Category: Fit & Fabulous

Fit & Fabulous

Met Gala 2026: When Fashion Becomes Art

Tanisha Cardozo

One of the most anticipated fashion events in the world, the Met Gala, is all set to return on May 4, 2026, continuing its tradition of taking place on the first Monday of May. Known for its spectacle, exclusivity, and unmatched influence on global fashion, the event once again promises to capture worldwide attention with a theme that is as thought-provoking as it is expansive—‘Fashion is Art.’

The theme was officially announced by Vogue on February 23, sparking immediate excitement among fashion enthusiasts, designers, and pop culture followers. Unlike previous years, where themes offered more structured creative direction, this year’s concept is notably open-ended, inviting a broader spectrum of interpretation. By declaring fashion as art, the theme encourages celebrities and designers to push beyond conventional boundaries and embrace clothing as a form of artistic storytelling.

The inspiration behind this year’s dress code lies in the Costume Institute’s spring 2026 exhibition titled ‘Costume Art.’ According to the official description, the exhibition explores representations of the dressed body across The Met’s vast collection, pairing garments with artworks to highlight the intrinsic relationship between clothing and the human form. Spanning Western art from ancient history to contemporary times, the showcase delves into how fashion intersects with politics, identity, symbolism, and personal expression.

This layered and intellectual foundation sets the stage for what could be one of the most visually diverse Met Galas in recent memory. With ‘Fashion is Art’ as the guiding idea, the red carpet is expected to transform into a living gallery of creativity. Designers may draw inspiration from classical paintings, sculptures, and historical fashion, while also incorporating futuristic elements and avant-garde techniques. The result is likely to be a compelling mix of tradition and innovation, where each outfit tells a unique story.

In contrast to recent themes such as ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ in 2025, ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’ in 2024, and ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’ in 2023, which offered more specific frameworks, this year’s theme provides a wide creative canvas. While that freedom opens doors for groundbreaking interpretations, it also presents a challenge—standing out in a space where anything is possible requires true originality and vision.

Adding to the excitement is the announcement of this year’s co-chairs, a powerful trio representing music, film, and sports. Beyoncé, one of the most influential artists of her generation, brings her signature blend of artistry and cultural impact. Nicole Kidman, known for her elegance and cinematic legacy, adds a touch of classic sophistication. Meanwhile, Venus Williams introduces a dynamic edge, symbolizing strength, individuality, and style beyond traditional fashion circles.

As co-chairs, their role goes beyond representation—they help shape the vision of the event, contribute to curating the guest list, and play a key role in promoting the theme. Their combined influence is expected to elevate the event’s global appeal and inspire memorable fashion moments.

With anticipation already building, fashion enthusiasts and viewers worldwide are preparing for a night that celebrates creativity in its purest form. The Met Gala 2026 is not just about what celebrities wear—it’s about how they interpret, challenge, and redefine the very idea of fashion as art.

Fit & Fabulous

Royal Elegance Meets Modern Romance: Inside Shikhar Dhawan & Sophie Shine’s Wedding Style

Tanisha Cardozo

It’s official—Shikhar Dhawan has stepped into a new innings, this time off the field. The star cricketer married Sophie Shine on February 21 in a dreamy, intimate ceremony in Delhi NCR, surrounded by close friends and family. While the couple has kept things relatively private so far, glimpses from the celebration—shared by fellow cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal—have already sent fans into a frenzy.

And honestly, it’s not hard to see why. This wasn’t just a wedding—it was a masterclass in understated elegance and modern bridal fashion.

Sophie Shine made a striking statement by moving away from the conventional reds and pinks typically associated with Indian bridal wear. Instead, she embraced an ethereal ivory lehenga adorned with delicate floral motifs in soft coral, peach, and sage green tones. The entire look felt like a blooming garden—romantic, fresh, and quietly luxurious. Her blouse added another layer of uniqueness, featuring a high neckline and long sleeves embellished with cascading pearl strands that doubled as jewellery, giving her ensemble a vintage yet contemporary appeal.

What truly elevated her look, though, was the seamless blend of cultures. Traditional mehndi and a maang tikka met soft, dewy makeup and flowing blonde waves, creating a balance that felt both global and deeply rooted. It’s the kind of bridal styling that speaks to a new generation—one that values individuality as much as tradition.

On the other side, Dhawan stayed true to his signature charisma but dialled it into a refined, regal aesthetic. His white-on-white sherwani featured subtle tonal embroidery that added depth without overpowering the outfit. The silhouette was sharp, tailored, and unmistakably modern, yet carried a classic “Maharaja” vibe.

The standout detail? A layered emerald mala that introduced a rich pop of colour against the ivory base, instantly elevating the entire look. Paired with a traditional safa adorned with a jewelled kalgi, Dhawan’s ensemble struck the perfect balance between royal heritage and contemporary minimalism.

Together, the couple’s fashion choices told a story—one of harmony between tradition and modernity, simplicity and statement. It’s a reminder that weddings today are as much about personal expression as they are about rituals.

Beyond the fashion, the union itself has captured attention. Dhawan, fondly known as the “Gabbar of Indian Cricket,” has long been celebrated for his aggressive batting style and infectious energy on and off the field. Sophie Shine, on the other hand, brings her own dynamic presence as a professional and entrepreneur, with a keen eye for style and a growing influence in philanthropic spaces.

As their journey begins, this wedding isn’t just being remembered for its beauty—but for how effortlessly it redefined elegance. And if these first glimpses are anything to go by, Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine have already set a new benchmark—not just for celebrity weddings, but for modern love stories.

Fit & Fabulous

Priyanka Chopra Reinvents Red-Carpet Style with Pirate-Core Glam

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Priyanka Chopra has once again proven why she is considered India’s global fashion icon. The actress recently stepped out for the promotional tour of her upcoming action film, transforming the red carpet into a pirate-core runway with three stunning ensembles.
Her first look featured the elegant Datt Tidal Gown, inspired by sea elements. The off-shoulder white gown showcased delicate lace detailing and soft tidal patterns that reflected beachside aesthetics. Feminine and graceful, the outfit was priced at Rs 69,132 and styled with gold hoop earrings and a statement ring, keeping the look minimal yet impactful.
For another appearance, Priyanka embraced modern glamour in a structured white gown featuring bold cut-outs and a thigh-high slit. The silhouette highlighted sophistication while maintaining the dramatic pirate-core theme through its fluid design and confident styling.


The final look made the biggest statement — an electric blue sheer gown from Altuzarra’s Fall/Winter 2025 couture collection. The outfit featured a structured top with a prominent bow neckline, paired with a completely see-through skirt that added a bold, edgy appeal. She elevated the look with a Judith Leiber Bali Parrot Clutch and Christian Louboutin Hot Chick Pumps in burnt copper tones.
With corsets, sheer silhouettes, dramatic textures, and statement accessories, Priyanka Chopra once again demonstrated how theatrical fashion storytelling can redefine celebrity style. In an era where red-carpet looks often feel predictable, she continues to push boundaries and command attention with confidence and elegance.

Fit & Fabulous

Designer Kate Barton Teams Up with IBM and Fiducia AI for Immersive NYFW Presentation

Tanisha Cardozo

At New York Fashion Week, designer Kate Barton unveiled her latest collection with an innovative twist, merging high fashion with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. In collaboration with Fiducia AI and IBM, Barton introduced a multilingual AI agent built with IBM watsonx on IBM Cloud, offering guests an interactive and immersive runway experience.

The activation allows attendees to identify pieces from the collection in real time using a Visual AI lens powered by IBM watsonx. Beyond recognition, the tool answers questions in multiple languages via voice and text and enables photorealistic virtual try-ons, effectively creating what Barton describes as “a portal into the collection’s world” rather than deploying artificial intelligence for novelty alone.

Speaking ahead of the show in an interview with TechCrunch, Barton emphasised that technology has long been part of her creative thinking. She expressed interest in blending the real and the unreal to spark curiosity, explaining that today’s technology expands the world around the clothes and shapes how audiences enter the story behind a collection. For her, the objective was not automation but deeper engagement — creating moments that make viewers pause and look twice.

Ganesh Harinath, Founder and CEO of Fiducia AI, explained that the activation relied on IBM watsonx, IBM Cloud and IBM Cloud Object Storage. He noted that while model tuning was complex, the real challenge lay in orchestrating the system into a seamless, production-grade experience. The collaboration marks Barton’s continued experimentation with AI, following earlier technological integrations in past collections.

The broader fashion industry remains cautiously curious about artificial intelligence. Barton observed that many brands are quietly using AI in operational capacities but hesitate to showcase it publicly due to reputational concerns. She compared the hesitation to the early days of e-commerce, when luxury houses debated whether they should even launch websites — a question that later evolved into how effectively they used them.

Industry voices suggest that while AI adoption is growing, much of its current use remains surface-level, such as chatbots or internal productivity tools. Barton, however, envisions a future where AI enhances prototyping, visualisation and production decisions, while preserving the human craftsmanship that defines fashion. She has made it clear that technology must elevate, not erase, the people behind the work.

According to industry projections shared during the conversation, AI in fashion could become mainstream by 2028, with deeper operational integration by 2030. Leaders within IBM Consulting highlighted how connecting inspiration, product intelligence and real-time engagement can transform AI from a novelty feature into a strategic growth engine.

Yet for Barton, the ultimate goal remains clear. The future of fashion, she argues, is not automated fashion. It is fashion that embraces new tools to heighten craft, deepen storytelling and broaden access — without diminishing the human creativity that makes garments meaningful. At NYFW, that vision stepped confidently onto the runway, offering a glimpse of how art and algorithm might coexist in the next chapter of design.

Fit & Fabulous

Godrej Professional Expert Highlights Brown as Top Hair Colour Trend This Valentine’s Day

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

In a season traditionally dominated by heart motifs and predictable beauty narratives, the most romantic hair colour might come as a surprise. It’s brown — layered, nuanced and quietly captivating in its charm. According to Shailesh Moolya, National Technical Head at Godrej Professional, romance this Valentine’s Day is wearing brown.


The appeal of brown lies in its authenticity. Shades such as roasted almond, hot chocolate and butterscotch blonde strike a delicate balance between warmth and sophistication. Rather than demanding attention, these hues invite it. For both salon professionals and consumers, brown’s versatility is unmatched — it flatters a wide range of Indian skin tones, adapts seamlessly across lighting conditions and ages gracefully as hair grows.

From a technical standpoint, brown is where craftsmanship truly shines. Unlike extreme or high-lift colours, brown relies heavily on precision and balance. Undertones play a crucial role — a roasted almond brown with subtle golden warmth can soften facial features, while a deeper hot chocolate shade adds richness and depth without appearing heavy. Butterscotch blonde, when executed correctly, brightens the look while maintaining natural movement.

There is also a science-backed reason brown shades appear healthier. Multi-dimensional browns reflect light more evenly, creating the illusion of enhanced shine and smoother texture. Colours closer to natural melanin tones preserve visual density better than lighter shades, making hair appear fuller and more resilient. The result is colour that looks luxurious rather than over-processed.

Culturally, brown aligns seamlessly with the evolving definition of romance. Modern Valentine’s moments are increasingly about quiet connections — coffee dates, intimate dinners and everyday closeness — rather than grand gestures. These subtle tones mirror that shift, offering confidence without being performative and sensuality without excess.

Brown also offers endless personalisation opportunities through techniques like glossing, lowlighting and soft contouring. Each service enhances the look while remaining wearable, allowing individuals to elevate their appearance without changing who they are.

This Valentine’s Day, brown reflects how romance is evolving — softer, more personal and rooted in authenticity. In the language of hair colour, brown embodies warmth, confidence and quiet luxury, leaving a lasting impression without ever trying too hard.