Isha Ambani's Met Gala 2024 saree gown designed by Rahul Mishra took 10,000 hours to craft, watch video

Crafting the saree-gown was an immense endeavor, spanning more than 10,000 hours. Skilled artisans from different Indian villages painstakingly handcrafted it.

Isha Ambani made a stunning appearance at the Met Gala 2024, dazzling in a custom-made saree-gown by designer Rahul Mishra. This exquisite piece, named 'River of Life,' captivated everyone with its intricate details and profound symbolism, embodying the themes of life's resilience and hope.

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The creation process of the saree-gown was a monumental task, taking over 10,000 hours to complete. It was meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans from across various Indian villages, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship and dedication involved in its making. The garment itself was a floral fantasy, featuring a breathtaking ensemble with a long train adorned with delicate floral motifs, butterflies, and dragonflies.

This ensemble represented the continuous cycle of creation and destruction, symbolized as the 'Garden of Time.' It captured the essence of nature’s lifecycle, emphasizing the beauty of growth, bloom, and decay. The detailed embroidery included a variety of flowers in their individual cycles of sprouting, blooming, and finally, decay, laid out to narrate a story of perpetual renewal and the transient beauty of life.

Rahul Mishra's design philosophy for this piece focused on highlighting the specific quality of evolution that tends to nurture what is to come, making it a metaphor for resilience and hope. This narrative was further enriched by the use of diverse materials and embroidery techniques, such as rhinestones, sequins, beads, zari, kundan, and more. These elements were applied using various ancient Indian techniques of embroidery, including fareesha, zardozi, nakshi, dabka, and French knots, among others.

This garment was not just a fashion statement but also an ode to Indian craftsmanship. By employing hundreds of craftsmen, the project also provided employment and empowered numerous artisans, emphasizing the social impact of high fashion.

Isha Ambani’s attire at the Met Gala not only captivated the global audience but also highlighted the rich heritage and artistry of Indian fashion on a prestigious international platform. This event and Isha's choice of attire reaffirmed the significance of cultural heritage and the power of traditional craftsmanship in the contemporary fashion world.