A 3D-printed hat, a robotic dog, and a hand-embroidered corset—Mona Patel’s Met Gala look was a tribute to legacy and innovation

We all remember entrepreneur, philanthropist, and tech innovator Mona Patel’s sensational debut at the 2024 Met Gala. Styled by Law Roach, she had dressed in a sculpted Iris van Herpen gown with kinetic elements, captivating fashion insiders and the internet alike. It was a bold introduction that saw couture through the lens of science and storytelling.

This year, Patel returned to the Gala with a look that was both innovative and personal. She wore a custom Thom Browne suit, featuring structured tailoring paired with fluid silk panels, an intricate corset hand-embroidered by Indian artisans, and a bold 3D-printed hat designed by Serbian artist Miodrag Gubernic. But the real twist in the outfit was her robotic dachshund, Vector—a playful nod to both Browne’s signature style and her own passion for technology.

What made her look so special, apart from the futuristic elements, was that Patel's entire ensemble was woven with a deeply personal narrative: a tribute to her father’s suits, a celebration of Black and Indian craftsmanship, and a quiet rebellion against traditional definitions of power and femininity.

In an exclusive chat with Harper’s Bazaar India, Patel reflects on the vision behind the look, the seamless fusion of fashion and technology, her tribute to Black and Indian craftsmanship, and more.

Harper’s Bazaar: You merged some incredible names—Thom Browne, MIT, and a 3D-printing artist. How did it all come together?

Mona Patel:  When that invite hit my inbox, my first instinct was: let’s make it meaningful, not just fashionable. I’ve always gravitated towards designers who tell real stories, so my first call was Dapper Dan. I always dreamed of honouring Black designers and the rich legacy of Black tailoring. It felt personal, too—my father’s suits meant everything to me growing up. The timing didn’t work out, so I had to pivot quickly. Thankfully, my dear friend Thom Browne came to the rescue.

I’ve admired his precision and poetry for years, both as a couture collector and a lifelong menswear obsessive. Thom immediately understood the vision: classic tailoring with a twist, what I like to cheekily call “couture drag.” We explored at least a dozen ideas before landing on the final look: a halter shirt, razor-sharp trousers, a dramatic tailcoat with flowing silk panels, and a sequin corset hand-embroidered in India—a bold blend of power and seduction.

HB: And then you brought tech into the mix. What sparked that fusion?

MP: The tailoring was all about honouring my father—those suits were the first symbol of power I ever knew. But the tech was my world. Enter Vector: my robotic dachshund sidekick. I’ve spent three decades immersed in healthcare and AI—studying at MIT, Harvard, and Stanford, and later leading businesses that leverage cutting-edge engineering to improve diagnostics and healthcare delivery. I’ve been lucky to work with brilliant engineers, and I couldn’t resist bringing that part of my life onto the red carpet. Thom’s tailoring brought tradition, while my little robot date brought the future.

HB: You’ve said this look was also a power statement—how so?

MP: Absolutely. I grew up equating power with masculinity—those crisp suits, those sharp lines. But fashion taught me something I didn’t realise I needed to learn: real power comes from being unapologetically yourself. This look lets me honour that classic image of strength while rewriting it through my own lens—as a woman, a business leader, and, let’s be honest, someone who loves a bit of sparkle. I like to think I proved that you don’t need to dress like a man to exude power. You just need to own your story.

HB: Did you ever imagine, growing up in India, that you’d one day bring a robotic dog to the Met Gala?

MP:  Absolutely not. Growing up in a small town in India, I was the kid hoarding imported fashion magazines, dreaming of couture but never imagining I’d ever be part of that world, let alone with a robot. But here’s the thing: I was also the kid who loved taking things apart just to see how they worked. So, in a way, eight-year-old Mona would be thrilled—her two obsessions finally came together on the red carpet.

HB: Some might think all this playfulness undermines the seriousness of your work. What’s your take?

MP: People love to put you in a box, don’t they? Fashion may be the most visible part of my life right now, but what they don’t see are the late nights spent with engineers, working on AI models for faster, less invasive diagnostics, or strategising ways to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved communities. I always say fashion is my earned hobby. Every look, every collaboration—I’ve built and backed myself. And my husband is endlessly patient with my love of couture, though I’m pretty sure he wishes my taste were a little less elaborate.

HB: You’ve blended tech and couture before—how did this year’s look evolve from that?

MP: Last year, I wore an Iris van Herpen gown complete with hand-embroidered Zardozi with kinetic sleeves that unfurled like petals—my nod to the Lotus Temple in India. This year, I flipped the formula: Thom’s team handled the traditional craftsmanship, while I brought in the tech elements to make it feel uniquely me.

HB: Any hidden details you’re especially proud of?

MP: Honestly, Vector definitely stole the show—but what most people don’t realise is how much thought went into the tiniest details. Take the hat, for example. It might look sleek and simple, but it was anything but. I had the chance to collaborate with the insanely talented Miodrag Gubernic, a costume designer, milliner, and artist from Serbia. He’s a prodigy who’s worked with Hollywood legends like Spielberg. Normally, he spends at least three months perfecting a prototype, but for me, Mio designed and 3D-printed the final version in just one week and didn’t sleep for three days straight. In the corset, every single bead and stitch was handcrafted by master artisans in India. That level of craftsmanship might not always show up in red carpet photos, but trust me—it’s there, and it means the world to me.

HB: This wasn’t your first Met Gala—what felt different this time?

MP:  Last year was magical and wild. I was the "mystery guest" who went viral overnight, something I never saw coming. This year felt different—more grounded. I knew what I wanted to say and felt like I'd truly earned my place on the carpet. I want to soak it all in, support the institute, and just enjoy the spectacle as someone who's a bit less of a mystery now.

HB: What’s next for you, on and off the red carpet?

MP:  I’m always scheming! When it comes to fashion, I’m passionate about pushing boundaries—working more with artisans and technologists to blur the line between tradition and innovation. I’m also expanding my couture collection, always looking for ways to give it purpose, like supporting causes through Couture for Cause.

On the tech side, my mission remains clear: smarter diagnostics, better care, and making healthcare as seamless as it should be for patients. Whatever I take on next, the goal is the same: create boldly and keep evolving.

HB: What do you think the audience’s reaction will be to your look?

MP: I hope people enjoy the look as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life over the past few months. It’s truly been a labour of love—a love letter to tailoring, a nod to dandyism, and a tribute to my eight-year-old self, playing dress-up in my dad’s suits in Baroda.

Above all, this is a celebration of collective genius. A vision like this wouldn’t be possible without every single person on the team contributing their talent, creativity, and brilliance. From Thom’s exceptional atelier to the artisans in India, from the engineers at MIT to Miodrag’s magic in Serbia, I wanted this look to highlight them all. Every stitch, every sensor, every bead, every 3D-printed curve is a testament to their hard work, and I couldn’t be prouder of it.

Lead image credit: Getty Images 

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