For the fourth time, a Kerala-based brand has created the Met Gala carpet

For the fourth time, Kerala-based Neytt by Extraweave is heading to the Met Gala, quietly laying the groundwork (literally!) for one of fashion’s biggest nights. The brand has once again created the base carpet for the 78th edition. This year, it arrives in a soft, off-white natural-fibre finish, minimal and clean, ready to be transformed.

This year, too, the carpet began its journey as a blank canvas from Kerala before being transformed in New York. Conceived by event designer Raúl Àvila along with the Met Gala design team, including Baz Luhrmann and Derek McLane, it has been painted to resemble a stone pathway with patches of moss green. Framed by cascading wisteria in shades of lilac, pink, and white, the setting leans into a romantic, almost dreamlike mood, in line with the Costume Institute’s “Costume Art” theme.

The making of that “blank canvas” is anything but basic. The carpet was crafted using hand-sorted natural sisal fibre sourced from Madagascar, chosen for its strength, texture, and sustainability. Woven in a bouclé construction, it creates a surface that is both refined and durable enough for the scale of the event. For 2026, the team produced 57 rolls, each measuring 4 x 30 metres, covering a total of 6,840 square metres, which were then shipped to New York. It is a massive operation that starts in Cherthala, in Kerala’s Alleppey district, and ends on one of the most photographed walkways in the world.

A big part of Neytt’s story at the Met lies in what they have already done. In 2022, they created a red-and-blue striped carpet for ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’. In 2023, they collaborated with Japanese architect Tadao Ando on a swirled design for the Karl Lagerfeld tribute. In 2025, they sent a natural-fibre base that artist Cy Gavin painted into a deep blue carpet dotted with narcissus flowers, tying into themes of identity and self-expression.

Back in Cherthala, where it all begins, the scale of the project is intense. Around 400 to 500 artisans worked on the carpet over 90 days, moving through different stages of production to get it just right. This year, the team used a finer, whiter yarn to give the surface a cleaner, more polished finish. “From the very beginning, everyone knew it was for the Met Gala,” says founder Sivan Santosh, whose brand has recently expanded its presence with a 4,000 sq ft flagship store in New Delhi’s Sultanpur. “People are very excited… They want to make it better every year and take extra care before we send it out.” For Santosh, the carpet is not just background detail. It sets the tone for everything that follows. “The rug is what elevates whatever else is in the space,” he says. “It plays a very important role.”

This growing association with the Met Gala has also changed things for the brand. What began as a behind-the-scenes contribution is now something people recognise instantly. “It’s always too much pressure, because the competition is also a lot these days,” the 36-year-old says. “It’s difficult for us to stand out as a brand, but thanks to the kind of material innovation we do and the collaborations we take on, we’re constantly trying to improve and push ourselves.” He hints at what is next but keeps it vague, promising some “bigger things” in the pipeline. At its core, Neytt’s role is simple but crucial; it begins with a carpet made far from the spotlight. By the time it reaches the Met, it’s ready to become part of everything the night has to offer.