Yara Shahidi at MET Gala 2023

Stylist: Jason Bolden assisted by John Mumblo
Outfit: archive + custom Jean Paul Gaultier Couture
Makeup Artist: Nikki Wolff using Dior Beauty
Hairstylist: SherriAnn Cole
Manicurist: Mo Qin assisted by Lydia
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Jewelry: Cartier

It’s been a long time since I last wrote about the MET Gala and not because there was a lack of trying.

It just comes with the territory that in order to deliver you an article for the majority of the week, there should be a certain amount of time allocated to research, and even though I am always on the hunt for new information and the biggest chunk of the job was already done in May, it proves quite challenging for many reasons.

But I am here today, on this chilly Tuesday, to shine a light on the incredible ensemble Yara Shahidi wore to the event not many months ago. It sincerely deserves all the attention it can get.

For the Gala, Shahidi donned an archival Jean Paul Gaultier corset from the Spring 2008 Couture collection, paired with a custom pleated skirt with exaggerated hips. On her feet a pair of custom bronze satin Jimmy Choo ‘Max‘ sandals (same model as pictured below, not the same shade or material).

Her jewelry of choice was from the brand Cartier: Reflection de Cartier earrings, a Résonances de Cartier necklace from the High Jewelry collection, a Trinity de Cartier Tri-Gold diamond ring featuring three interconnected bands in 18k yellow, rose and white gold pavé-set diamonds on her right ring finger and a yellow gold Panthère de Cartier ring on her left ring finger.

The look was an ode to the 90’s supermodels like Yasmeen Ghauri, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford. For further perspective we can also say that her stylist Jason Bolden helped her select the Jean Paul Gaultier corset as an homage to Lagerfeld’s famous Chanel see-through couture corsets from the Spring 1993 Couture show and his masterful use of metallics and gold.

According to Elle US, Yara started talking with Bolden about her vision for the project in late 2022 and the JPG team took the train from Paris to London for her first fitting.

For the makeup, the inspiration was 90’s runway, indeed celebrity makeup artist Nikki Wolff paired a brown ombré lip with an arched skinny brow for an authentic 90’s feel. She also opted for a smokey eyeliner and dewy skin; all products used were of course courtesy of Dior Beauty, since the actress is a Global Brand Ambassador.

Regarding her hair, always according to the aforementioned article by Elle US, the Black beauty created with her hairstylist SherriAnn Cole a “modern hairstyle with its foundations from the early ’90s, only adding volume at the top and brushing through large barrel curls to achieve an effortless tousled texture.”

The nails were courtesy of manicurist Mo Qin, who shared with her followers that the nail polish used on Yara‘s long claw nails was from Revlon, in the shade ‘Totally Toffee‘.

One fun fact about this look is that it was the first time Jean Paul Gaultier had ever combined archive with custom, which should tell you how much they value the “Grown-ish” actress. So much so that she eventually fronted their new women’s fragrance campaign for ‘Divine‘ in August and her look pretty much echoed this one she wore for the MET Gala.

For sure, one of the most decisive factors was probably that Yara is an advocate who uses her art and platforms to support equality and equity, very much reflective of Jean Paul Gaultier‘s values.

I liked the fact that this was a look not only rooted in black and white like the majority of those we have seen during the night, everything was adapted to her body and the inspiration behind the look was not obvious or predictable.

Yara and Jason Bolden are one of the most interesting fashion pairings no doubt.