While the Met Gala red carpet commands attention, it’s the focused energy backstage that defines the mood. Long before the camera’s flash, a league of visionary makeup artists, hairstylists, and nail technicians were already at work, brushstroke by brushstroke, braid by braid, nail by nail, crafting the evening’s most iconic transformations.
This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” sparked a wave of looks that celebrated individuality, precision, and power. From Pat McGrath’s icy blue eyes and satin lips on Doja Cat, to Nick Barose’s jewel-studded brows on Lupita Nyong’o, and Bob Recine’s origami braid on Miley Cyrus, each detail told its own story. Not to mention Zola Ganzorigt’s Louis Vuitton-stitched manicure for Sabrina Carpenter.
Together, these artists didn’t just complement the fashion. They amplified it. This is beauty at its most intentional, designed not just to be seen, but to be remembered.
Patrick Ta, Dimitris Giannetos and Mei Kawajiri for Gigi Hadid
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Makeup artist Patrick Ta, assisted by Matthew Taylor, created a sculpted, luminous look for Gigi Hadid, pairing smoked-out liner with soft contouring for a modern take on Old Hollywood glamour. Dimitris Giannetos styled her hair into polished 1940s victory rolls, or “boudoir curls”, using traditional curlers and layers of hairspray to achieve a smooth, frizz-proof finish. For the final detail, Mei Kawajiri added sculptural, almond-shaped nails with a metallic edge.
Nick Barose, Vernon François and Vanessa Sanchez McCullough for Lupita Nyong’o
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