South Asian Celebrities Dazzle at Met Gala With Their Own Interpretations of ‘Gilded Glamor’ Theme

The 2022 Met Gala — undisputedly the biggest night in fashion and glamour was held in New York City on May 2. Celebrities across industries including TV, film, politics and sport were dressed to interpret the event’s theme, ‘Gilded Glamor,’ celebrating the fashion of the age of industrialization in the U.S. Attendees were seen wearing elaborate garments with intricate embroidery, corsets, and gold layered on gold.

South Asian celebs dazzled on the red carpet as well. British Indian actor, rapper and activist Riz Ahmed “put his own unique twist on the gala’s theme” as he chose to turn the spotlight on immigrants, as reported by Vanity Fair. “Ahmed underscored the great class disparity that existed during that era by dressing as an immigrant laborer,” said the Vanity Fair report. He was seen wearing an undone navy blue jacket from immigrant designer, 4S Designs, over a white tank top, and matching loose, drawstring pants tucked into knee-high black leather boots, and a long Cartier necklace. 

On the red carpet, Ahmed told Vanity Fair that his outfit is “an homage to the immigrant workers who kept the Gilded Age going.” He said he wanted “to focus on the people without whom nothing Gilded would exist: the laborers, the workers, the unseen. This look is for everyone who thinks they don’t have a voice. They do.”

Joining Ahmed was Mindy Kaling, who looked sensational in an Atelier Prabal Gurung lilac hand-pleated silk chiffon gown embroidered with hand-cut silk florets, with a plunging neckline, and a thigh-high slit on the side. Keeping with the violet theme, the actress wore a pair of matching silk pumps and added sparkle to her look with diamond jewels. 

Making her debut at the iconic event was Simone Ashley, the breakout star of season two of Netflix’s “Bridgerton.” She was wearing a gold-speckled bustier with a high-waisted, floor-length black skirt “and a flowy shawl featuring a massive bow in the back by Moschino,” according to a report in the Vogue. 

Nepali fashion designer Prabal Gurung also attended the gala. Business Insider noted that it was Gurung’s 2019 collection – “an ode to the American dream,” — that was an inspiration for the Costume Institute’s exhibitions in 2021 and 2022 and the gala. Gurung’s collection included sashes that posed the question, “Who gets to be American,” which became an important component of the exhibitions. Per CNN, “the 2022 gala theme continued 2021’s exploration of American style, in keeping with the Costume Institute’s accompanying two-part exhibition, ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion.’”

Indian socialite Natasha Poonawalla was also at the gala. She was dressed in a golden Sabyasachi sari with a metallic corset and a train. According to Sabyasachi, Poonawalla’s vision was to interpret the dress code with an Indian gaze that revels in its multiculturalism and authenticity.

Also in attendance was Vanity Fair editor Radhika Jones in a Tory Burch dress.

The annual Met Gala is traditionally held on the first Monday in May to raise money for the Costume Institute in New York City. Last year’s event was moved to September due to the pandemic. This year’s event was hosted by Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.