In a dramatic twist, a high-end jewelry house is said to have refused to lend the legendary Patiala Necklace to Punjabi megastar Diljit Dosanjh for his highly anticipated Met Gala 2025 look. Famous for merging tradition with modern panache, Diljit had dreamed of wearing the vintage piece with his bespoke Indo-western outfit—but the house allegedly refused, citing image alignment issues.
The move drew heat in fashion and pop culture camps. With his global fan following, iconic Coachella performance, and numerous campaigns for global brand names under his belt, Diljit’s credentials as a cultural icon are not dispute. Consumers and insiders now wonder if it was an elitist error of judgment or a relic view on what global celebrity appeal looks like.
Opponents’ contention that it should be denied to Diljit, a symbol long embedded in Punjabi royal tradition, edges towards cultural tone-deafness. To some, it was not just jewelry; it was an opportunity to present South Asian heritage on the fashion world’s biggest platform. The denial is coming to be regarded by some as a lost chance for brand and culture.
As the drama picks up pace, social media is filled to the brim with Diljit support, using hashtags such as #LetDiljitShine and #PatialaForDiljit being top trends. Although the jewellery house has so far not put out an official statement, the incident brings glaring questions regarding representation and inclusivity in high fashion circles.
