Dwyane Wade at MET Gala 2024

Discover with us what American former professional basketball player Dwyane Wade wore to the MET Gala 2024.

Stylist: Jason Bolden assisted by John Mumblo and Daniel Sepulveda
Outfit: custom Atelier Versace by Donatella Versace
Groomer: Joanna Simkin assisted by Lynda Esparza
Facialist: Sarah Akram x Dior Beauty
Barber: Donato Smith using Bevel
Manicurist: Thuy Nguyen using Sally Hansen
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Jewelry: Cartier

Another day, another MET Gala article.

For those of you who are new here, you should know that I truly enjoy doing research for the event and going deep into the meanings and the truths behind what we see on the red carpet each year.

Apart from brand partnerships that can make things go sour sometimes, I am very much invested into the art of how people translate their perception of the theme into an outfit.

That being said, let’s see what Dwyane Wade–literally–brought to the table this time around.

During the Gala, Wade was seen wearing a lilac custom Atelier Versace suit with a white tailored tank top underneath and black Christian Louboutin Roadie Chelsea leather boots.

The pro athlete accented the ensemble with a Cartier Libre Polymorph shoulder jewelry watch—made with quartz, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds—that hung on his left lapel, two Cartier 1895 Wedding Bands in platinum and yellow gold on his left ring finger and a Santos de Cartier watch with a rose gold case and a bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds and black alligator-skin straps.

In a video interview for Access Hollywood, Dwyane was excited to announce that Cartier let him be the first to wear their new over the shoulder watch and that once his wife Gabrielle Union was done with her dress, he contacted Donatella Versace because he wanted to match Gabrielle‘s gown, first taking into account the theme and his individuality but also the fact that they would go together.

He laughingly described himself as “a beautiful flower in the garden”; from what I gathered, the Italian fashion house played with the pastel color of the ensemble in order to convey that same idea.

Wade‘s grooming was courtesy of Joanna Simkin, who truly knows how to work with darker complexions thanks to her work on Issa Rae, Amanda Gorman or Cynthia Erivo to name just a few.

We also shouldn’t forget the prep work on the former basketball player’s skin, put in the reliable hands of Dior Beauty Skincare Expert & Ambassador Sarah Akram.

Dwyane‘s barber Donato Smith was also kind enough to share with his followers how he got the American former professional basketball player’s beard ready: “I went with the Bevel Pro, the OG Bevel Trimmer (Gold edition) and the Bevel Electric Shaver as tools. They were everything and ALL I needed to achieve the desired look, and were quick and efficient. The Bevel 2-in-1 Pads were amazing for cleansing and protecting the skin, and I loved using the Bevel Beard Conditioner to soften and moisturize the beard, and I added the Bevel Beard Oil for an immaculate finishing shine.”

How can we not mention his manicure for the occasion then?

Wade worked with manicurist Thuy Nguyen, who partnered with Sally Hansen to create a pastel colored nail art except for a checkered one on his left thumb using the following products (list is courtesy of the pro, slightly edited for clarity):

– Miracle Gel: Onyx-Pected gel nail polish
– Miracle Gel: Greyfitti gel nail polish
– Miracle Gel: Get Mod nail polish
– Miracle Gel: Chill in the Heir nail polish
– Miracle Gel: Shiny Top Coat
– Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil

Once again, Dwyane worked in tandem with stylist Jason Bolden, whose breadth of expertise seems to have no limits whether it comes to menswear or womenswear in whatever stage of life one might be.

It can be a newcomer or a well established actress like Nicole Kidman, but you can rest assured that he will never give up the glamour or the modernity that make his clients stand out in a crowd.

There is always a sort of quest for the best fabrics between the lines which doesn’t rely on plain black suits for men or cute dresses for women.

There is tailoring, colors and intention behind the looks of those who rely on him and his team, he doesn’t strike me as someone who’ll work with you just to add you to his roster.

Bolden knows what works on you according to your personality and with Wade, his suit looked smooth like butter, to paraphrase what some of the former basketball player fans commented online.