Following her stunning debut on the Met Gala red carpet last year, Alia Bhatt returned for her second appearance at what is often regarded as ‘fashion’s biggest night.
The event took place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where she stunned onlookers with a Sabyasachi saree adorned with stunning embroidery and precious gemstones.
Alia’s dress was carefully curated to complement this year’s Met Gala theme, ‘The Garden of Time.’ This year’s event also commemorates the debut of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
The saree’s 23-foot train is decorated with hand-embroidered blooms composed of silk thread, glass beading, and semi-precious stones. The saree was draped by Dolly Jain.
The saree reflected India’s history and ingenuity, and that concept was fully realised. It looked to the past for direction in the future, drawing inspiration from the enduring refinement of Indian royalty.
The attire emphasised delicate craftsmanship, with hand embroidery, precious stones, elegant beadwork, and fringes evocative of the 1920s fringe style. The colour scheme celebrates nature’s beauty, resembling the earth, sky, and sea.
The designers channelled a delicate nostalgia for hair and cosmetics, creating an enhanced coiffure embellished with delicately woven braids and small freckles as a tribute to time’s soft caress.
Alia mentioned in her caption that designing the saree was both joyful and frustrating. This airy saree was created by 163 committed individuals, including experienced crafters, embroiderers, artists, and dyers, who contributed a total of 1965 man hours.
