Tuxedo-Clad Robotic Dog Steals Met Gala Spotlight with 1,000-Carat Diamond Leash

Mona Patel Steals the Spotlight at the Met Gala with Robot Dog Companion

[Image: Mona Patel at the 2025 Met Gala, posing with Vector the robot dog in a tuxedo and diamond leash.]

The Met Gala, New York’s annual celebration of avant-garde fashion, saw another showstopping moment this year—courtesy of tech entrepreneur Mona Patel and her AI-powered robot dog, Vector. While the event is famous for jaw-dropping outfits (think Katy Perry’s chandelier gown or Kim Kardashian’s all-black bodysuit), Patel’s futuristic companion became the talk of the night.

Meet Vector: The Robo-Dog with a Diamond Leash
Designed by MIT engineers, Vector sported a custom tuxedo and a dazzling 1,000-carat diamond-encrusted leash. The AI-driven dachshund, modeled after designer Thom Browne’s pet, boasted “custom movement patterns and just the right amount of sass,” according to Vogue India. Patel, wearing a Thom Browne corseted gown and 3D-printed hat, joked that her robotic date was “ready to outshine me at any moment.”

[Image: Vector’s intricate design, highlighting his AI sensors and sleek tuxedo.]

The Met Gala’s Tech Twist
The Met Gala, held on May 5, 2025, is renowned for its extravagant themes and celebrity attendees. This year’s event saw stars like Rihanna, Zendaya, and Barry Keoghan, but Patel’s blend of fashion and tech innovation stood out. Her outfit even featured a robotic spine, nodding to her engineering background. “I wanted to bring a piece of my tech world to the red carpet,” she told Harper’s Bazaar.

Who Is Mona Patel?
Born in India and now based in Texas, Patel is a tech entrepreneur and philanthropist. She founded health-tech startup radXAI, which uses AI to enhance medical imaging. A graduate of MIT and Harvard, she’s no stranger to merging creativity with science. Her 2024 Met Gala appearance also went viral when she wore a butterfly-inspired gown, earning her the nickname “mystery woman.”

[Image: Patel’s 2024 butterfly gown, juxtaposed with her 2025 robot-themed look.]

The Gala’s History of Bizarre Accessories
The Met Gala has a history of quirky accessories, from Jared Leto’s lifelike head prop (2019) to Frank Ocean’s eerie robot baby (2021). Patel’s Vector fits right in, blending high fashion with cutting-edge tech.

Final Thoughts
While the Met Gala’s glitz often fades post-event, Patel’s robo-dog highlights a growing trend: technology’s role in redefining art and style. As she quipped, “Thom’s tailoring brought tradition—my robot brought the future.”

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