Met Gala 2026: Fashion or heritage tampering, questions raised on Isha Ambani

Stars from all over the world were seen with their creativity and style in the glittering evening of Met Gala 2026. Strongly representing India among global celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Mukesh Ambani’s daughter Isha Ambani presented a unique confluence of not only fashion but also history and heritage this time. Isha was looking very beautiful in a stunning golden tissue silk saree designed by Gaurav Gupta, but this time her blouse attracted the most attention. The blouse was completely adorned with heavy jewels, the most striking part of which was the original Sarpech (turban brooch) of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

This rare and historic jewellery, which once adorned the turbans of the Nizams of Hyderabad, has now been given a new and bold statement by Isha by wearing it as a brooch on the back of her blouse. This sarspech taken from Nita Ambani’s personal collection was a magnificent example of emerald, diamond and kundan work. When an Indian walks in the biggest evening of global fashion with a saree and Nizami heritage, it is not just glitter but also a display of cultural pride. This time Isha Ambani succeeded in making Met Gala the platform of her legacy.

fashion or power

It has been seen many times that Nita Ambani likes to wear heritage jewelery in her big events. During Miss World 2024, she wore a very special armlet that once belonged to the Mughal emperor Shahjahan. It dates back to the 17th century and was studded with diamonds, rubies and spinel. Its price is said to be more than ₹200 crore. It is about 400 years old. It took 50 artisans and 1200 hours to prepare Isha Ambani’s look. But the question arises that how right is it for Isha Ambani to wear the Hyderabadi Nizam’s brooch on her back? To what extent is it right to adorn one’s back in the name of fashion which used to be the pride of Nizams’ heads? Many people may call it a game of power because there is nothing in the world that Ambani cannot offer. But it is also important to know the proper use of things acquired through power and money. In which Isha Ambani missed this time.

How correct is it to wear the pride of the head on the back?

Some netizens have called it an insult. One user says, ‘It’s a strange thing!! Such heritage material has been used in the blouse… poor quality. ‘One user raised a question and said, ‘I wonder how Mrs. Ambani got this brooch, because this jewelery was taken from the Nizam family by the Government of India and is displayed in different museums from time to time, so the question is, if it is genuine then how can she have it?’ It’s outrageous that she’s wearing it on her back like a bra top… Money can’t buy class. One said, ‘From the crown of the royal family to the blouse of a billionaire.’ Some people raised the question that when Diljit Dosanjh wanted to rent Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala’s ‘Cartier Patiala Necklace’ for the 2025 Met Gala, Cartier rejected the request because the necklace is now safe in a museum and cannot be given out for wearing. This necklace was made in 1928 for Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, in which 2,930 diamonds were studded. After which Diljit Dosanjh got the exact same necklace designed.

Lesson taught from this queen

If you want to explain the true meaning of power on the global stage, then this story of Queen Sita Devi is perfect. Queen Sita Devi of Baroda sold her very precious emeralds and diamonds to America’s famous jeweler Harry Winston in 1953. These precious diamonds were not in the queen’s necklace but were the pride of her anklets. Harry Winston broke and redesigned those anklets into a stunning necklace. During a party in New York in 1957, Wallis Simpson wore that necklace. When Queen Sita Devi saw that necklace, she said out loud, ‘These ornaments looked equally good on my feet too.’ Let us tell you that Wallis Simpson was the one for whom King Edward VIII had given up the British throne.

What is the meaning of brooch in Nizam?

Sarpech was the identity of a king, nawab or a great ruler. The person wearing this used to show his status, wealth and power to the world. For a rich ruler like Nizam, it was not just a jewel but a symbol of kingship. During the Mughal period and later, it was considered a great honor for the kings to gift sarpech to loyal generals, diwans or brave warriors. Putting it on the head turban was considered a great honor for bravery, victory or good work. Nizam Hyderabad had the world’s most precious diamonds (Golkonda diamonds), emeralds, pearls and rubies. His headgear was decorated with these gems. By looking at this brooch on his turban, anyone could understand how powerful and rich this person was. However, Mir Osman, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, had the world’s most expensive diamond of 184 carats. But he used it as a paperweight.