Carrying a bit of South Indian heritage and art on the Met steps this year, philanthropist Sudha Reddy walked the red carpet depicting the “Tree of Life” woven in Indian craftsmanship, and how.
For her third time attending the gala, Reddy was dressed in a custom creation by Manish Malhotra. Adding to the regal appearance were her stunning jewels, estimated to be worth around USD 15 million (over Rs 140 crore), which did all the talking.
But first, let’s decode the outfit.
This year, the Met Gala dress code was “Fashion is Art,” and her interpretation of all the art, craft, fashion, and identity was closer to home.
“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 craftsmanship isn’t a legacy confined to history but a living, breathing art form,” the businesswoman shared.
Reddy donned Malhotra’s signature swirl gown with a sweeping trail. The corseted royal blue velvet gown with gold zardozi and metallic accents oozed nothing but royalty.
The inspiration came from Kalamkari—specifically the Machilipatnam style—one of India’s oldest textile traditions known for its intricate storytelling. The “Tree of Life,” a motif symbolising growth and interconnectedness, became the central narrative thread, woven, embroidered, and sculpted across the ensemble.
A delicate Palapitta motif was embroidered onto the bodice using fine marodi work, while peacock designs spread across the long, seven-metre train, adding movement and drama.
At the back, the look took a more sculptural turn. A hand-crafted metal installation—made using brass, copper, and silver—formed a vine-like structure, with the Kalpavriksha at its centre, turning the look into something almost museum-like.
The ensemble took over 3,400 hours and the hands of more than 90 artisans to complete. It felt less like an outfit and more like a living canvas.
Reddy’s jewellery did all the talking
Did you look at the tanzanite sitting elegantly at the centre of her neck? Breathtaking, for real!
The statement neck piece is a “Victorian-finished necklace featuring triangular and pear-shaped rose-cut diamonds arranged in delicate floral clusters. It is anchored by the striking 550-carat ‘Queen of Merelani’ deep violet-blue tanzanite sourced from Tanzania’s Merelani Hills.”
Hold on. That’s not it.
To accentuate the look, she also wore a 23-carat yellow diamond ring alongside a 30-carat rose-cut polki diamond ring from Rajasthan.
The jewellery, according to her team, costs a whopping USD 15 million.
Reddy completed the look with a custom clutch by Manish Malhotra, featuring zardozi embroidery and subtle gold tassel details.
The beauty game, however, stayed understated. Soft contouring, lightly smoked-out eyes, and a sleek low ponytail kept the focus on the outfit, while gold-chrome French tips added just the right amount of polish without stealing attention.
Several Indian celebrities attended Met Gala this year. Karan Johar made his Met debut, joined by Jaipur’s royal siblings Gauravi Kumari and Sawai Padmanabh Singh. Familiar faces like Isha Ambani, Natasha Poonawalla, and Manish Malhotra returned too.
