Moving from the silver screen to the ivy-covered halls of Harvard University, global icon Priyanka Chopra delivered the closing keynote at the India Conference at Harvard 2026. Eschewing traditional business attire, Priyanka opted for a monochromatic “wine-red” ensemble that combined academic sophistication with high-fashion edge.
The Look: Decoding “Wine-Red Scholar”
Priyanka’s outfit was a study in textures and modern silhouettes, curated to balance her role as a thoughtful speaker with her status as a global style maven.
- The Dress: A wine-red ensemble featuring a pleated bodice with draped half-sleeves. The skirt was a complex two-part design: a body-sculpting mini-skirt base topped with an asymmetrical, transparent chiffon layer that flowed to the ankles.
- The “Killer” Boots: She skipped standard pumps for thigh-high, pointed suede boots in a matching wine-red shade, featuring sharp pencil heels.
- The Accessories: To lean into the “scholar” aesthetic, she wore gold-framed “nerdy” glasses, paired with understated diamond jewelry.
- The Glam: A “monotone” makeup look featuring a glossy wine lip, dewy skin, and sleek, side-parted straight hair.
Backstage with Shashi Tharoor
The event saw a high-profile meeting between Priyanka and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, who was also a speaker at the conference. Tharoor took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their backstage interaction:
“Remarkable to see (and hear) how well she is doing! She has made India proud by conquering a stage on which Indians rarely get to appear… she looks stunning, appears perfectly poised and sounds thoughtful and wise.”
Priyanka responded with equal warmth, praising Tharoor’s legendary oratory skills and his famous “clap backs” on social media.
The Keynote: From Bollywood to Global Brand
During her session with manager Anjula Acharia, Priyanka discussed the “changing face of Indian representation” in global media.
Representation by the Numbers
While Tharoor noted that Priyanka is conquering “stages on which Indians rarely get to appear,” current data highlights both progress and the gaps she is working to fill:
| Metric | Statistic (approx. 2024-2025 data) |
| South Asian Representation in Hollywood | South Asians make up roughly 1.5% to 2% of speaking roles in top-grossing US films, despite being over 25% of the world population. |
| Priyanka’s Global Impact | One of the few Indian actors to lead a major US network show (Quantico) and a global streaming franchise (Citadel). |
| Harvard India Conference Attendance | Attracted over 1,000 delegates and speakers including business titans and political leaders to discuss India’s 2030 trajectory. |