The 2024 Met Gala’s best dressed ‘mystery woman’ has been unmasked as Indian fashion entrepreneur Mona Patel.
She stole the show at the event with her now-viral butterfly-inspired gown and sparked a frenzy of intrigue on social media, where users waxed lyrical about her stunning nude-colored Iris Van Herpen dress and praised her style.
Having worked with Zendaya’s longtime stylist Law Roach for the occasion, Patel, who was born in Vadodara, Gujarat, perfectly encapsulated the dress code for the evening: The Garden of Time.
The beauty moved to the United States in 2003 – and has since founded several companies, such as HauteX Ventures and radXai, a health tech startup.
Patel – who was a Forbes Next 1000 honoree back in 2021 – stunned in a figure-hugging dress that contained a butterfly, corset bodice as well as sheer, lace details on the side.
There were thousands of Tweets from different accounts praising her looks on the night.
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 2 A 'mystery woman' graced the 2024 Met Gala red carpet on Monday and swiftly took the internet by storm for her now-viral, butterfly dress](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84544687-13390105-image-m-233_1715061681173.jpg)
A ‘mystery woman’ graced the 2024 Met Gala red carpet on Monday and swiftly took the internet by storm for her now-viral, butterfly dress
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 4 The woman was soon revealed to be Mona Patel - a businesswoman born in Vadodara, Gujarat - who wowed in a nude-colored, custom Iris Van Herpen gown](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/11/84544693-13390105-The_woman_was_soon_revealed_to_be_Mona_Patel_a_businesswoman_bor-m-278_1715078754536.jpg)
The woman was soon revealed to be Mona Patel – a businesswoman born in Vadodara, Gujarat – who wowed in a nude-colored, custom Iris Van Herpen gown
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 6 Her dress quickly swept the internet after she walked the star-studded red carpet at the annual event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84545337-13390105-image-m-252_1715062871558.jpg)
Her dress quickly swept the internet after she walked the star-studded red carpet at the annual event
The hem of the ensemble flowed down into a scalloped train and had gold-embroidered details on the material.
Gold butterfly embellishments were placed on her arms and reached up past her elbows. For a one-of-a-kind touch, the wings of the butterflies mechanically moved on their own – sending social media users into a frenzy.
Mona slipped into a pair of open-toed, gold heels that had sparkling, rhinestone embellishments on top.
Her makeup was glammed up for her Met Gala debut, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a shimmering, bronze shadow around her eyes.
A warm blush and contour was added to her cheekbones, while a satin, nude-colored tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.
To accessorize the breathtaking ensemble, Patel added a pair of teardrop earrings that glittered underneath the bright lights.
The CEO was notably styled by Roach – who is known for also working with actress Zendaya.
‘I wanted my debut look to be something that celebrates my heritage and also combines my love couture, and when I heard of the theme, Iris Van Herpen seemed like the obvious choice,’ she told Vogue India back in March.
According to the New York Times, custom creations by the designer can cost anywhere from $20,000 to more than $100,000 and can take up to two years to complete.
Not long after Patel stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet, she took the internet by storm, with some wondering who the ‘mystery woman’ was.
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 8 The beauty moved to the United States when she was younger - and has since founded several companies, such as HauteX Ventures and also radXai, a health tech startup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84544695-13390105-image-m-236_1715061731094.jpg)
The beauty moved to the United States when she was younger – and has since founded several companies, such as HauteX Ventures and also radXai, a health tech startup
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 10 Gold butterfly embellishments were placed on her arms and reached up past her elbows. For a one-of-a-kind touch, the wings of the butterflies mechanically moved on their own](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84544701-13390105-image-a-237_1715061759256.jpg)
Gold butterfly embellishments were placed on her arms and reached up past her elbows. For a one-of-a-kind touch, the wings of the butterflies mechanically moved on their own
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 12 The hem of the ensemble flowed down into a scalloped train and had gold-embroidered details on the material](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84544699-13390105-image-m-240_1715061787560.jpg)
The hem of the ensemble flowed down into a scalloped train and had gold-embroidered details on the material
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 14 To accessorize the breathtaking ensemble, Patel added a pair of teardrop earrings that glittered underneath the bright lights](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84544707-13390105-To_accessorize_the_breathtaking_ensemble_Patel_added_a_pair_of_t-m-242_1715061832490.jpg)
To accessorize the breathtaking ensemble, Patel added a pair of teardrop earrings that glittered underneath the bright lights
One Instagram user with the handle @twobrokechicks shared a short clip as she revealed that the woman was Mona Patel.
‘This is the most beautiful dress that I have ever seen,’ the social media user gushed. ‘Her name is Mona Patel, and everyone is losing their actual minds over this dress and rightly so.
‘Not only is it on theme, but it genuinely might be the most incredible piece of work ever because…like, are you kidding me?’ she went on, as a photo of the gown appeared on the screen.
‘The dress moves! It’s like a butterfly dress with a mechanism in it, and oh, gorgeous. And look, they move like butterflies,’ she added, referencing to the embellishments on Mona’s arms. ‘Oh my gosh, she slayed! She has slayed.’
Other Instagram users shared their own thoughts on the custom gown in the comment section, with one penning, ‘This look was the best of the best. STUNNING!’
‘So divine!’ one wrote, while another added, ‘Omg. This is a piece of art!!!!’ One typed, ‘Can’t tell if it’s the dress or the cold weather but immediate goosebumps – STUNNING.’
According to Mona’s LinkedIn, she began her studies at Gujarat University and later got her Masters of Science: Real Estate and Finance at the University of Florida.
Afterwards, she attended Stanford University Graduate School followed by Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management.
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 16 'I wanted my debut look to be something that celebrates my heritage and also combines my love couture, and when I heard of the theme, Iris Van Herpen seemed like the obvious choice,' she told Vogue India back in March](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84544697-13390105-image-m-244_1715062639209.jpg)
‘I wanted my debut look to be something that celebrates my heritage and also combines my love couture, and when I heard of the theme, Iris Van Herpen seemed like the obvious choice,’ she told Vogue India back in March
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 18 The CEO was notably styled by Law Roach - who is known for also working with actress, Zendaya; the pair seen above at the 2024 Met Gala](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84546131-13390105-image-m-246_1715062723481.jpg)
The CEO was notably styled by Law Roach – who is known for also working with actress, Zendaya; the pair seen above at the 2024 Met Gala
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 20 Not long after Patel stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet, she took the internet by storm, with some wondering who the 'mystery woman' was](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/11/84545333-13390105-Not_long_after_Patel_stepped_onto_the_Met_Gala_red_carpet_she_to-m-280_1715078945299.jpg)
Not long after Patel stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet, she took the internet by storm, with some wondering who the ‘mystery woman’ was
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 22 'This is the most beautiful dress that I have ever seen,' the social media user gushed. 'Her name is Mona Patel, and everyone is losing their actual minds over this dress and rightly so'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/11/84545335-13390105-_This_is_the_most_beautiful_dress_that_I_have_ever_seen_the_soci-m-279_1715078851487.jpg)
‘This is the most beautiful dress that I have ever seen,’ the social media user gushed. ‘Her name is Mona Patel, and everyone is losing their actual minds over this dress and rightly so’
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 24 'The dress moves! It's like a butterfly dress with a mechanism in it, and oh, gorgeous. And look, they move like butterflies,' she added, referencing to the embellishments on Mona's arms. 'Oh my gosh, she slayed! She has slayed'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84545339-13390105-image-a-250_1715062816764.jpg)
‘The dress moves! It’s like a butterfly dress with a mechanism in it, and oh, gorgeous. And look, they move like butterflies,’ she added, referencing to the embellishments on Mona’s arms. ‘Oh my gosh, she slayed! She has slayed’
Along with being the founder of numerous businesses, Patel also launched her own nonprofit organization called, Couture For Cause, in 2017.
According to the official website, the nonprofit ‘aims to drive positive change through fashion and inspire every woman to realize her highest self.’
‘Through fundraising events and global campaigns, we catalyze the fashion community and the industry’s most influential figures and brands to create a better future for girls around the world.’
Mona is also no stranger to the entertainment industry and has mingled with A-list Hollywood stars.
Back in 2021, she attended a Vogue100 event in collaboration with Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila brand.
During the event, Mona had the chance to take a quick snap with the TV personality and the pair flashed cheerful smiles for the camera.
In December 2022, she graced the cover for Glamour Bulgaria while adorned with diamond necklaces and bracelets.
The businesswoman currently boasts nearly 30,000 followers on her main Instagram page.
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 26 Other Instagram users shared their own thoughts on the custom gown in the comment section, with one penning, 'This look was the best of the best. STUNNING!'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84545329-13390105-image-a-253_1715063043303.jpg)
Other Instagram users shared their own thoughts on the custom gown in the comment section, with one penning, ‘This look was the best of the best. STUNNING!’
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 28 'So divine!' one wrote, while another added, 'Omg. This is a piece of art!!!!'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84545325-13390105-_So_divine_one_wrote_while_another_added_Omg_This_is_a_piece_of_-m-255_1715063069858.jpg)
‘So divine!’ one wrote, while another added, ‘Omg. This is a piece of art!!!!’
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 30 One typed, 'Can't tell if it's the dress or the cold weather but immediate goosebumps - STUNNING'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84545327-13390105-image-a-256_1715063081998.jpg)
One typed, ‘Can’t tell if it’s the dress or the cold weather but immediate goosebumps – STUNNING’
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 32 84545331 13390105 image a 257 1715063102023](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84545331-13390105-image-a-257_1715063102023.jpg)
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 34 84545323 13390105 image a 262 1715063242926](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84545323-13390105-image-a-262_1715063242926.jpg)
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 36 Mona has attended Stanford University Graduate School followed by Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84546293-13390105-image-a-263_1715063259438.jpg)
Mona has attended Stanford University Graduate School followed by Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management
She also married Chintan DeSai nearly 17 years earlier, and will occasionally share sweet snaps of the pair on her Instagram page.
During an interview with Sprit And Flesh Magazine in 2020, she opened up about her wedding day, which she described as ‘very simple and quiet…’
‘A sunset wedding on the beach with a sand ceremony and only two guests – my brother and sister.’
In regards to living in the U.S., she explained, ‘I have been living in the U.S. since 2003, and the lifestyle here is definitely very different compared to India.’
‘It has its pros and cons, but overall I think compared to India, the quality of life here is much more enjoyable and peaceful. Each day, I get to breathe the clean air, see the beautiful blue sky, and watch the amazing sunrises and sunsets…’
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 38 Back in 2021, she attended a Vogue100 event in collaboration with Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila. During the event, Mona had the chance to take a quick snap with the TV personality](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84545343-13390105-image-a-259_1715063118750.jpg)
Back in 2021, she attended a Vogue100 event in collaboration with Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila. During the event, Mona had the chance to take a quick snap with the TV personality
![Unveiling the Identity of the Best-Dressed 'Mystery Woman' at Met Gala 2024: Indian Fashion Entrepreneur and Harvard Business School Alumni with a History of Mixing with A-Listers 40 She also married Chintan DeSai nearly 17 years earlier, and will occasionally share sweet snaps of the pair on her Instagram page](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/07/07/84546033-13390105-image-a-260_1715063136688.jpg)
She also married Chintan DeSai nearly 17 years earlier, and will occasionally share sweet snaps of the pair on her Instagram page
When asked about ‘womanhood,’ Patel expressed to the outlet, ‘I think being a woman today compared to previous generations means going beyond what our mothers thought was possible.’
‘I was raised to be a confident woman and to believe that I can do anything, be anything – whatever I could dream or imagine was within my reach if I did the hard work and had the determination to achieve it.’
She then recalled, ‘My dad said to me, “Sky’s the limit and the world is yours if you are bold enough to take it.”‘
‘Women today can use their voice to empower other women for positive change since there is unprecedented access to technology and social media across all demographics of society…’