The 2025 Met Gala didn’t just dazzle with glamour—it upended the fashion influence hierarchy. While previous years were dominated by stars like Rihanna and Zendaya, this year’s power rankings revealed fresh faces shaking up the scene, led by Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan.
According to The Hollywood Reporter and Launchmetrics’ exclusive Red Carpet Power Rankings, which use Media Impact Value (MIV) to measure social engagement and media buzz, Shah Rukh Khan claimed the top spot among male attendees with a staggering $19 million in MIV. Marking a historic debut as the first male Bollywood star at the Met, Khan’s regal Sabyasachi look—complete with a gold-encrusted Bengal tiger walking stick—captivated audiences worldwide. His Instagram post alone attracted over 5.3 million likes and 80,000 comments.
Also shining was Diljit Dosanjh, who took third place with a Sikh-inspired Prabal Gurung ensemble, generating $7.3 million in MIV. Meanwhile, co-chair Lewis Hamilton, dressed in Wales Bonner, surprisingly fell outside the top two, underscoring how cultural novelty and social media engagement can outweigh traditional star power.
The gala’s “Tailored for You” theme, celebrating Black style and dandyism, inspired innovative suiting looks that fueled a total $1.3 billion in MIV for the night. Just the top 10 names and brands accounted for $445 million of that, with Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton reigning as the top brand at $55.2 million. Lalisa Manobal topped the women’s list, while global stars like Colman Domingo and Bad Bunny also made strong showings.
This year’s Met Gala proved that influence transcends borders. Shah Rukh Khan’s stunning debut not only boosted South Asian representation but also signaled a shift toward fashion narratives that prioritize storytelling, culture, and viral impact. Even fashion veterans like Hamilton were reminded: at the Met, style is just the start—impact is everything.