meanwhile, Prabal Gurung created a glittering lehenga-gown hybrid for British-Indian actress Simone Ashley, showcasing his gift for marrying tradition with modernity.

These appearances signify that South Asian designers are not merely present, they’re excelling. But contributions go beyond clothing.

In 2023, Kerala-based design house Neytt produced the very red carpet that led guests into the Met Gala.

Crafted by Indian weavers from Alleppey using traditional methods, this red carpet symbolised more than just aesthetics. It was a cultural statement.

It placed Indian artisanship literally under the spotlight, underscoring that South Asian excellence can be integrated into every aspect of fashion’s biggest night.

Cultural Significance and Design Heritage

South Asian fashion has always balanced a rich legacy with boundary-pushing creativity, making it a natural fit for the Met Gala’s often abstract themes.

From ornate Mughal-inspired motifs to minimal handloom silks, the region’s fashion language is layered and deeply symbolic.

It is also rooted in sustainability and community-based craftsmanship, elements that are increasingly relevant to contemporary fashion dialogues.

When themes like “Heavenly Bodies” or “The Garden of Time” are explored, South Asian design provides a nuanced, deeply textured response that’s both relevant and resonant.

The 2024 theme, for instance, encouraged attendees to reflect on temporality, decay, and renewal.

In Indian fashion, this concept is mirrored in age-old embroidery techniques like zardozi, which weave narratives of nature and mythology using precious materials.

These styles are not merely decorative. They’re stories, legacies, and art forms.

South Asian designers’ ability to interpret such concepts through clothing speaks volumes about the region’s fashion intelligence and cultural depth.

Celebrities who champion this heritage are vital in shifting perceptions.

When Priyanka Chopra Jonas first attended the Met Gala in Ralph Lauren, she made headlines.

But it was her subsequent appearances in ensembles by Indian designers that marked a turning point in global recognition.

As she once said in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, representation goes beyond showing up. It’s about owning your space.

That ethos resonates with South Asian designers whose work not only adorns but also affirms cultural pride.

Their growing visibility challenges the Eurocentric fashion hierarchy and redefines what constitutes couture on the global stage.

Barriers and Opportunities for Expanded Representation

Despite these gains, significant obstacles remain.

The fashion industry’s power centres, namely Paris, Milan, London, and New York, have historically dictated taste and access.

South Asian designers often operate outside of these hubs, making it harder to secure the relationships and visibility that lead to Met Gala invitations.

Many are self-funded or operate through small ateliers that prioritise artistry over scale.

This dynamic can limit their ability to meet the logistical demands of high-profile events like the Met Gala.

Another challenge is perception. Western audiences and decision-makers may lack familiarity with the diversity and sophistication of South Asian design traditions.

Without robust institutional support or education, these designers risk being typecast into producing only “ethnic” or bridal-inspired looks, despite offering much more in terms of structure, innovation, and concept.

As a result, their pieces may be overlooked in favour of more familiar Western labels, even when South Asian fashion aligns more powerfully with the event’s themes.

However, there are glimmers of change.

Global stars like Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Riz Ahmed are increasingly using their platforms to spotlight South Asian talent.

Their influence carries weight not just in terms of visibility but also in setting new red carpet norms.

Choosing to wear a lehenga at a Western event no longer reads as tokenism. It reads as fashion-forward.

This evolution opens doors for more designers to be considered by stylists and celebrities for future galas.

Sustainability also offers a critical pathway.

South Asian designers frequently incorporate slow fashion practices, using natural dyes, handloom fabrics, and ethical production methods.

These align with the Met Gala’s growing embrace of conscious fashion.

Neytt’s red carpet success exemplifies how these values can position South Asian design at the forefront of fashion innovation, not just tradition.

Pathways to Increased Representation

To build on recent momentum, visibility must translate into consistent opportunity.

Designers like Sabyasachi have already laid the groundwork by creating pieces that dominate red carpet discourse.

What’s needed now is structural support. Platforms that amplify emerging South Asian designers and connect them with stylists, celebrities, and fashion institutions.

Media coverage also plays a role in shaping public perception and influencing industry trends.

Outlets like Vogue, Business of Fashion, and Elle, highlighting South Asian collections, contribute to normalising their presence on the world stage.

Collaboration remains a key strategy. Though based in the United States, Prabal Gurung consistently honours his South Asian heritage while working within the Western fashion system.

His model demonstrates how blending cultural perspectives can lead to international success without compromising identity.

Collaborations between South Asian designers and luxury fashion houses, stylists, or influencers could create new avenues for innovation and exposure.

Institutions like The Met and the Costume Institute could also take more intentional steps.

Hosting panels, exhibitions, or digital archives focused on South Asian fashion could foster greater appreciation and understanding.

Integrating South Asian themes or designers more prominently in upcoming galas would demonstrate a genuine commitment to global inclusion.

Additionally, fashion schools and media platforms can offer educational content that explores South Asia’s rich sartorial history, expanding the industry’s understanding of the region’s contributions.

With the 2025 Met Gala focusing on identity and tailored aesthetics, it provides a timely opportunity to feature designers from regions where tailoring is not only craft but culture.

South Asian designers have already made their mark at the Met Gala, delivering unforgettable fashion moments that blend cultural richness with cutting-edge style.

From Alia Bhatt’s hand-embroidered saree to Neytt’s handwoven red carpet, their impact is undeniable.

But for this presence to evolve into prominence, more structural support and institutional recognition are necessary.

The world of high fashion must actively widen its lens, embracing designers from diverse backgrounds not just for a season, but as staples.

The Met Gala is often described as the Oscars of fashion, but it’s also a mirror of who the industry deems worthy of celebration.

By integrating more South Asian designers into its narrative, it can more accurately reflect the global nature of fashion and the diverse voices shaping its future.

From heritage techniques to forward-thinking sustainability, South Asian designers offer much more than ornate beauty. They bring purpose, history, and vision.

As conversations around representation continue to grow louder, the time is ripe for the Met Gala to become a space where cultural diversity isn’t just featured, it’s foundational.

South Asian designers are not waiting in the wings. They are ready for the spotlight.