If being extra is all about this, then bring it on, we say! At the 2025 Met Gala, Natasha Poonawalla enthralled attendees with a custom ensemble by Manish Malhotra that seamlessly blended her ancestral roots with avant-garde fashion. Her outfit prominently featured Parsi Gara embroidery, a craft very close to her roots.
Natasha Poonawalla’s Met outfit
The centrepiece of her outfit was a sculpted fishtail skirt, which was meticulously crafted from two vintage Gara saris – one that Manish Malhotra sourced from the archives and the other over a century old. This skirt showcased intricate hand-embroidered motifs, and complementing it was a corset-cummerbund paired with a vintage French lace bralette, edged in scalloped pearls, embodying the essence of dandyism.
Draped over the ensemble was a sharply tailored black Gara jacket with bold shoulders, lined in imperial purple, a colour that is historically associated with power and nobility. The jacket featured embroidery in the sacred ektaar technique, where a single continuous thread narrates an unbroken story. Adding a touch of theatricality, a sculptural lace cravat by Atelier Biser adorned the collar.
About Parsi gara embroidery
The Parsi Gara embroidery originated in the 19th century and is a fusion of Persian, Chinese, Indian, and European influences. The embroidery form was introduced to India by the Parsi traders who were returning from China. Eventually, became a symbol of status within the Parsi community and became integral to bridal wear. The embroidery is characterised by motifs of flora, fauna, and mythical creatures. Gara embroidery is traditionally executed on silk fabrics, requiring immense skill and patience.
About Met Gala 2025
The Met Gala’s theme this year was “Tailored for You,” celebrating Black fashion and menswear with a focus on dandyism.
This time, the exhibition delves into how dandyism in Black culture goes beyond fashion; it becomes a powerful assertion of autonomy, beauty, and resistance in a world that still seeks to limit Black self-expression.
Not to mention the host of Indian celebrities making an appearance on the Met’s blue carpet. From Shah Rukh Khan’s suave black suit to Diljit Dosanjh’s Maharaja Bhupinder Singh-inspired look to Kiara Advani’s first appearance at the Met Gala flaunting her baby bump, it is safe to say the celebs did homies proud!