Our City On The World Stage: When the Met Gala red carpet rolled out in New York on May 5, Hyderabad walked it. Sudha Reddy, director of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) and chairperson of the Sudha Reddy Foundation, returned to fashion’s biggest night — and she brought her city with her.
A Humble Beginning, A Billionaire’s Journey: Born in Vuyyuru, Andhra Pradesh, Sudha grew up in a modest family — her father worked at the State Bank of India and her grandparents tilled the land. Today, she graces the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hyderabad has always known how to turn quiet ambition into something extraordinary.
The Look That Took 3,459 Hours: Her custom Manish Malhotra couture ensemble, “The Tree of Life,” drew from Kalamkari — an Indian textile tradition stretching back roughly 3,000 years — and connected the evening’s “Costume Art” theme to Hyderabad and Telangana, Reddy’s home region. Every stitch was a love letter to the Deccan.
Ninety Hands, One Vision: The outfit was created over 3,459 hours by more than 90 artisans, weaving together zardozi, marodi and resham embroidery on royal blue velvet, silk and tulle. At the centre is the Kalpavriksha, a mythical wish-granting tree — placed as the main design element. A Hyderabadi dream, stitched stitch by stitch.
Telangana’s Soul, Embroidered In Gold: Malhotra folded in regional references — the Palapitta, or Indian Roller; Jammi Chettu; Tangedu; Kalpavriksha; Surya and Chandra — while peacock motifs spread across the train. Anyone from Hyderabad would recognise the Bathukamma spirit woven quietly into every motif.
Rs 125 Crore Around Her Neck: She wore a necklace from her personal collection valued at more than $15 million, with the “Queen of Merelani” — a 550-carat deep violet-blue tanzanite from Tanzania’s Merelani Hills — set as the pendant. Jubilee Hills, it seems, travels well.
A Philanthropist Who Gives Back Home: Through the Sudha Reddy Foundation, she partnered with UNICEF India on programmes for adolescents, and her Pink Power Run drew nearly 20,000 participants in Hyderabad in 2025. The woman dazzling New York is the same woman who shows up for her city, every year.
‘Hyderabad Is My Foundation’: Sudha said, “Hyderabad is my foundation and this ensemble is a translation of that cultural identity into a language that is both global and deeply personal.” Three Met Galas in, she isn’t just representing India — she is representing us.
