Inside Sabyasachi's grand Diwali celebration at New York's iconic Met Museum

Lehengas, sarees, Indian craftsmanship and festive spirit took over New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art as Sabyasachi Mukherjee hosted a grand Diwali gathering on October 22.Rani Mukerji and Masaba Gupta attended designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's Diwali gathering at New York's The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Photos: Instagram: Kal Penn, Sabina Vohra-Miller and Sabyasachi Official)New Delhi,Oct 23, 2026 13:29 ISTDiwali is right here! While the festive spirit is already palpable across Indian cities, fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee brought a taste of the celebrations to New York City too. And that too, at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yes, if you are wondering, it is the very venue that hosts the annual fashion extravaganza, the Met Gala.Sabyasachi, who recently returned to New York Fashion Week after nearly two decades and now has an expansive flagship store in the city, hosted a grand Diwali gathering at The Met. The celebration brought Indian festive traditions to one of New York’s most iconic cultural landmarks, and definitely put a prominent gaze on India’s growing engagement in the world of luxury as well.Joining him at the bash were actor Rani Mukerji, designer Masaba Gupta, entrepreneur Anjula Acharia and actor Kal Penn, among others. Sabyasachi Mukherjee with Rani Mukerji and Kal Penn at the Diwali party he hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (Photo: Instagram/KalPenn) Rani, who is more like a family to the designer, turned up looking elegant in a satin saree with a sleeveless blouse. Her oversized glasses and a sparkling silver bag completed the look. Masaba, on the other hand, looked stunning in a white corset paired with a draped skirt-cum-saree featuring a striking red border (an ode to the traditional Bengali laal paar shada saree, perhaps?). She completed the look with a maroon Sabyasachi bag and a multi-hued necklace, adding a touch of colour to the ensemble. Designer Masaba Gupta (in centre) with guests at Sabyasachi's Diwali party. (Photo: Instagram/unambiguousscience) The designer himself, meanwhile, opted for a black bandhgala paired with white trousers, adding a playful pop of colour with bright pink socks peeking out from beneath his black shoes. Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee with the guests. Gorgeous lehengas, sarees and the designer’s signature embellished long jackets were all part of the fashion mix, with guests sporting Sabyasachi creations for the Diwali bash.The evening was not without a picturesque grazing table that was as much a feast for the eyes as it was for the palate. Dramatic floral arrangements, cascading pomegranates and an abundant spread of fresh produce came together in a lush, garden-inspired installation. Rich reds, deep greens and earthy hues lent the setup an opulent, festive feel. A glimpse of the decor. A lifelike peacock was also part of the decor, looking so realistic that it was hard to believe it was an installation. Well, just Sabyasachi things we would say.And while Sabyasachi’s Diwali gathering has certainly put the spotlight on the festival at The Met, this isn’t the first time the museum has celebrated Diwali. It has hosted public festivities in the past, including a 2014 programme that drew over 800 people and a family-oriented celebration in 2015. This time, however, it was Sabyasachi who brought his signature blend of Indian craftsmanship, fashion and festive grandeur to the iconic New York landmark.- Ends