Shah Rukh Khan and Kiara Advani’s Met Gala debut is doubling up as a battleground for two of India’s biggest designers, as both celebrate 25 years in fashion. Both would want to outdo the other on global platform.
This May, all eyes will be on India at the Met Gala as Shah Rukh Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Kiara Advani make their much-anticipated appearances. But beyond the star power, it’s a silent battle of prestige between the designers — Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Manish Malhotra — both marking 25 years in the fashion industry and aiming to outshine each other on the global stage.
In 2024, Sabyasachi made history as the first Indian designer to walk the Met Gala red carpet himself. That same year, Alia Bhatt stunned in a Sabyasachi sari during her sophomore Met appearance. Now, in a major coup, Sabyasachi will dress Shah Rukh Khan for his Met Gala debut. With the 2025 theme —“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”—focusing on menswear and cultural evolution, this collaboration between India’s biggest superstar and its most influential couturier is a match made in fashion heaven.
“It doesn’t get bigger than this,” says a celebrity stylist. “Shah Rukh Khan is an icon, and being dressed by Sabyasachi reinforces the designer’s growing global influence.” Also making her debut is mom-to-be Kiara Advani, styled by her longtime collaborator, Manish Malhotra. Rumors suggest that Kiara was hesitant about attending, but was persuaded by producer-mentor Ashvini Yardi and Malhotra himself. While the speculation remains unconfirmed, insiders hint at intense competition among India’s top designers.
“Manish is synonymous with Bollywood glamour—think Devdas, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. His designs defined a generation of film fashion and wedding couture,” notes a stylist. “To have his work on the Met red carpet is a moment of prestige for the brand.”
