Tyla and Balmain Made Art at the Met Gala
Inspired by time and the novel by J. G. Ballard, Tyla, and the Balmain team, led by Olivier Rousteing, created a fan-favorite look for the Met Gala this year.
In almost everyone’s best-dressed list for this year’s Met, Tyla was at the top of it. The dress diverged from the obvious take on the theme Garden of Time and was a breath of fresh air amongst many flower interpretations.
“Tyla pushes the boundaries of music in a similar way that I push the boundaries of fashion with Balmain, I could not think of a better woman to wear this look that I feel is a manifestation of imagination, innovation, and the transformative power of art,” Rousteing told Vogue.
I am completely blown away by the molded sand look Olivier Rousteing put on Tyla for her Met Gala debut… it has everything a good Met look needs: it’s unexpected, visually stunning and fits both the celebrity and the theme perfectly!! Tens across the board!! pic.twitter.com/JTkOzjdDfB
— Kea (@jacquemusx) May 6, 2024
The dress was sculpted to Tyla’s body, with three different colors of sand and to add sparkle in all the flashes from the cameras, the Balmain team used micro-crystal studs. Since it was made from a perfect cast of the South African singer, Tyla had to be carried up the steps to protect the dress.
Additionally, the gown had a long mermaid train made of organza. After the singer had walked on the carpet, Rousteing cut the skirt and made it into a short dress, which was just as stunning as the original one. Her stylist, Katie Qian, put Tyla in earrings and rings by John Hardy and a necklace by Alexis Bittar to complete the look. Moreover, Tyla’s makeup was done by Pat McGrath, and her hair by Lacy Redway.
“The idea of sculpting a garment from something as ephemeral as sand ignited my imagination, and I could not be happier with the end result,” Rousteing stated.
the details of tyla’s custom balmain look by olivier rousteing for the met gala made out of sand that can only be worn once then put to rest forever pic.twitter.com/d6WCL9CkIq
— (@theitcouture) May 7, 2024
The Grammy award-winning singer exhibits her fashion sense at every opportunity she gets. Similarly, the pistachio green Atelier Versace dress she wore to the Grammys was a great representation of her personality and style. Rousteing even compared her pushing boundaries with her music to how he does the same in fashion at Balmain.
“We were looking to do something creative, something completely different for my first Met Gala, so when Balmain showed me the idea and sketch, I just knew it was perfect,” Tyla told Vogue.
Additionally, Balmain dressed Elle Fanning, Aya Nakamura, and Oliver Rousteing. Rousteing wore a black blazer with a corset made of a sand sculpture that resembled his face, echoing Tyla’s look. While Fanning and Nakamura didn’t opt for sand looks, their outfits were just as stunning, one dress being an organza and resin gown made to look like glass and the other a full crystal embroidered dress referencing a bouquet.
You can keep up with updates on this year’s Met Gala here.
Elle Fanning and Tyla won the night for me! #MetGala pic.twitter.com/RKbbvV575X
— Frank Costa (@feistyfrank) May 7, 2024
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