Diljit Dosanjh didn’t just attend the Met Gala this year—he made it a moment. The beloved Punjabi artist turned heads and set social media ablaze with his royal Punjabi outfit. Clad in a custom creation by designer Prabal Gurung and styled by Abhilasha Devnani, Dosanjh wore an ivory and gold sherwani with a twist. The traditional silhouette was elevated by a flowing cape, richly hand-embroidered with golden thread. It featured Gurmukhi script and the map of Punjab, stitched meticulously by a "team of 50 artisans over four days," according to Vogue India. Peacocks and roses were stitched along with French knot detailing on the silk cape. Completing his majestic look was a jewel-studded turban with a feather, an homage to royal headwear, and a heavy diamond necklace designed by Golecha’s Jewels—reminiscent of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s legendary Patiala necklace. On his wrist, a Panthère de Cartier watch added a sleek, modern contrast to the regal ensemble.
But Dosanjh didn’t stop at fashion. He added a meaningful cultural symbol in place of the Western dandy cane—carrying a lion-headed, jewel-encrusted kirpan. The 2025 Met Gala saw the highest number of Indian-origin celebrities at the event up until now. Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan made a memorable debut at the Met Gala, becoming the first Indian male actor to attend the event. He wore a custom ensemble by Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, featuring a tailored, floor-length coat made from fine Tasmanian wool, accented with Japanese horn buttons. The look was completed with layered talismanic chains, a crystal-studded ‘K’ pendant, a diamond star brooch, multiple rings, and an 18k gold cane adorned with precious stones. Other stars like Priyanka Chopra, Kiara Advani, and Isha Ambani also made their presence known.
However, the celebration took a turn when controversy arose regarding Cartier's refusal to loan the original Patiala Necklace for Dosanjh’s appearance. His stylist, Abhilasha Devnani, told The New York Times that she “tried to borrow that iconic Cartier necklace for the night” but was informed it “sits sealed in a museum.” The choker necklace, created by Cartier in 1928 for Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, is a storied artifact of colonial-era opulence. Designed with 2,930 diamonds and featuring the world’s seventh-largest diamond—the De Beers—the piece vanished in 1948 and was later recovered, though stripped of most of its precious stones. Currently, the necklace is part of an ongoing Cartier exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, running from April 12 to November 16, 2025.
The backlash gained momentum online when users compared Dosanjh’s denial with YouTuber Emma Chamberlain’s 2022 Met Gala appearance. Chamberlain had worn a Cartier choker believed to be part of the original Patiala necklace. “So Diljit Dosanjh had to wear jewels inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala’s Cartier collection, as he wasn’t allowed to wear the original necklace. But Emma Chamberlain wore the original Cartier Patiala Choker in 2022 #MetGala. Talk about cultural appropriation!” wrote a user on X. Another post read: “Diljit Dosanjh was denied permission by Cartier to borrow Maharaja of Patiala’s choker. But they happily gave it to a white YouTuber a few years ago.” Fashion influencers and commentators also weighed in, questioning Cartier’s refusal and pointing to what many perceived as a selective honoring of history.
Despite the controversy, Dosanjh’s Met Gala moment remains one of the event’s most talked-about highlights in India. Styled by Abhilasha Devnani and dressed by designer Prabal Gurung, Dosanjh completed his look with pieces from Golecha Jewels and Cartier. He wore a Panthère de Cartier watch, bracelet, and ring. In an Instagram post, he thanked Cartier, along with Anna Wintour, Devnani, Gurung, and Golecha Jewels for helping bring his vision to life.
Following the Met Gala, Dosanjh took to social media to share his humorous take on his breakfast at Louis Vuitton, a luxurious dining experience. He shared a video where he playfully reviewed his lavish breakfast, including truffle eggs and an avocado dish with red soupy curry. "They say ‘We want to do Louis Vuitton breakfast. Come eat Louis Vuitton’s breakfast. This is truffle eggs. They have put our hot makhani sauce in eggs. What is this?'" he laughed, showcasing his down-to-earth nature and engaging personality.
As Diljit Dosanjh continues to make waves on the global stage, he is also set to release a collaboration with Chinese rapper Jackson Wang for a track titled "Buck," dropping on May 9, 2025. This partnership highlights his commitment to blending tradition with contemporary influences, proving that he can stay rooted while reaching for the stars.
From fashion’s biggest night to the world music stage, Diljit is rewriting the playbook for global Indian artists. Whether he’s draped in tradition or dropping multilingual bangers, he’s not just representing Punjab—he’s putting it on the world map, one iconic move at a time.
