NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
New York, NYC, May 6, 2025: Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist Mona Patel turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday night, making an unforgettable fashion statement that fused cutting-edge technology with high fashion.
Held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, this year’s gala followed the theme “Tailored for You,” celebrating innovation and individuality in couture. Patel embraced the theme with bold flair, arriving in a custom Thom Browne ensemble adorned with a kinetic spinal accessory—an intricate piece designed in collaboration with creatives Lisa Jiang and Timothy Bowl.
But it was Patel’s robotic companion that truly captured the spotlight. Vector, a tuxedo-clad robotic dog created at MIT and modeled after Browne’s signature dachshund mascot Hector, walked beside Patel on the red carpet. The futuristic pet was leashed with a dazzling 1,000-carat emerald-cut diamond leash, which doubled as a shoulder sling. “Fully robotic, tuxed-up, diamond-leashed, and ready to outshine me at any moment,” Patel quipped.
This is not the first time Patel has wowed audiences at fashion’s biggest night. Her 2024 Met Gala debut saw her in a custom Iris van Herpen gown featuring a butterfly-shaped corset and kinetic butterflies that fluttered with her movements. Styled by celebrity fashion stylist Law Roach, the look went viral, cementing her reputation as a daring and imaginative red carpet presence.
Patel, who is based in the United States, is a serial entrepreneur with a background in healthcare, real estate, and technology. She is the founder of HauteX Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on innovation, and has been named a Forbes Next 1000 honoree for her work in business and philanthropy.
Combining fashion, technology, and a sense of fun, Mona Patel continues to make waves—not just in boardrooms, but also on the global stage of high fashion. With her Met Gala appearances becoming highly anticipated, she is redefining what it means to be both a business leader and a cultural icon.
Photos courtesy: @HauteMona/IG
mona patel wearing custom thom browne at the met gala — stunning!!!! she’s always serving 🤍 pic.twitter.com/CmXiuFdJ8k
— 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚 (@pradapearll) May 5, 2025
