Diljit Dosanjh’s regal debut at the 2024 Met Gala turned heads and stirred a broader cultural conversation, especially around the legacy of the iconic Patiala Necklace. Dressed in an elegant ivory sherwani embroidered with a map of Punjab and Gurmukhi script, the actor-singer proudly paid homage to his heritage. His ensemble, complete with a be-jewelled turban and ceremonial sword, was inspired by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala — the original owner of the famed Patiala Necklace created by Cartier in 1928.
While Dosanjh’s look received widespread acclaim for its cultural pride and visual grandeur, controversy soon followed. His stylist, Abhilasha Devnani, revealed to The New York Times that she had requested to borrow the original Cartier Patiala Necklace for the occasion but was denied, reportedly because the piece “sits sealed in a museum.” Instead, Dosanjh wore jewellery inspired by the original, including Cartier pieces like the Panthère de Cartier watch and ring.
The decision sparked public outcry, particularly when juxtaposed with American influencer Emma Chamberlain’s 2022 Met Gala appearance, where she wore a Cartier choker believed to be part of the same Patiala Necklace. Many questioned why Chamberlain, a white American YouTuber, was permitted to wear the historic piece while Dosanjh — who shares a cultural and historical lineage with the necklace — was not.
Critics took to social media platforms like X and Instagram, accusing Cartier of cultural insensitivity and double standards. One user wrote, “So Diljit had to wear jewels inspired by the Maharaja’s Cartier collection… but Emma Chamberlain wore the original? Talk about cultural appropriation!” Another comment read, “Cartier doesn’t want to acknowledge the colonial past of this art piece. Shame on them.”
Fashion commentators such as Sufi Motiwala also joined the debate, calling out Cartier for the optics of denying access to a South Asian celebrity while previously loaning the necklace to a Western influencer. Some believe Cartier’s decision was not only logistical—given that the necklace is reportedly housed in London’s V&A Museum—but also political, as allowing Dosanjh to wear it could shift the narrative from European restoration of heritage to a post-colonial act of cultural reclamation.
The Patiala Necklace, created by Cartier in 1928 for Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, originally featured 2,930 diamonds, including the world’s seventh-largest diamond — the De Beers — and Burmese rubies. After disappearing in 1948, it was recovered decades later by Cartier but significantly diminished. It was then partially restored by the brand.
Despite the controversy, Dosanjh expressed gratitude to Cartier and collaborators like Prabal Gurung and stylist Devnani. Yet, the incident has reignited important discussions around colonial history, cultural ownership, and representation on global stages like the Met Gala.
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