Commanding the red carpet with regality and resonance, Emmy nominated actress and Grammy-winning vocalist Coco Jones made her 2025 MET Gala debut wearing a singular couture statement by Manish Malhotra.
Manish Malhotra brings his visionary “pearl story” a creation that
honours heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary
storytelling through dress. In response to this year’s theme, “The Tailored Lens: Black Style as Self Expression” the custom ensemble is not merely worn, it is embodied. It stands at the intersection of memory and modernity, a collaboration between artist and couturier that reflects the evolving language of identity, resistance and power.
For Coco Jones, whose own career traces a journey of voice, presence and transformation, Malhotra envisioned a garment that would speak volumes without uttering a word. Her bespoke Manish Malhotra ensemble is a majestic reimagination of the zoot suit, the archetype of sartorial rebellion in 1930s Harlem but with a twist. A symbol of protest, flamboyance and agency, the zoot suit has been reinterpreted by Malhotra with reverence and innovation. His version is a renaissance, infused with intricate Indian craftsmanship, tailored mastery and symbolic depth. 
The look features a precisely cut, plunging satin blouse with a fluid
neckline, contrasted by sharply tailored pearl and Swarovski embellished trousers inspired by masculine codes of dressing. Draped over this is a sweeping jacket cape, architectural and entirely hand embroidered over six months by artisans under Malhotra’s artistic direction. Laser cut organza is interlaced with heirloom French lace, set with over 200,000 Swarovski crystals and pearls. Every embellishment is intentional, every shimmer a statement, not of opulence, but of identity.
Coco adorned herself with an extraordinary Manish Malhotra High Jewellery creation: a breathtaking Tanzanite and Diamond necklace. The centrepiece is a striking 20.05 carat Tanzanite, surrounded by a harmonious composition of over 47.3 carats of Tanzanites and over 47.6 carats of Diamonds. The necklace, sculpted with the same precision and poetry as her ensemble, adds a final exclamation to the narrative: bold yet elegant, powerful yet deeply personal.
The ensemble’s embroidery is drawn from India’s Flora and Fauna Pearl
Story, a narrative close to Malhotra’s heart and heritage. It evokes nature as memory, movement and mythology, delicate vines, and birds in flight that recall the quiet grandeur of the subcontinent. Each motif is an ode to ecological intimacy and the emotional depth of hand embroidery.
This creation also reflects Malhotra’s deep interest in the philosophy of
dandyism, where dressing becomes declaration. Stylised khadi, fluid silks and layered patchwork come together in a tapestry that confronts and redefines tradition, masculinity and elegance.
READ MORE: Manish Malhotra Makes His Met Gala Debut With a Masterful Ode To Haritage, Power and Presence
