Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 6 CITY VIEWS May 8, 2026 Indian Celebrities, Billionaires, Fashionistas Cut Dramatic Profiles @TheMet 2026 T he Met Gala returned in full style this year, as celebrities from around the globe arrived at the red carpet in NewYork for fashion’s biggest night that took place on Monday, May 4, 2026. Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the event once again turned into a grand showcase of cre- ativity and bold fashion. NATASHA POONAWALLA EMBRACES ART-INSPIRED FASHION IN STRIKING FLORAL LOOK. Among the notable Indian appearances was Natasha Poonawalla, who made a striking entrance in a look that immediately drew attention. This year, she wore a sculptural creation by Marc Quinn, paired with a cus- tom couture ensemble by Dolce & Gabbana. The outfit was built around a bold floral-inspired concept. SUDHA REDDY SHOWCASES SOUTH INDIAN CRAFT IN CUSTOM MANISH MALHOTRA LOOK Billionaire philanthropist Sudha Reddy walked the 2026 Met Gala carpet, turning attention towards Indian textile traditions, as she walked the red carpet in a custom outfit designed by Manish Malhotra. Held in NewYork on May 5, the event saw Reddy wear an ensemble titled ‘The Tree of Life’, which drew from the traditional Kalamkari art form from South India. The outfit was created over 3,459 hours by more than 90 artisans and brought together several hand- work techniques. The design was inspired by the Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari, known for its handpainted details and use of natural dyes. The ‘Tree of Life’ motif formed the core of the outfit, symbolising growth and connection. The look also included elements linked to Telangana, such as the Palapitta bird, Jammi Chettu tree and Tangedu flower, along with symbols like the Sun and Moon. The outfit featured a structured silhouette in deep blue tones, detailed with gold embroidery across fabrics like velvet, silk and tulle. A long trail and a sheer cape added to the look, while a hand-crafted metal installa- tion at the back completed the design. Reddy paired the outfit with jewellery from her personal collection, including a necklace with a large tanzanite stone, along with diamond rings. The look was styled by Mariel Haenn, with minimal makeup and a simple hairstyle. Sharing the thought behind her look, Sudha Reddy spoke about representing her roots on a global platform. As per a release shared by the team, Suddha said, “Hyderabad is my foundation and this ensemble is a translation of that cultural identity into a language that is both global and deeply personal. Indian crafts- manship isn’t a legacy confined to history but a living, breathing art form. It was vital to demonstrate that these ancient techniques possess the structural integrity and aesthetic power to lead the global fashion dialogue. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana recently emphasized that South Indian crafts and textiles deserve sustained global visibility, even envisioning their presence at platforms like Lon- don and Paris FashionWeek. That became my singular brief to the team, to take the richness of South Indian textile heritage to an international stage. NewYork was our starting point”. Designer Manish Malhotra also shared what the out- fit meant for him. He said, “Fashion, for me, has always been about the emotion behind the image. With ‘The Tree of Life,’ we wanted to create something that car- ries memory and the soul of the craft. It is not merely worn, it is experienced.” Celebrity stylist Mariel Haenn spoke about the idea behind the styling and how the look came together as a complete visual story. She said, “Working with Sudha Reddy and Manish Malhotra on ‘The Tree of Life’ was an exercise in pushing the boundaries of what red-carpet fashion can be. Our goal was to treat this ensemble as a piece of high-concept art by projecting the grandeur of Indian heritage through a cinematic contemporary lens. My approach to styling has always been about finding the narrative thread that connects a person to their clothes. With Sudha Reddy, that thread is her incredible commitment to her hometown and the storytelling of her culture.” Sudha Reddy has been a regular at the Met Gala in recent years and is known for showcasing Indian craft and design on global platforms ANANYA BIRLA MAKES STRIKING DEBUT IN DRAMATIC BLACK COUTURE Director of the Aditya Birla Group, Ananya Birla, made her debut at the Met Gala 2026 on Monday evening in a striking couture look that blended fashion with art. For her appearance, Birla wore a custom creation by RobertWun, paired with a sculptural mask designed by artist Subodh Gupta. The outfit featured a structured black jacket with a dramatic peplum and a voluminous pleated skirt, giving it a strong, sculpted silhouette. The most eye-catching element of the look was the metallic face mask made using stainless steel. The piece covered her face completely, turning the look into some- thing both powerful and mysterious. The design aimed to present a contrast, hiding identity while also show- PHOTO:REUTERS HOTOS: INSTAGRAM @RHEAKAPOOR,COURTESY ANI PHOTO:REUTERS Natasha Poonawalla Ananya Birla Sudha Reddy - Continued On Page 7