Athul KP
Neytt by Extraweave, a Kerala-based weaving company from Alappuzha’s Cherthala, is making waves at the Met Gala. The event is the annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For the fourth time, Neytt has created the iconic carpet for fashion’s biggest night, placing both the country and the craft of weaving firmly on the global stage.
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Led by CEO Sivan Santhosh, and his wife, Nimisha Sivan, the company has grown into a global name. Sivan noted that building the brand to this scale was no easy feat, requiring years of networking, strong collaborations and the sustained effort of a dedicated team. “This is our fourth time, and it has only been possible because of the quality we maintain and the trust we build with our clients,” he said.
Neytt entered the global fashion spotlight in 2022, going on to create the Met Gala carpet in 2023 and 2025. This year marks its fourth contribution to the prestigious event.
The carpet is crafted from hand-sorted natural sisal fibre, blending sustainability with craftsmanship. While Neytt produces the base carpet, the colouring and final design are completed in New York by the Gala team. FibreWorks acts as the intermediary in the United States—a long-time collaborator that has been sourcing and exporting Neytt’s carpets for years.
For 2026, the team produced 57 rolls, each measuring 4 x 30 metres, covering a total area of 6,840 square metres, which were then shipped to New York.
Beyond the Met Gala, Neytt has built a strong international presence, exporting to Europe and undertaking prestigious projects for leading hospitality brands such as Taj Hotels and Hyatt, along with various palaces across India. Over the years, the company has also received several international honours, including the DNA Paris Design Award, the Elle Deco International Design Award and the European Product Design Award, which it has won twice.
Why choose sisal?
Sivan Santhosh, CEO of Neytt, says the company sources its sisal from Madagascar. They selected the fibre for its strength, durability and long lifespan. Compared to other natural fibres, sisal can also be produced in longer lengths, making it especially versatile.
Its creamy-white base takes dye well, while high-grade sisal can be spun into yarns known for their rich texture and understated, earthy elegance—qualities that set it apart among natural fibres.
Beyond aesthetics, sisal offers practical advantages. It is hypoallergenic, pet-friendly and attracts minimal dust. It is 100 percent biodegradable, naturally fire-resistant and provides acoustic insulation. With its high tensile strength, sisal remains a reliable choice for long-term use.
How Neytt builds the Met Gala Carpet?
What sets Neytt apart is its approach to weaving, not just as a rug brand, but as a design and material innovation studio. The brand blends Kerala’s traditional weaving expertise with contemporary design thinking and experimentation using natural fibres.
This year, more than 400 workers and over two months went into crafting the carpets. The process is meticulous, beginning with fibre processing and moving through yarn production, weaving and final mending.
Kannan K U, Research and Development Manager at Neytt, said quality checks are carried out at every stage. Only after clearing each step does the carpet move forward in the process. He added that the team places strong emphasis on maintaining consistently high standards.
He noted that while no new techniques were introduced this year and the process remained largely the same, the focus was firmly on enhancing quality and delivering with precise accuracy.
In the initial year, the team did not fully grasp the scale or significance of where the carpet would be used. But once they understood its importance, the perspective shifted. Since then, Kannan said, the team has approached the work with greater excitement, consistently putting in extra effort.
What makes Neytt different from others?
Neytt stands apart for its strong focus on sustainability and uncompromising quality. The brand uses biodegradable fibres, and its factory operates on solar energy, reflecting a deeper commitment beyond just production. Sivan also emphasised that this approach extends to the people behind the brand, with employees embracing a more sustainable way of living.
Each Neytt creation tells a story. By collaborating with artists from different regions, the brand brings diverse perspectives into its work, making every piece unique. Even its weaving techniques differ from conventional methods, reinforcing its identity while staying true to its core value of quality.
