Fashion is Art — Bollywood director's Met Gala cape inspired by Raja Ravi Varma
Renowned Indian filmmaker Karan Johar brought the vision of Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) to the 2026 Met Gala with a dramatic art-inspired cape (left). / View full image
Renowned Indian filmmaker Karan Johar brought the vision of pioneering Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) to this year’s Met Gala with a dramatic art-inspired cape designed by Manish Malhotra. Discover the original works behind the look currently on display in 'The God of Small Things: Faith and Popular Culture' at the Queensland Art Gallery.
The 2026 Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute's exhibition theme is 'Costume Art', exploring fashion's relationship with the body, with the Met Gala's dress code 'Fashion is Art' resulting in artistic, sculptural, and historically inspired red carpet looks.
The Bollywood director's cape was drawn from the Indian classical paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, combining vintage zardozi, and three-dimensional embroidery and features Princess Damayanti and her celestial swan.
Watch | Karan Johar chatted with Vogue about his Met Gala look
QAGOMA holds a number of oleographs — prints designed to resemble oil paintings — by Raja Ravi Varma who founded India’s first chromolithographic press in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1894. Marking the oleographs transformation into devotional objects in everyday homes, many were embellished with zardozi and other hand-applied materials such as fabric, embroidery or sequins — a practice that serves as an indication of the great love and affection in which they were held.
Zardozi, meaning ‘gold embroidery’ in Classical Persian, refers to an elaborate form of embroidery with metal embellishments. The practice employs gold and silver thread, along with coiled or flat wire, and may incorporate beads, precious stones and pearls. Zardozi reached India from West and Central Asia in the twelfth century and flourished during the Mughal era (1526–1857), becoming a prominent artform that continues today. It may be used to decorate wedding or formal wear or, as in the case of Raja Ravi Varma's oleographs, practised as an act of reverence to embellish religious imagery.
Raja Ravi Varma's oleographs with zardozi work
Raja Ravi Varma, India 1848–1906 / Ravi Varma Press / Sri Ram Janki Vilas early 20th century / Oleograph with zardozi work / 35.5 x 25.4cm / Purchased 2025 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
Raja Ravi Varma, India 1848–1906 / Ravi Varma Press / Shankar early 20th century / Oleograph with fabric and zardozi work / 50.8 x 35.5cm / Purchased 2025 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
Raja Ravi Varma, India 1848–1906 / Raja Ravi Press / Vasantasena early 20th century / Oleograph with fabric and zardosi embroidery / 50.8 x 35.5cm / Purchased 2024 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
Raja Ravi Varma, India 1848–1906 / Ravi Varma Press / Hans V Damyanti early 20th century / Oleograph with fabric and zardosi embroidery / 50.8 x 35.5cm / Purchased 2024 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
The God of Small Things: Faith and Popular Culture
20 September 2025 – 5 October 2026
Queensland Art Gallery
Gallery 5 & 6 (Henry and Amanda Bartlett Galleries)
Brisbane, Australia
Free entry