Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more
Lupita Nyong’o 's Met Gala 2019 hairstyle had a secret meaning, according to her hairstylist.
On the first Monday of May, the Met Gala delivers an array of red carpet looks that veer away from orthodox ballgowns and instead towards fun and experimental ensembles.
And the same can be said for the beauty looks, too.
A whole host of celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez and Ciara , interpreted this year’s theme – “Camp: Notes on Fashion” – through a string of show-stopping hair and makeup moments, but it was Nyong’o’s that made the biggest impact.
The Us actor enlisted the help of celebrity hairstylist Vernon Francois to create her look for the evening, resulting in a towering afro complete with a crown of five gilded afro picks.
Show all 103 1 /103Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lady Gaga Gaga wore not one but four outfits for the event, designed by friend and former stylist Brandon Maxwell. Unveiling her outfit layer by layer, Gaga showed off a hot pink dress, which layered over a black strapless dress, a pink skintight ensemble, and then a sheer pair of bejewelled fishnet tights and underwear.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lady Gaga Gaga's second look for the evening.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lady Gaga The singer's third ensemble of the night.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lady Gaga And the grand finale.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Cara Delevingne The British model opted for a sheer rainbow-striped playsuit by Dior for the 2019 Met Gala. The 26-year-old finished the look with a Swarovski cane, platform heels and a dramatic headpiece that featured everything from bananas and false teeth to a fried egg.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Cardi B Cardi B arrived on the Met Gala pink carpet wearing a dramatic red gown that took 35 people more than 2,000 hours to make. The dress, which was designed by Thom Browne, was also decorated with 30,000 burnt and dyed coque feathers.
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Newlyweds Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner wore co-ordinating outfits to the Met Gala, both opting for colourful Louis Vuitton looks. Jonas sported a graphic roll neck top and trousers while Turner wore a sequin jumpsuit and black heels.
REUTERS
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Donatella Versace The Italian fashion designer wore a neon green gown that featured the words "divine" and "more" in sparkling pink sequins.
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Dua Lipa The British singer attended the Met Gala for the very first time wearing a multi-coloured Versace gown and matching boots.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks RuPaul RuPaul walked the Met Gala's pink carpet in an eye-catching pink and black zebra-stripped suit.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Regina King The If Beale Street Could Talk star wore a shimmering gold Oscar de la Renta gown with a large ruffle detail down the side. King revealed that her dress was inspired in part by the fictional character Dominque Deveraux from ABC’s soap opera Dynasty .
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Tessa Thompson The Creed actor opted for a Chanel look from the autumn/winter 2016 couture show. The actor wore her hair as a whip that was several feet long.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Serena Williams The tennis champion attended the event, which she co-hosted, wearing a neon yellow gown designed by Versace and matching Nike trainers.
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Chloe Grace Moretz The American actor attended the event wearing a giant-collared Louis Vuitton mini-dress and curled hair.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Mindy Kaling Kaling wore a gold sequinned gown and dyed her hair an icy blonde shade to match.
REUTERS
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Kelela The singer wore a Paco Rabanne chain mail dress to this year’s Met Gala.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Nicki Minaj The American rapper opted for a pale pink gown with crystals designed by Prabal Gurung.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Irina Shayk The Russian model wore a plunging velvet Burberry gown designed by Riccardo Tisci. The navy blue dress featured built in gloves along with a cluster of jewels adorning the front and back.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Jennifer Lopez The singer and actor opted for a silver fringe beaded Versace dress featuring a thigh-high slit and plunging neckline. She teamed the look with a matching fringe headpiece.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Zendaya The Greatest Showman star dressed up as Disney's Cinderella for the 2019 Met Gala. The actor wore a bold blue gown by Tommy Hilfiger which, after a wave of her stylist Law Roach’s wand, began to light up. True to the fairytale's plot, Zendaya also left her glass shoe on the pink carpet.
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Laverne Cox Cox stunned in an oversized black dress with a train designed by Christian Siriano. She teamed the look with pale turquoise hair.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Hailee Steinfeld The American singer and actor wore a Viktor & Rolfe gown that was emblazoned with the words "No Photos Please".
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lupita Nyong'o The Us actor wore a multi-coloured dress that featured a sheer sparkly gown and rainbow wings. She accessorised the look with gold Afro picks in her hair and a giant fan.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Cody Fern American Horror Story actor Cody Fern wore a beige trouser suit complete with a sheer shirt, black gloves and bright blue cowboy boots
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Ella Balinska The British actor made her Met Gala debut in a voluminous silver gown with pleated ruffles by Tory Burch.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Hari Nef Gucci muse Hari Nef wore a Gen-Z Yellow dress designed by creative director Alessandro Michele for the event.
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Penelope Cruz The Spanish actor wore a vintage black and white Chanel gown from French fashion the house’s Spring 1987 Couture collection.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Ezra Miller The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them star concealed his face at the Met Gala with a mask on a stick. Miller went on to bare his true identity, revealing that his face had been painted with five optical-illusion eyeballs. He wore a pinstripe Burberry suit that featured a long train and a pearl corset.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Richard Madden The Bodyguard actor wore an all-black draped tuxedo from Dior Men’s Fall 2019 show.
REUTERS
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Solange Knowles The singer opted for a python bodysuit and matching thigh-high boots by Salvatore Ferragamo.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Emily Blunt Blunt wore a gold sequinned gown designed by Michael Kors. The whole look comprised 510,000 sequins and 1,344 gold crystals.
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Harry Styles and Alessandro Michele Styles and the Gucci creative director wore matching Gucci for the night. The singer wore a black pussy-bow blouse, black trousers, and a single pearl earring, designed by Michele. Meanwhile, the fashion designer chose a pink ruffled suit and jewelled headband for the occasion.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Ciara The singer attended the event wearing a beaded emerald Dundas gown with a feathered train and matching gloves.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lizzo The American rapper arrived wearing a white gown and neon pink feathered cape by Marc Jacobs with bright hair to match.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Celine Dion The singer wore an Oscar de la Renta metallic bodysuit with fringe-detailing and a plunging neckline.
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Karlie Kloss The American model wore a gold mini dress with oversized puffed sleeves.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Bee Shaffer and Anna Wintour Wintour wore a Chanel couture pink sequined gown and feathered cape. Meanwhile, her daughter wore a black suit with a red-coloured rosette and train designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Billy Porter Porter arrived on the red carpet carried on a litter carried by six shirtless men, dressed in a custom 'Sun God' ensemble, created by The Blonds. The look included a bewjelled catsuit made with 10ft wings, a 24-karat gold headpiece, and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Harry Styles Styles wore an all-Gucci ensemble for the evening, consisting of a black pussy-bow blouse, black trousers, and a single pearl earring.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble Jenner wore a navy jumpsuit and a bold-shouldered organza coat. She also showcased a new platinum blonde bob that she said was chosen by her daughter Kylie. Gamble opted for a classic tuxedo with a sapphire-coloured tie.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Aquaria Ru Paul's Drag Race star Aquaria wore a deconstructed silk gown and painted white wig.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Yara Shadidi Shadidi wore a beaded bodysuit and tights paired with a dramatic black coat.
AFP/Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Jordan Roth The theatre aficionado made a dramatic entrance wearing an Iris Van Herpen cape.
REUTERS
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lily Collins The actor channeled her inner Priscilla Presley wearing a a ruffled white gown trailed by a floor-sweeping train by Giambattista Valli.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Kim Kardashian West The reality star-turned-entrepreneur arrived wearing a gown inspired by Sophia Loren's scandalous wet dress from the 1957 film Boy on a Dolphin . The nude sheer knee-length ensemble featured gathered details and a plunging neckline.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Winnie Harlow The American model wore a gold crystal-encrusted gown, black feather boa, and a headpiece.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Rachel Brosnahan The Marvelous Mrs Maisel actor Rachel Brosnahan wore a custom Erdem gown in fuchsia silk.
REUTERS
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Gemma Chan The British actor attended the event with Tom Ford, wearing a sleek silver dress and oversized headpiece by the designer.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Emily Ratajkowski The US model and actor wore a metallic dress that featured a cut-out at the torso by Peter Dundas.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Riley Keough The actor wore a white mini-dress with a black leather belt by Louis Vuitton.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Caroline Trentini The Brazilian model wore a pearl-encrusted “skeleton dress” by Thom Browne.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Sara Sampaio The Victoria's Secret model wore a voluminous white dress with silver beadwork.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Awkwafina The American rapper wore a gold pleated gown with oversize ruffle sleeves by Altuzarra.
REUTERS
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Ryan Murphy The American screenwriter wore a dramatic cape by Christian Siriano covered in pearls and crystals.
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Liza Koshy The social media star wore a custom Balmain for the occasion.
Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Sienna Miller The British actor wore a chainmail dress from Julien Dossena’s latest collection for Paco Rabanne.
REUTERS
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Gwyneth Paltrow The actor arrived wearing a sheer lemon yellow gown complete with a ruffled high-neck.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Kristen Stewart The actor wore an all-sequin monochrome ensemble by Chanel. Stewart added a boost of colour with her sprightly pink updo, presumably dyed for the occasion, while bleached eyebrows added a camp-y twist.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lily Rose Depp The model and actor arrived wearing a sophisticated black and gold gown adorned with gold chain detail.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner The reality TV superstars wore twinning feathered gowns by Versace for the occasion.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Gigi Hadid The American model arrived with designer Michael Kors in a look inspired by Elton John and Cher. Hadid's white and silver bodysuit was accessorised with a swimming cap-like hat and a billowing cape.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Kacey Musgraves The American singer won praise for her Barbie doll-inspired ensemble that came complete with a hair dryer handbag. Yes, really.
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Pom Klementieff The French actor opted for a sheer bubblegum pink look that consisted of a double-breasted jacket dress with a sheer overlay.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Julianne Moore The Oscar-winning walked the red carpet alongside Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli in a metallic green gown.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Maria Sharapova The tennis champion opted for a structured black and red dress with a tulle pleated skirt.
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Tracee Ellis Ross Moschino designer Jeremy Scott transformed the actor into a work of art for the occasion by creating a black gown complete with gold picture frame.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Bella Hadid The model stepped out in a bejewelled frock by Moschino with cut-out detail at the hip.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Gal Gadot The Israeli actor attended the gala with Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller, who designed Meghan Markle's wedding gown. For the Met Gala, Waight Keller created a monochrome lace look.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Zoe Kravitz The Big Little Lies star chose a black sequin gown by Saint Laurent for the event that boasted a heart-shaped cut-out on the torso.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Janelle Monae It took 15 sketches to compile the singer's avant-garde and surrealistic Met Gala look, which was designed by Christian Siriano. Monae's stylist, Alexandra Mandelkorn, revealed that it was inspired by Picasso and Salvador Dalí.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Naomi Campbell The British model brought an assistant to fan the feathers of her Paolo Piccioli for Valentino Haute Couture dress. Campbell accessorised the candy pink look with lace tights matching strappy sandals.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Amber Valletta The American model chose a high-leg bodysuit by Saint Laurent, which she paired with sheer tights and a feathered fluorescent green bag.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Diane von Furstenberg The American fashion designer opted for a Statue of Liberty-inspired look that featured a crown, torch and a print of her own face on the frock itself.
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Maggie Rogers The American singer made her Met Gala debut in a caped floral gown by Coach.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Candice Swanepoel The South African model chose a sky blue strapless frock by Prabal Gurung.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Katy Perry Among the most talked-about red carpet moments is Katy Perry's chandelier gown. Designed by Moschino, the look consisted of a strapless beaded mini dress and three rows of candles circling around the singer.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Laura Love The model wore a pink tulle gown printed with bows.
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Elizabeth Debicki The actor wrapped herself in a bow for the occasion in this pink floor-length gown by Salvatore Ferragamo, which she accessorised with long white gloves.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Alexa Chung The British fashion designer has described her vintage jacquard look as "Jane Austen goes disco" having designed the mini dress herself after feeling inspired by a 1760's jacket she saw at London's Design Museum earlier this year.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Elle Fanning The American actor packed a peachy punch in this look. Fanning paired her wide-leg trousers with a matching crop top and a generous collection of trinket-style necklaces.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Liu Wen The Victoria's Secret model channelled a 1990's vibe in this yellow tartan jacket dress that boasted black and white fringing.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Rosie Huntington-Whiteley The British model chose a classic Hollywood look for the occasion, wearing a keyhole cut-out cream gown that came complete with a feathered cape.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Omari Hardwick Proving that men can have just as much fun with their dressing up garb was Hardwick, whose custom Gucci jacquard suit was sight for sore eyes.
AFP/Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Jemima Kirke & Lena Dunham The Girls duo attended in tandem wearing matching fetish-inspired looks by Christopher Kane.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen The fashion design duo wore matching leather outfits for the event, both of which were vintage Chanel couture.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Aurora James The Brother Vellies founder wore a straw-skirted frock for the event with a structured bodice and a matching headband.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks TIffany Haddish Another Michael Kors creation came via Haddish, whose flared zebra print suit certainly fits the camp bill.
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Jared Leto It's not every day you see someone using a replica of their own head as a fashion accessory. But this is the Met Gala. And anything goes. Leto's unusual accessory makes a little more sense when you consider it was designed by Gucci's Alessandro Michele (co-host of the Gala), who famously sent models down the runway in February 2018 carrying severed heads.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Lili Reinhart The Riverdale actor shunned red carpet conventions in this blue satin playsuit that she paired with a floral headpiece.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Carey Mulligan The British actor's Prada ensemble might not have been as eccentric as some others, but its success lies in the details: crimson sequins, fuchsia satin, and a tousled blonde bob.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Hailey Bieber Head-to-toe millennial pink is a look that most of us wouldn't dare trying, but Bieber wears hers effortlessly. Designed by Alexander Wang, this open-back gown glistened with wet look sequins that perfectly matched the sprightly hue of the pink carpet.
FilmMagic
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Charli XCX The British singer opted for a neon yellow ruffled gown with a thigh-high split and a rope-like belt.
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Florence Welch The 'You've Got The Love' singer arrived in an angelic medieval pastel ensemble by Gucci.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Frank Ocean Ocean shunned the flamboyant theme altogether in this black hooded jumper by Prada, paired with black trousers and smart boots.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Hamish Bowles The Vogue editor-at-large went all out for his Met Gala look. Clad head-to-toe in purple in a look designed by John Galliano, Bowles also sported a green haircut and velvet court heels.
PA
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Madelaine Petsch The Riverdale actor channelled her inner Tinkerbell in this fairy-like turquoise tulle gown.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Tommy and Dee Hilfiger The fashion design duo paid homage to Hilfiger's all-American aesthetic in matching stars and stripes outfits.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Natasha Lyonne The Russian Doll star chose a structured Jean Paul Gaultier jumpsuit that featured razor-sharp shoulder pads and two-tone panels.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Saorise Ronan The Irish actor looked armed for battle in this multi-coloured sequin gown with flaming shoulder detail by Gucci.
Getty/The Met Museum/Vogue
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Ruth Wilson The British actor wore a ruffled tulle pink gown with a black belt.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Taylor Hill The Victoria's Secret model chose a strapless silk pink gown with a matching feather boa.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Constance Wu The Crazy Rich Asians star wore a grey sheer frock by Marchesa for the occasion, which she attended with Georgina Chapman, the label's co-founder.
Getty Images
Met Gala 2019: Best red carpet looks Alessia Cara The singer wore a frothy pink gown by Giambattista Valli.
Getty Images
But, aside from complementing her rainbow-inspired dress perfectly, the gold combs, which featured “Fight the Power” raised fists as handles, served another purpose.
Sharing a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram of how his team painted the afro picks, Francois wrote: “WOW. This is been quite an emotional experience for me over the past 48hrs.
“The raised fist logo represent unity, solidarity. Also known as Black Power. I will leave it there for now.
“Yes we hand spray painted them gold I will be hanging this up on my wall.”
In a separate Instagram post, Francois also revealed that the look was partly inspired by artist Lauren Kelley's self-portrait “Pickin'” (2007), which shows her wearing a crown of hair picks, and also former queen of France, Marie Antionette.
“Our goal is to continue to demonstrate the power of our hair texture that it is the most mouldable and luxurious hair texture there is,” he added.
Celebrity make-up artist Nick Barose finished Nyong’o’s look with glossy black lips, retraced extra-high, pencil thin eyebrows and applied metallic eyeshadow in bright pink and silver glitter.
The Black Panther
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies