Indian-American entrepreneur Mona Patel returned to the Met Gala this 12 months—and she or he did it in unforgettable type. After making waves together with her debut in 2024 carrying a futuristic butterfly gown by Iris van Herpen, Patel stepped onto the 2025 crimson carpet with a totally new look.
Indian-American entrepreneur Mona Patel returned to the Met Gala this 12 months—and she or he did it in unforgettable type. After making waves together with her debut in 2024 carrying a futuristic butterfly gown by Iris van Herpen, Patel stepped onto the 2025 crimson carpet with a totally new look. And similar to final 12 months, she didn’t maintain again.
The 2025 Met Gala theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Model,” got here with a gown code of “Tailor-made For You”—and Patel took that idea to coronary heart. She arrived in a custom-made go well with, full with a dramatic cape and corseted bodice, created by American vogue icon Thom Browne. The outcome? An ideal mixture of daring tailoring, Indian craftsmanship, and private storytelling.
Couture with a Private Twist
Whereas Browne’s sharp, basic tailoring stood out immediately, Patel’s outfit was something however extraordinary. She described it as her personal model of excessive fashion-meets-drag, saying, “I wish to name it ‘couture drag’: take all the pieces we love about razor-sharp menswear with a sprinkle of femininity.”
She defined how the look performed with opposites—there was a halter shirt subtly peeking out beneath the tailor-made layers, and a corset fantastically hand-embroidered by Indian artisans. Flowing silk panels added additional motion to the outfit, making it each highly effective and chic as she walked.
The hanging black outfit was balanced by a pop of ivory on the internal lining, giving depth and drama to the layered design. On the heart of all of it was a surprising black, beaded corset worn over the skirt, cinching her waist and including sparkle, texture, and construction to the ensemble.
Rooted in Household and Tradition
What made the look much more particular was the story behind it. Patel revealed that the outfit was impressed by her childhood and her father.
“Whereas different little women had been taking part in dress-up of their mother’s heels, I used to be in my dad’s fits—normally drowning in them, however feeling so highly effective,” she shared.
That reminiscence formed the center of her Met Gala look. Patel and Browne labored collectively to incorporate touches from her Indian background whereas nonetheless holding it fashionable and fashion-forward.
A Canine That Stole the Present
After all, no Mona Patel look can be full and not using a shock twist—and this time, it got here on 4 robotic legs. Alongside her on the crimson carpet was Vector, a robotic canine created in collaboration with builders at MIT.
The futuristic pup was dressed to impress, similar to its proprietor. “Vector” was named after Browne’s iconic dachshund, Hector—however totally robotic, tuxed-up, diamond-leashed, and able to outshine me at any second,” Patel joked.
And she or he wasn’t kidding. Vector wore a 1000-carat emerald-cut diamond leash, moved with custom-programmed patterns, and had a persona to match the night’s high-fashion power.
Glam From Head to Toe
To finish her crimson carpet look, Patel wore a pair of glowing black stilettos from Rene Caovilla, echoing the ornate element of her corset. Her make-up was delicate and chic—a tender smoky eye paired with a nude lip, hanging simply the best stability together with her old-Hollywood-style waves.
The complete look was each daring and nostalgic, a love letter to basic dandy type combined with fashionable glamour.
From Gujarat to International Trend Icon
Mona Patel’s rise as a fashion-forward entrepreneur is as inspiring as her Met Gala outfits. Born in Vadodara, Gujarat, she moved to the U.S. at age 22 to attend Rutgers College and later returned to India to complete her diploma at Gujarat College. In 2003, she settled in Dallas, Texas, and constructed a powerful profession in enterprise.
Right this moment, she’s the founding father of eight corporations throughout healthcare, tech, and actual property, price over $100 million mixed. She holds an MBA from MIT and studied at Harvard Enterprise Faculty as effectively.
Past enterprise, she’s additionally recognized for her charitable work. Her nonprofit, Couture For Trigger, blends vogue with giving again. The group raises cash for numerous causes by auctioning unique couture items—many straight from Patel’s personal closet.
A Met Gala Legend within the Making
Final 12 months, Patel’s shock debut earned her the nickname “Thriller Visitor.” Her butterfly-inspired robe trended throughout social media and made headlines each within the U.S. and India. Her Instagram bio nonetheless playfully reads, “Thriller Visitor #MET2024.”
However this 12 months, the thriller is gone—Patel has confirmed she’s right here to remain. With a novel sense of favor, highly effective private storytelling, and a robotic canine sidekick as well, Mona Patel is shortly turning into one of many Met Gala’s most talked-about regulars.
Reflecting on her newest vogue journey, Patel summed up the expertise with a smile: “3D-printed hats all over the place, wires, robotics elements. However hey, that’s the Met for you—it’s not glamorous until it’s additionally totally uninhibited.”
