Designer Manish Malhotra attended the 2026 Met Gala wearing a custom black Indian Bandhgala paired with a sculptural ivory cape [1].
The ensemble serves as a public acknowledgment of the labor behind high fashion. By integrating the names of his craftsmen directly into the garment, Malhotra shifted the spotlight from the designer to the artisans who execute the work.
The ivory cape featured the names of 50 artisans [2]. These individuals, known as karigars, are the skilled craftsmen who specialize in the intricate embroidery, and tailoring required for such couture pieces [3].
Malhotra said the look was a tribute to his work family and the city of Mumbai [2]. The choice of a Bandhgala, a formal closed-neck jacket, combined with the ivory cape created a contrast between traditional Indian silhouettes and the avant-garde nature of the Met Gala [1].
This gesture highlights the often-invisible role of textile workers in the global luxury market. While designers typically receive the accolades for a collection, the technical execution relies on a network of specialized laborers [3]. By listing these names on a global stage, the designer sought to provide visibility to his team [2].
The 2026 event continued the tradition of using fashion as a medium for storytelling. Malhotra used the sculptural elements of the cape to create a physical archive of his collaborators [1].
“The ivory cape featured the names of 50 artisans”
This act challenges the traditional hierarchy of haute couture, where the creative director is the sole recognized author of a piece. By documenting 50 individual contributors on a garment at one of the world's most visible fashion events, Malhotra is advocating for a shift toward collective credit and the formal recognition of artisanal labor in the luxury sector.
