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“It has to be HARDCORE India story”, that was the only condition for Girotra when Diya DMed him to create her look. Diya's Met Gala 2026 ensemble is a sophisticated juxtaposition of textures and regional crafts. The focal point is the ivory, 3D baroque-style bodice. This was inspired by West Bengal’s shola work; a traditional craft using the milky-white, spongey wood of the shola plant. Traditionally used for religious idols and headgear, Mayyur transformed it into an 'architectural ornament' that mimics classical European baroque flourishes but with a purely Indian soul. The structural shola work was placed over exquisite Kanjivaram fabric, grounding the ethereal white carvings with the rich, golden weight of south Indian silk.

Girotra who is no stranger to dressing India's who's who for everything from weddings to red-carpets, says this one was a process of research and a collaborative craft endeavour with Deepak Kumbha and Pintu Molla, Durga Pujo artisans from Kolkata.

Per Manish- “Fashion is Art/ Artisan. Our atelier at The Met.

For my appearance at the Met Gala, I wanted to create something deeply personal- a reflection of Mumbai, the city that has shaped my journey, my cinema, and my sense of design, along with the atelier that brings my vision to life every day- my work family. There is nothing like a classic Indian bandhgala- here layered with an architectural cape, brought to life over 960 hours by more than 50 artisans across Mumbai and Delhi. For me, this is more than a garment- it is a story of craft, memory, and collaboration.
Dori, zardozi, chikankari, and kasab embroidery come together as a narrative. Woven into the piece are the names and signatures of the artisans themselves- a tribute to every hand and every moment that shaped it. Intricate hand-embroidery serves as references to Mumbai's cinematic landmarks, while three-dimensional sculptural elements celebrate the artisans of his atelier who crafted the piece.
This look is both a celebration and a reminder - of where we come from, and how Indian craftsmanship continues to find its place on a global stage.”

I liked this, but now I like Taz more. Both are suitable for oily, closed-comedone prone skin, btw. Just a little FYI, it’s prescription-only.

Item shown in the picture: A-ret gel 0.025%