Created by Manish Malhotra in collaboration with stylist Mariel Haenn, the couture ensemble drew from Telangana’s cultural motifs and took more than 3,459 hours and 90 artisans to complete.
Sudha Reddy brought South Indian textile artistry into the global fashion conversation at the 2026 Met Gala with a couture ensemble rooted in the centuries old Kalamkari tradition.
The billionaire philanthropist attended the event in a custom Manish Malhotra creation titled “The Tree of Life,” developed in collaboration with celebrity stylist Mariel Haenn. Inspired by the Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari, the look interpreted one of India’s oldest textile traditions through a contemporary couture lens while remaining deeply connected to regional symbolism and craftsmanship.
Known for its hand painted storytelling and intricate depictions of mythology and nature, Kalamkari formed the conceptual foundation of the ensemble. The Tree of Life motif emerged as the central visual narrative, symbolising interconnectedness, balance, and growth.
The couture piece was realised over 3,459 hours by more than 90 artisans and incorporated zardozi, marodi, resham, zari, and sculptural metalwork across velvet, silk, and tulle. The design also referenced Telangana’s cultural landscape through motifs including the Palapitta, Jammi Chettu, Tangedu, Kalpavriksha, Surya, and Chandra.
A sculpted corseted silhouette in royal blue formed the base of the ensemble, layered with antique gold zari embroidery and Manish Malhotra’s signature swirl construction. Peacock motifs extended across a seven metre embroidered trail, while a sheer tulle cape carried hand embroidered depictions of Hyderabad’s flora and fauna.
The ensemble also featured a sculpted metal vine installation crafted by hand using brass, copper, and silver. At its centre stood the Kalpavriksha motif surrounded by symbolic references connected to Telangana’s seasonal and cultural traditions.
Sudha Reddy paired the couture look with jewellery from her personal collection valued at 15 million dollars. The collection included a Victorian finished necklace featuring the 550 carat “Queen of Merelani” tanzanite sourced from Tanzania, alongside yellow diamond and rose cut polki diamond rings. A collector grade Dolce and Gabbana minaudière and a custom Manish Malhotra clutch completed the styling.
The beauty direction, shaped under Mariel Haenn’s styling approach, featured soft contouring, diffused smoky cat eyes, a sleek low ponytail, and gold chrome French tip nail art.
Sudha Reddy said, “Hyderabad is my foundation and this ensemble is a translation of that cultural identity into a language that is both global and deeply personal. Indian craftsmanship isn’t a legacy confined to history but a living, breathing art form.”
She added, “The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana recently emphasized that South Indian crafts and textiles deserve sustained global visibility, even envisioning their presence at platforms like London and Paris Fashion Week. That became my singular brief to the team — to take the richness of South Indian textile heritage to an international stage. New York was our starting point.”
Manish Malhotra said, “Fashion, for me, has always been about the emotion behind the image. With ‘The Tree of Life,’ we wanted to create something that carries memory and the soul of the craft. It is not merely worn, it is experienced.”
Mariel Haenn said the collaboration focused on presenting Indian heritage through a cinematic contemporary perspective while remaining connected to Sudha Reddy’s personal cultural identity.
Through the appearance, Sudha Reddy continued her effort to place Indian craftsmanship and regional textile traditions within international luxury fashion conversations.
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