Latest news with #CostumeInstituteBenefit
Mint
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
How to cinch it with a cummerbund like Shah Rukh Khan
Besides a variety of hats and walking sticks, the accessory that stood out at this year's Met Gala, or the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit, was the cummerbund. From Shah Rukh Khan, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Adrien Brody to Law Roach and Nick Jonas, many male celebrities sported the wide sash worn across the waist and hips in contrasting colours and prints, trying to match the 2025 theme of 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style". Female stars, too, added the cummerbund—classically designed to flatten and smoothen the portion where the trousers meet the shirt—to their sharply tailored suits and suit-like dresses. The actor who stood out was Mindy Kaling in a custom Harbison Studios suit, with a satin white tie and red and blue embellishments, and a cummerbund doubling as a train. Also read: Are ballet flats the 'it' shoes of 2025? Long before the cummerbund (originating from the Urdu term kamarband, meaning 'waistband", sashes worn around the waist in India) became a decorative piece, it was part of the army officer's uniform during British Raj as a more comfortable alternative to the waistcoat. While it's hard to zero in on the cummerbund's origins, it was part of the clothing culture in the Ottoman Empire, Crete and Nepal. Over the years, the fashion conscious have fallen in and out of love with this accessory, once considered an integral part of the black-tie dress code. Designer brands like Saint Laurent have wrapped it like the Japanese obi. Giorgio Armani has pleated it like an accordion—just the way Shah Rukh Khan wore it as part of his Sabyasachi ensemble. Givenchy added a zip to make it more streetwear-friendly. The Met Gala, though, put the spotlight on the cummerbund, making it, what menswear designer Sandeep Gonsalves, calls the 'statement piece" of the year. 'It is the ultimate finishing touch that brings polish, proportion and personality to formal wear," says Gonsalves, the co-founder of the label Sarah and Sandeep. 'The key is fit and simplicity." The beauty of a cummerbund is that it can be worn by anyone, irrespective of their shape, size and gender and offers a defined silhouette that blurs the lines between masculinity and femininity. But you need to keep a few things in mind in case you're planning to make wear a cummerbund. Also read: Met Gala 2025: Shahrukh Khan and Diljit Dosanjh make dandyism personal For starters, a cummerbund should sit high on the natural waist and cover the trouser band cleanly. To illustrate, consider Madonna's androgynous look at the Met Gala. While her ivory Tom Ford suit, complete with tailored trousers, a matching snug blazer, and a crisp white button-down shirt, seemed on point with the theme, her cummerbund didn't cover the pants band fully, making the whole look a bit uneven. Another big no-no is a cummerbund with a belt, and slipping below the shirt line. The ideal width of a cummerbund is 5-6 inches, depending on one's body type. The choice of fabric plays a crucial role as well. Opt for a classic silk satin or grosgrain for tuxedos; velvet or fine wool can be a great option for seasonal or textured looks. Indie brands like Cord Studio have cummerbund-style leather or denim belts, which are perfect for casual/officewear. 'For slimmer frames, a broader band adds drama," says Gonsalves. 'For broader waists, a custom-tailored fit helps smooth and streamline. Women can wear it like a structured sash or corset, paired with sharp tailoring." For petite individuals, wearing it slightly higher on the waist in monochromatic tones can help elongate the frame. 'The taller bunch can play with contrasting colours, textured fabrics, and wider bands," suggests Priyanka Kathuria, a fashion curator and co-founder of wardrobe consultancy Altique. 'It's a versatile accessory and can be worn over shirts, skirts, and blazers. If you want to make it part of a streetwear-style outfit, pair it with high-waisted pants and tucked-in tee or oversized shirts." That's the other reason for the growing fondness for cummerbunds. Fast-fashion brands like Zara and H&M are experimenting with its shape, offering garments such as denim long A-line skirts and a pair of jeans with cummerbund-style band, helping create a formal-meets-casual look. It's a great example of how a simple, old-school formal wear accessory can make you look effortlessly cool. 'A cummerbund is a unique accessory because it can accentuate proportion in smaller waists, and in broader waists," says fashion stylist Vikram Seth. 'It's a clever styling tool, snatching the waist, elongating the torso, and adding drama without shouting." Also read: Can the corset be the new shirt? Manish Mishra is a Delhi-based writer and content creator.
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Met Gala: A global runway, a cultural mirror, and Bharat's tryst with the blue carpet
Every year, on the first Monday of May, the grand marble steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City transform into a theatrical runway of fashion, fantasy, and fame. The Met Gala, the world's most-watched fashion fundraising event, is known for its extravagant costumes. It provides an opportunity for representatives from different countries to showcase their rich art, fashion, and cultural narratives. For Bharat—a civilization steeped in unique design sensibilities—the Met Gala offers both a stage and a question: Can we use this global platform to showcase our Bharatiya culture? Origins of the Met Gala The Met Gala, officially called the Costume Institute Benefit, was inaugurated in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert. Initially a modest affair, it was conceptualized as a fundraiser for the newly founded Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Under the leadership of Vogue's formidable editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, from 1995 onwards, the Gala transformed into a global spectacle of celebrity glamour and fashion artistry. Wintour's vision turned the event into an annual theme-based pageant that fuses haute couture with cultural commentary. Understanding the Themes Each year, the Met Gala is anchored around a theme that coincides with the Costume Institute's annual exhibition. Themes such as Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination (2018), Camp: Notes on Fashion (2019), and In America: A Lexicon of Fashion (2021) have allowed designers to explore diverse narratives—from religion to satire, national identity to futuristic imagination. While the themes pose aesthetic challenges, they are also invitations to reinterpret, provoke, or pay homage to cultural ideas through the medium of fabric and design. Celebrities from Bharat at the Met: A Cultural Bridge? Celebrities from Bharat began making a serious mark on the Met Gala carpet in the last decade, signaling the country's growing soft power. From Priyanka Chopra Jonas to Deepika Padukone, and more recently Alia Bhatt, Natasha Poonawalla, and Isha Ambani, icons from Bharat are now regulars on this prestigious carpet. But why to participate? Firstly, the Met Gala offers unmatched global visibility. Celebrities attending the event make headlines not only in fashion media but also in cultural and political commentary. For stars from Bharat, it's a way to break through the Western pop culture barrier, claim visibility, and shape their global brand. Secondly, it is an opportunity to represent the fashion and craftsmanship heritage of Bharat. Whether through embroidery, draping, or jewelry, Bharat's design sensibilities are among the richest in the world. The Met Gala can be an ideal stage for showcasing this. Is the Bharatiya Craftsmanship represented? The Met Gala, originally a fundraiser for New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, has evolved into a global cultural event. The 2025 theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, celebrated Black fashion heritage and identity, featuring over 250 iconic pieces. While there was a significant rise in participation from Bharat—with Shah Rukh Khan, Kiara Advani, Diljit Dosanjh, and Isha Ambani showcasing style—it was still a poor representation of the country's craftsmanship and heritage on such a global platform. The Gala does not provide tangible benefits for Bharat, but it remains an opportunity to promote our intangible heritage. Most of the time, the only designers from Bharat seen on global platforms are Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra. There is almost no spotlight on indigenous textiles, embroidery, fashion, and heritage. A notable exception at the recent Met Gala was the costume worn by Punjabi hitmaker Diljit Dosanjh, which paid homage to the Maharaja of Patiala—an embodiment of royal Bharatiya splendor. Another unnoted contribution from Bharat was the white base carpet beneath the blue carpet. It was woven by Extraweave, the parent company of Neytt, a luxury home furnishings brand based in Cherthala, Alappuzha, Kerala. The carpet was shipped in 57 rolls (each four metres by 30 metres), covering a total area of 6,840 square metres. It took 480 people over 90 days to complete the work to Met Gala standards. For the employees of this Cherthala-based brand, it was a moment of pride. 'A lot of care and effort have gone into the carpet. The entire team, across departments, worked together to create this beautiful piece of art,' said Sivan Santhosh, Director of Extraweave and CEO of Neytt. Although it was hand-painted by artists in New York, the white base carpet was woven from natural sisal fibre imported from Madagascar. Why It Matters ? l Global Attention: Handlooms and craftsmanship from Bharat get worldwide recognition. l Cultural Diplomacy: Celebrities become ambassadors of Bharatiya textile heritage. l Sustainability: Traditional weaving aligns with the global shift to ethical fashion. l Economic Upliftment: Promotes rural artisans and endangered crafts. Challenges l The Gala doesn't directly promote causes of Bharat unless efforts are intentional. l Western institutions rarely reciprocate by showcasing culture of Bharat. l Participation is often driven by personal branding, not cultural advocacy. Recommendations l Celebrities from Bharat should deliberately feature heritage weaves and craft narratives. l Government and cultural bodies can push for Bharat-themed exhibitions at global museums. l Collaborations with artisan clusters and textile councils can ensure authentic representation. (The writer is an Expert, Creative Economy)
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Met Gala 2025 Posts Blockbuster Livestream Numbers: 1.2 Billion Global Views
Talk about superfine. This year's Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit — known colloquially as the Met Gala — saw explosive growth in viewership across platforms in 2025. As of Wednesday evening, Variety can report that Met Gala videos native to Vogue's website and YouTube channel have garnered 1.2 billion global views. Each year, the event draws big names in fashion, music and Hollywood to support the Costume Institute and gift social media platforms with days of style discourse. More from Variety See Inside the Pages of 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' the Companion Book for This Year's Met Gala Rihanna Is Pregnant With Third Child, Reveals Baby Bump at Met Gala Colman Domingo's Stylists on His Met Gala Look, Mood Boarding on Pinterest and Dandysim: 'It's Our Culture, Our Heritage, Black Excellence' The May 5 event's night-of audience grew 109% compared to 2024. The total 1.2 billion figure accounts for replays of some of the Met's best looks – rocked by Zendaya, Teyana Taylor, Colman Domingo and Zoe Saldana – and represents a 10% worldwide and 23% domestic boost for audience, year-over-year. 184 million minutes of the gala have been viewed on YouTube. Vogue and its iconic editor Anna Wintour have long been guardians of the gala, this year centered around the exhibition 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.' Author Monica L. Miller ('Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity') served as guest curator alongside Met mainstay Andrew Bolton. Wintour's co-chairs for the gala this year included Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, Variety cover star A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and honorary chair LeBron James. A celebration of Black dandyism, the exhibit was expressed in 12 distinct sections seen as defying a dandy: ownership, presence, disguise, freedom and old fashioned cool among them. In addition to gala co-chairs, many notable show business types populate the Met's host committee. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, Chappell Roan, Nicole Kidman, Jeremy Allen White, Chance the Rapper, Sabrina Carpenter, Cynthia Erivo, Walton Goggins, Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Shaboozy, Anna Sawai, Donatella Versace and Tom Ford were all counted this year. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Met Gala 2025: Andrew Garfield & Monica Barbaro Fuel Dating Rumors With Hug
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways While Andrew Garfield might have skipped the Met Gala 2025, he made sure to show support for his rumored girlfriend Monica Barbaro on fashion's biggest night. After recently being caught on video waiting for her, he reignited rumors that the pair is dating. Although the actors have yet to confirm their romance, they have been spotted out and about together on multiple occasions since earlier this year. Andrew Garfield waits for rumored girlfriend Monica Barbaro after Met Gala in video Rumors about Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro dating have been making the rounds, and their cute little meetup after the Met Gala has added fuel to them. In a TikTok video shared by Cosmopolitan, the actor could be seen waiting for his rumored girlfriend. He was peering over others to spot her in the crowd, flashing a smile when they finally met. In the clip, the stars shared a hug, with Barbaro leading Garfield away from the camera right after. The video was filmed at The Mark Hotel, where the pair got together after the Costume Institute Benefit was over. While Barbaro was dressed to impress in a Dior piece, her alleged boyfriend kept it casual. He wore a graphic tee and button-up shirt, which the actor paired with a pair of slacks. Fans couldn't help but gush over the supposed couple, with an X (formerly Twitter) user exclaiming, 'They're very cute.' Another post praised Garfield for being the 'most supportive boyfriend.' Many also pointed out that the duo is 'goals.' Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro's dating rumors were confirmed by an anonymous source earlier this year. The insider told PEOPLE that the couple is keeping it 'really lowkey and have been spending time together quietly.' However, the actors' representatives haven't confirmed the speculations as of yet. Garfield has previously said that he has no plans to keep the world in the loop about his private life. He told Esquire, 'I have never, and I won't ever, speak about or confirm or deny anything about my personal life with anyone, ever.' Originally reported by Namrata Padhee on Reality Tea. The post Met Gala 2025: Andrew Garfield & Monica Barbaro Fuel Dating Rumors With Hug appeared first on Mandatory.
Economic Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Who paid $75,000 for Kamala Harris's Met Gala ticket? Mystery deepens as she becomes the talk of the town
Kamala Harris at the 2025 Met Gala, wearing a custom black-and-white Off-White gown by IB Kamara, embracing the theme "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. Synopsis Kamala Harris made a stunning debut at the 2025 Met Gala, stepping into the spotlight in a custom black-and-white Off-White gown by IB Kamara. The gown, featuring bold colorblocking and a dramatic sleeve, aligned with the event's theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," celebrating Black dandyism and the role of fashion in shaping Black identity. Accompanied by her husband, Doug Emhoff, Harris's appearance has sparked speculation about her potential political future, with discussions about bids for California governor in 2026 or a 2028 presidential run. Her attendance at the gala has drawn both praise for her fashion choice and criticism over the use of taxpayer-funded security for personal leisure activities. Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprising appearance at the 2025 Met Gala in New York City, sparking widespread speculation about who funded her $75,000 ticket. The Met Gala, officially known as the Costume Institute Benefit, is an exclusive fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, with tickets priced at $75,000 per person and tables starting at $350,000 . ADVERTISEMENT While it's not publicly disclosed who exactly paid for Harris's ticket, it's common for celebrities to attend the Met Gala as guests of fashion brands or designers. These brands often sponsor tables and invite high-profile individuals to showcase their designs and gain exposure at the event . Given Harris's prominent public profile, it's plausible that a fashion house extended an invitation for her to attend as their guest. At the 2025 Met Gala, Harris donned a custom black-and-white silk gown by Off-White creative director IB Kamara. The gown featured a dramatic asymmetrical design, aligning with the event's theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." She was accompanied by her husband, former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who wore a Brunello Cucinelli tuxedo . blockquote class="twitter-tweet"p lang="en" dir="ltr"Kamala Harris looks absolutely marvelous at the Met a href=" Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) a href=" 6, 2025/a/blockquote script async src=" charset="utf-8"/script The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event held on the first Monday in May to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Hosted by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, the event is known for its exclusivity, with tickets priced at $75,000 per person and tables starting at $350,000 . Attendance is strictly by invitation, and guests are required to adhere to a themed dress code, a no-phone policy, and other stringent rules . Harris's attendance at the Met Gala has fueled speculation about her potential political future. Reports suggest she is considering bids for California governor in 2026 or a 2028 presidential run, with polling showing her as a front-runner in both races . Her appearance at the gala, following a public outing with Emhoff at NYC's Polo Bar, has drawn criticism over the use of taxpayer-funded security for personal leisure activities . Harris's Met Gala debut has sparked a range of reactions. While some praised her for her fashion choice, others criticized her appearance as out of touch with everyday Americans. Her critics argue that such displays contribute to a perception of disconnect between Democrats and the public, citing it as a factor in the party's previous electoral losses. ADVERTISEMENT FAQs: Who funded Kamala Harris's $75,000 Met Gala ticket? The identity of the sponsor remains unconfirmed, but it's common for celebrities to attend the Met Gala as guests of fashion brands or designers. What did Kamala Harris wear to the 2025 Met Gala? Harris wore a custom black-and-white silk gown by Off-White creative director IB Kamara, featuring a dramatic asymmetrical design. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
