Our South African Sista Tyla attended the 2024 MET GALA for the first time and didn’t disappoint. This year’s theme—“Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”—celebrates the Costume Institute’s new exhibition of the same name; The exhibit features approximately 250 items drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, some rarely seen in public before, and displayed in entirely new ways. It is safe to say, Tyla was on theme!
In a departure from tradition, Tyla made waves at her inaugural Met Gala appearance by swapping ‘water for sand’. The singer-songwriter enlisted the expertise of Balmain to bring her fantastical vision to life, resulting in a breathtaking ensemble that defies convention.
Embracing the theme of “time” from the evening’s “Garden of Time” dress code, the Balmain team crafted a dress entirely out of sand—an inspired homage to the sands of time. Olivier Rousteing, the creative mastermind behind Balmain, was captivated by the notion of ephemerality, seeking to transform a transient material into a timeless masterpiece.
“The inspiration behind this creation stemmed from a desire to redefine boundaries and transform a transient material into an everlasting masterpiece,” Rousteing shares with Vogue.
“The idea of sculpting a garment from something as ephemeral as sand ignited my imagination, and I could not be happier with the end result.”
For Tyla, the decision to embrace such a daring concept was met with enthusiasm and excitement. “We were looking to do something creative, something completely different for my first Met Gala. So when Balmain showed me the idea and sketch, I just knew it was perfect,” she expresses. “
As Tyla graced the iconic Met Gala red carpet, her sand-sculpted couture captivated and embodied the spirit of innovation and creativity that defines this esteemed fashion event.
The strapless dress was made to hug every inch of the singer’s body before flaring out into an organza mermaid train. Made with three colors of sand, and mixed with micro crystal studs, the dress shines with Tyla’s every move. In another wink to the night’s theme, she also carried the Balmain hourglass clutch.
Though it’s her first Met, Tyla is already proving herself a fashion force.
