Natasha Poonawalla takes Parsi heritage to Met Gala 2025 with traditional Gara outfit

Indian Express

08-05-2025

At this year's Met Gala, themed 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style', Pune's Natasha Poonawalla didn't just serve fashion, but heritage. Draped in a custom Manish Malhotra ensemble adorned with authentic Parsi Gara embroidery, she brought a piece of her community's cultural legacy to one of the most prestigious fashion stages in the world, the Met Gala in Manhattan. The look was styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania, also a Parsi, making the moment even more rooted in identity and intention.
'It was spectacular,' said Ashdeen Lilaowala, one of India's most respected Gara designers. 'She took Parsi embroidery to the Met. That's huge. It's always great to see a craft we hold so dear represented on an international platform,' said the textile designer.
Gara embroidery isn't just beautiful, it's steeped in history. The art form originated when Parsi traders began interacting with Chinese artisans, eventually adapting the delicate embroidery into what became known as Gara. It was often used in saris worn during weddings and ceremonies, filled with motifs of birds, flowers, and natural elements that reflect the Parsi reverence for nature. 'When Parsis were thriving in trade and settling in Bombay, Gara became part of their identity,' Lilaowala explained. 'It wasn't cheap or mass-produced. It was precious, ceremonial,' he said.
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In Pune, the Parsi community has had a huge influence and has long held its traditions close. Many families still treasure their heirloom Gara saris, wearing them on auspicious occasions. 'We may not talk about it much, but for special occasions, we always go back to our Gara pieces. It's part of who we are,' said a young Parsi woman from the city.
While one outfit won't create a trend overnight, Lilaowala said its global spotlight is still impactful. 'It creates interest, starts conversations. Someone abroad might read about it, follow our page, and get curious. That alone is valuable,' said Lilaowala, who is known for his experiments in Parsi Gara saris.
Today, designers like him are innovating within tradition, blending Gara with bandhani and leheriya. 'It's a classic,' he said. Once reserved for saris worn at weddings and auspicious occasions, Gara has evolved, now appearing on lehengas, jackets, and even kanjivaram silks. 'It will never be massy, but it has huge potential. It's up to designers to find the right aesthetic and continue evolving it,' he said.
Poonawalla's Met Gala appearances have been consistently bold, blending art, fashion, and identity. Known for her opulent, avant-garde looks, she's become a fixture at the annual event, and this year, she made her heritage the headline.
'It was a really smart move,' he added. 'For Natasha to use something from her heritage and add such a fine personal touch to her Met Gala outfit,' said Lilaowala.