Shah Rukh Khan, a towering figure in the global celebrity sphere, found himself standing on the prestigious Met Gala red carpet, yet despite his worldwide fame, a hint of jitteriness pervaded his demeanor. The Bollywood legend, affectionately known as SRK by his devoted fans, made his highly anticipated debut at the Met Gala with an understated elegance, encapsulated in a floor-sweeping black wool coat crafted by the esteemed Indian designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
Complementing his sophisticated ensemble were daring accessories, a standout among them being a sprawling, sparkling "K" dangling gracefully from a chain and a cane adorned with a gem-encrusted tiger's head, exuding an aura of bold individuality.
Perhaps to quell his inner nerves—SRK had confessed to Vogue livestream hosts Ego Nwodim and Teyana Taylor that he harbors a timid side and often steers clear of red carpet events—he entrusted Mukherjee to adhere to his tried-and-true style palette. "I told Sabya that my go-to colors are black and white, but what we designed together is what I feel most at ease in," Khan revealed. "This, to me, is the epitome of comfort and style."
With over a century of films under his belt, Khan's Met Gala debut had long been anticipated. Mukherjee deemed it serendipitous that Khan made his entrance during a year where the Met honored Black designers and the enduring legacy of Black dandyism—a fashion movement as steeped in politics as it is in impeccable elegance. "When a figure like SRK steps onto the red carpet, especially during a year dedicated to 'Black dandy,' representation transcends all else," Mukherjee emphasized. "Our mission was to showcase Shah Rukh Khan as Shah Rukh Khan, unadulterated and unique."
Mukherjee himself is a global icon, whose label, Sabyasachi, is renowned for its glamorous gowns and saris that regularly grace the bodies of Bollywood stars. Earlier this year, he aspirations were set on making Sabyasachi "India's first global luxury brand." To celebrate his label's 25th anniversary, he orchestrated a grand runway spectacle showcasing over 150 outfits, each inspired by his upbringing in West Bengal.
Sharing the Met Gala red carpet with Khan, another luminary of Indian cinema made his debut: Diljit Dosanjh, a musician and actor revered for his contributions to Punjabi music and cinema. Mimicking the trend of celebrities wearing capes this year, Dosanjh's was an intricate work of art, embroidered with a detailed map of Punjab. The Nepali-American designer Prabal Gurung was behind this bejeweled ensemble, reminiscent of a maharaja, as reported by The New York Times.
