Met Gala 2025: Who is Natasha Poonawalla? ‘The Empress' fashion icon brings Indian Gara embroidery at the event
The much-awaited Met Gala 2025 took place on May 5 in in New York City, USA, with various personalities showcasing their fashion style. This year's theme was 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style". Besides Shah Rukh Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, Kiara Advani, Isha Ambani and others, it saw the presence of Natasha Poonawalla who was spotted in a custom Manish Malhotra ensemble.
Natsha, 43, is a businesswoman, wife of Adar Poonawalla, with a passion for design and fashion. She plays a crucial role in Serum Institute of India (SII) as the Executive Director.
When it comes to her education, she graduated from Savitribai Phule Pune University and later earned a Master's degree from London School of Economics and Political Science.
She married to Adar in 2006 whom she met at a New Year's Eve party in Goa which was hosted by business tycoon Vijay Mallya, and they have two sons, Cyrus and Darius.
Besides business successes, they have been praised for their philanthropic efforts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Serum Institute played an important role in vaccine production.
She is often spotted on the red carpets of prestigious events like the Met Gala, where her bold fashion choices consistently make a statement and challenge conventions.
Styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania and Lakshmi Lehr, Natasha's outfit was a masterclass in storytelling through fashion. At its core was a corseted, sculptural silhouette that seamlessly blended the intricate heritage of Indian Gara embroidery with the bold structure of Western tailoring.
The ensemble featured a reimagined fishtail skirt, meticulously crafted from two antique Gara saris, one over 100 years old, carefully revived from Malhotra's archives. Its hand-embroidered fabric unfolded like a woven narrative, each motif rich with generational craftsmanship and artisanal finesse.
Embroidered with the rare ektaar technique, where a single thread creates an unbroken pattern, the black Gara jacket became a symbol of continuity and subtle defiance. Underneath, a vintage French lace bralette edged with pearls paired with a corset-cummerbund, blending elegance with the controlled flamboyance characteristic of dandyism.
According to Malhotra, Natasha was 'The Empress of Indian Fashion".
First Published: 6 May 2025, 08:32 AM IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Diljit Dosanjh hints at desi Hips Don't Lie collaboration with Shakira. Watch
Singer Diljit Dosanjh hinted at making the Indian version of pop sensation Shakira's famous song 'Hips Don't Lie'. He was speaking to Grammy President Panos A Panay on June 11 at the Billboard summit in Toronto when he recalled his meeting with Shakira, and shared that there could be a possible collaboration between the two.A video of Diljit speaking to Panos has been shared by a fan page of the singer on Instagram. Panos can be heard asking, "Rumour has it that you carpooled with Shakira. I am curious how you see these collaborations from an artistic point of view?"advertisementThe singer responded, "Hips don't lie, sir", inviting a huge roar and applause from the audience present at the event. He went on, "She (Shakira) invited me to her tour and suggested we do an Indian version of 'Hips don't lie'. It's going to be tricky, but I am in." Panay recently spoke to Billboard Canada about Diljit's presence at the event. He said the modern music industry has been primarily dominated by an Anglo-American lens, but now we're at a juncture where more and more music from artists who don't speak English is on a global made his debut at the Met Gala last month. Many photos and videos of the singer from the event appeared online where he was seen spending time with several Hollywood celebrities, including Shakira. Diljit's Met Gala 2025 experience went viral when he shared a limo ride with Shakira and Nicole Scherzinger. His appearance at the event garnered immense praise not just from his fans in India but also overseas. advertisementDiljit's success journey is an inspiration to music lovers across the world. The singer-turned-actor is the first Indian artist to have his three albums featured on Billboard charts. He became the first Indian Punjabi artist to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023. He is also the first Punjabi artist to be featured in New York's Times Square. His appearance at the Met Gala also broke records as he became the first Indian Sikh artist to attend the global concert tour of the singer, named 'Dil-lumanati', also created immense excitement in India and overseas, with the tickets being sold out within minutes of release. Some of his popular songs include 'Panga', Los Angeles', 'Lakk 28 Kudi Da', 'Proper Patola', 'Born To Shine' and 'Lover'. He also appeared in Punjabi and Hindi films, like 'Jatt & Juliet', Sardaariji', 'Ambarsariya','Udta Punjab', 'Good Newwz', 'Amar Singh Chamkila' and Watch IN THIS STORY#Diljit Singh Dosanjh
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Diljit Dosanjh On His Car Ride With Shakira At The Met Gala 2025: "She Invited Me On Her Tour, And Then..."
New Delhi: Met Gala this year saw a starry presence with the biggest names gracing the event. While Shah Rukh Khan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Alia Bhatt made an impressive debut to remember, several other BTS moments struck a chord with the internet. One of them was Diljit, who was travelling in a luxurious car with singer and songwriter Shakira and singer, actress, dancer, and songwriter Nicole Scherzinger. His team shared a video of them chilling together, and the text in the video read - "If global domination had a face - Diljit X Shakira." Once again Sardari kaim in world Diljit X Shakira at #MetGala #MetGala2025xFREEN — SHERA (@Oldd_School_) May 6, 2025 Now latest updates have surfaced which suggest that the Billboard Summit was launched in Canada. At the event, Diljit Dosanjh sat down for a special interview with Panos A Panay, President of the Recording Academy, the organisation behind Grammy Awards at NXNE in Toronto's TIFF Lightbox, on Wednesday (June 11). A snippet of Panos asking Diljit about his viral video with Shakira at his maiden MET Gala appearance earlier this year is doing the rounds on social media, which is sure to spark a lot of interest among fans. What's Happening Diljit Dosanjh was a special speaker at NXNE in Toronto's TIFF Lightbox on June 11, 2025, for the launch of the Billboard Summit in Canada. He sat down for an interview with Panos A Panay, President of the Recording Academy, the organisation behind the Grammys. Panos believes Diljit is a crucial name when it comes to representing music on a global stage, and has a diverse career in it across languages. Referring to Diljit hanging out with Ed Sheeran and then "carpooling" with Shakira, clearly referring to the viral Met Gala moment, Panos asked him, "You have collaborated with Sia. I was watching your video with Ed Sheeran. Rumour has it, you have carpooled with Shakira. How do you see these collaborations from an artistic point of view?" View this post on Instagram A post shared by TEAM DOSANJH (@teamdiljitglobal) "Hips don't lie, sir," Diljit said, in a hilarious reference to Shakira's record-breaking song Hips Don't Lie. "But it was Shakira who invited me on her tour. She said, 'We should do an Indian version of Hips Don't Lie. It's going to be tricky but I'm in," he added. About Diljit And Shakira's Viral Moments From Met Gala 2025 Days after the gala event, Diljit shared a BTS clip revealing what went behind his grand dress-up. The singer walked the Met Gala 2025 blue carpet dressed in a regal white ensemble in an apparent homage to the Maharaja of Patiala. The garment was designed by American-Nepalese designer Prabal Gurung. One of the highlights of the video is Diljit revealing they got late as one of the zippers on Shakira's dress broke. "They are not taking us to the main area, all the action is happening at the backstage itself. Takes us to the stage. I guess the zipper of Shakira's dress broke, that's why we are late. I knew we would be late because of Shakira," he says in the video. At one point, Diljit is seen entering a room where other celebrities such as Nicole Scherzinger and Tessa Thompson are getting their photoshoots done. Nicole even compliments Diljit on his look. Diljit Dosanjh's team shared a photo that instantly set the internet abuzz. The singer-actor also posed alongside global music icons Shakira and Nicole Scherzinger at the exclusive dinner hosted by Anna Wintour, MET Gala's lead chairperson. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TEAM DOSANJH (@teamdiljitglobal) Why Diljit Dosanjh Is The Perfect Choice For The Billboard Summit In Canada Diljit Dosanjh has been a growing phenomenon with his Dil-Luminati Tour last year. His stadium concerts at Vancouver's BC Place and Toronto's Rogers Centre were billed as "the biggest Punjabi music events held outside India". He had also graced the cover of a special edition of Billboard Canada, as well as Global No. 1's digital cover of Billboard in 2024. He was also the first Punjabi artist to perform at the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, marking a major milestone for representing Punjabi music on a global stage. About The Billboard Summit In Toronto It is indeed a special moment with the Billboard Summit coming to Toronto for the first time. Its launch at NXNE marks Billboard's 30th anniversary. The event hosted a slew of artist-led conversations and workshops, where music was put as the source from which every discussion stems at the event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TEAM DOSANJH (@teamdiljitglobal) Panos A Panay told Billboard Canada, "It's a special opportunity because music is universal. For the first 50, 60, and even 70 years of the modern music industry, it's been primarily dominated by an Anglo-American lens. I think we're at a juncture now where more and more music from artists who don't speak English is not just breaking through in regional markets, but also on a global stage. The fact that we can use a multicultural city like Toronto as a platform to send that message - that's what makes it so meaningful." In A Nutshell The Billboard Summit was launched in Canada on June 11, 2025. Diljit Dosanjh scripted history once again, as he sat down for a special interview with Panos A Panay, President of the Recording Academy, the organisation behind the Grammys at NXNE in Toronto's TIFF Lightbox. He was asked about his viral clips and collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Sia, and mostly carpooling with Shakira. Diljit said during the ride she suggested they create an Indian version of her famous track Hips Don't Lie.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Diljit Dosanjh tickles Grammys president and audience as he tries to speak English on stage; fans are proud of him
Global superstar Diljit Dosanjh met Recording Academy/Grammys President Panos A. Panay for a conversation on his career and beyond in Toronto, and he stole the show with his endearing attempt to speak English on stage. His attempt brought smiles to the faces of both the president and the audience. Also read: Diljit Dosanjh reveals Shakira's last-minute wardrobe disaster before Met Gala debut: 'I knew we would get late' Diljit is riding high on the success of his catchy tunes and collaborations with renowned artists like Sia, Ed Sheeran, and a car hangout with Shakira. The global superstar looked back at his journey when he sat down with Recording Academy/Grammys President Panos A. Panay on June 11 in Toronto at TIFF Lightbox. 'I don't feel any pressure. I feel everything is happening on its own.... Like the sun shines on its own.... The Earth is moving on its own, our heart is beating on its own... We don't have any control over our breath, but still we think that we have control over it... So, I don't take any pressure because everything is happening on its own," Diljit said. On stage, Diljit, known for speaking in Punjabi, made an attempt to converse in English, pausing occasionally to find the right words. The audience erupted in cheers and applause, warmly embracing his efforts. He added, 'People say no1 this and that.... I like number 1, that is my lucky number'. A post shared by TEAM DOSANJH (@teamdiljitglobal) During the conversation, he also asked about his meetings with global icons. Panos A. Panay asked, 'You have collaborated with Sia, Ed Sheeran. Rumour has it that you carpooled with Shakira. How do you see these collaborations from an artistic point'. To which, Diljit laughed and quipped, 'Hips don't lie. Shakira invited me on her tour. She has suggested I make an Indian version of Hips Don't Lie'. His response was met with loud cheers from the audience. From performing at iconic music festivals such as Coachella, appearing on late-night American television, or selling out stadiums abroad, Diljit has continually pushed the envelope for Indian representation on the world stage. And he has done it without ever compromising on his language, culture, or roots. Most recently, he made his debut at MET Gala. Next, he will be seen in web film, Detective Sherdil. Directed by Ravi Chhabriya, the film will see Diljit channelling his inner Sherlock Holmes, marking a departure from his usual on-screen persona. Detective Sherdil also features Diana Penty, Boman Irani, Chunky Panday, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Vyas, and Banita Sandhu. It will be released on Zee 5 on 20 June.
