Tyla Makes a Statement with Balmain Gown Crafted from Sand for Her Debut Met Gala Appearance
Making her debut at the Met Gala, singer Tyla arrived on the red carpet adorned in a custom sculpted Balmain gown, fashioned entirely from sand, symbolizing the essence of “the sands of time,” as she shared with La La Anthony during the event. Collaborating with stylist Katie Qian, Tyla aimed for an unconventional look, fitting for her first Met Gala experience.
The Grammy-winning artist complemented her Dune-inspired attire with water-themed jewelry by John Hardy, featuring yellow gold earrings adorned with aquamarine, yellow diamond, and blue topaz, along with two yellow gold pave rings.
Additional accessories included a simple gold necklace and an oversized hourglass clutch, while her makeup featured a cat eyeliner and a dusting of sand on her shoulder. Notably, her nails showcased 3D chain embellishments resembling dripping sand.
The striking effect of being dipped in sand was achieved through meticulous craftsmanship, as explained by Balmain’s creative director, Olivia Rousteing. Tyla’s body was molded months prior to the event, with the dress designed to become a permanent part of the museum after a single wear.
The bodice was crafted using a plaster mold, while the organza train incorporated three shades of sand adorned with micro-crystal studs for added sparkle. Rousteing himself sported a matching sand top molded from his own face.
Prior to the release of her self-titled debut album in March, Tyla made waves as the youngest South African artist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 with her R&B-meets-Afrobeats track, “Water.” As she departed from the Mark Hotel, she serenaded fans with her chart-topping hit.
This year’s Met Gala theme, “The Garden of Time,” draws inspiration from J.G. Ballard’s 1962 short story of the same name, aligning seamlessly with the latest exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” Curated by Andrew Bolton, the exhibition showcases delicate pieces from the institute’s archives, exploring themes of nature and time.
