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Actor Alia Bhatt, who returned to the 2024 Met Gala for the second time, could not have looked more stunning in her elaborate Sabya saree.
This year’s theme for the coveted event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” and the dress code, aptly called “The Garden of Time” was brilliant encapsulated in Alia’s ethereal outfit.
On the creation, fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s official Instagram page stated: “As the galloping horde of mechanization, modernization, and uniformity march ever closer; it is craft, that embodiment of human touch, tradition and diversity that will safeguard culture from the passage of time.”
The saree’s elaborate train, hand embroidered with silk floss, beads, sequins, semi-precious stones and fringed with glass beads, transformed Alia into a muse at the event. The hand-crafted blouse was studded with emeralds, Basra pearls, tourmalines and multi coloured sapphires.
To complement the drape, Alia wore Sabyasachi High Jewellery’s Bengal Royal collection in tourmalines, sapphires, emeralds and old mine cut and brilliant cut EF VVS diamonds. And the look was sealed with a custom craft edition of the Baby Tiger studded with emeralds, Basra pearls, tourmalines and multi coloured sapphires from Sabyasachi Accessories.
According to the actor, 163 people were involved in the creation of this masterpiece, spending a total of 1965-man hours. On her Insta page, Alia wrote: Nothing embodies tradition and innovation like the saree; in the skilled hands of @sabyasachiofficial, this vision found its fullest expression. We looked to the past as a guide for the future, drawing inspiration from the timeless sophistication of Indian nobility. We focused on intricate craftsmanship, incorporating hand embroidery, precious stones, along with elegant beadwork and fringes, distinctive of the 1920’s fringe style. Our colour palette pays homage to nature’s beauty, echoing the earth, sky, and sea. We embraced a delicate nostalgia for hair and makeup - an elevated coiffure embellished with intricately woven braids and soft freckles - a homage to time’s gentle caress. Creating this has been quite an experience… fun and stressful in equal parts. It has taken a collective effort of 163 dedicated individuals, including master craftspeople, embroiderers, artists, and dyers, investing a total of 1965-man hours to create this ethereal saree. As I wear this outfit, I feel incredibly grateful to embody this exquisite creation, a testament to boundless love and painstaking effort. A big thank you to @anaitashroffadajania, @lakshmilehr, @puneetbsaini, @amitthakur_hair, @dolly.jain , and my amazing team for being the most wonderful collaborators through this ‘Garden of Time’.
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Also present were Isha Ambani who wore a couture saree gown by Rahul Mishra, and was styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania. The detailed hand-embroidered outfit was designed at Mishra's workshops across various Indian villages. Isha was also carrying a Swadesh clutch that was made using Indian art forms of Nakshi and miniature painting.