The “Truth or Dare” singer made a striking entrance at the event on May 6, wearing a unique strapless gown by Balmain. The dress, made entirely of sand, was a tribute to the theme of the night: “The Garden of Time,” inspired by the sands of time. However, Tyla’s sand dress faced a challenge as delicate as the couture displayed in the Costume Institute’s latest exhibit, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” After being escorted up the iconic Met Gala stairs, the musician had to part ways with the bottom portion of her sand dress, turning it into a thigh-high minidress.
Behind the scenes, Balmain’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing, shared a revealing video of himself trimming the dress, showcasing the transformation from a floor-length gown to a shorter ensemble.
In an Instagram post on May 7, Olivier hinted at the unseen drama “inside the MET.”
Earlier in the evening, Tyla shared insights into her unique design, which was crafted from three types of sand and molded to her body like a plaster sculpture. Embracing the theme further, she accessorized with an hourglass clutch and adorned her body with streaks of sand.
“We wanted to do something innovative and completely different for my first Met Gala,” Tyla explained to Vogue. “When Balmain presented the idea and sketch to me, I immediately knew it was perfect. The concept was bold, and I was drawn to it.”
Olivier elaborated on the inspiration behind his creation, expressing a desire to push boundaries and transform a fleeting material into a timeless masterpiece.
“The concept of sculpting a garment from something as transient as sand sparked my imagination,” he shared with the magazine. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the final result. I can’t think of a better person to wear this look, which embodies imagination, innovation, and the transformative power of art.”
While Tyla made waves at the 2024 Met Gala, she wasn’t the only star to make a splash on the red carpet. Explore more stunning looks from fashion’s grandest night below.