At Coveteur, our jewelry rotations just never feel complete—there's always room for a new butterfly shaped labradorite ring, gold locket necklace, or crocheted pearl earrings, especially when made intentionally and with love. This month, we're taking the time to shout out our favorite AAPI brands that we love shopping and admiring year-round. Some of these jewelry brands pour their family heritage into each and every piece, others are inspired by the places they live now or came of age, and some are dedicated to the places and materials they've discovered along the way. 

Some are producing pieces meant to be kept on from day to night, others are creating statements meant for special occasions. All seven of these brands have this in common, though: they're selling pieces that are distinct, high quality, and deserve to be seen. 

Ahead, the AAPI owned jewelry brands that need to be on your radar. 

1. Kinn Studio

Jennie Yoon founded Kinn Studios in attempt to replace the antique jewelry her parents lost when their home was robbed. Because of that, her designs incorporate vintage-inspired elements and her utmost goal is to sell pieces that stand the test of time—rather than trends that will cycle in and out.

2. WWAKE

Founded by Wing Yau in Brooklyn in 2012, WWAKE is known for their use of stones like opals, ethereal aesthetic, and use of recycled metals. Yau studied sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design, which is clear through her designs that bridge the gap between contemporary art and jewelry.

3. Chan Luu

Vietnamese-born Chan Luu founded her namesake brand in 1996. The brand's humble beginnings included Luu, who had worked in retail for years, making jewelry in her garage—and, to this day, the brand's ethos prioritizes handmade pieces. Now, her niece Tessa Tran is the CEO and Creative Director—a true family business.

4. Aeri Go

Seoul-born and New York-based Aeri Go is a trained silversmith and graduate of the Royal College of Art in London. She founded her namesake jewelry brand in 2018, partially out of curiosity and fascination for different materials, and partially based on a genuine love for the craft. Her brand's ethos embraces imperfections—imprints and irregularities that make it clear that her pieces were made by human hands.

5. BONBONWHIMS

While some of us picked up hobbies like baking banana bread during the 2020 pandemic, Clare Ngai-Howard was pioneering the chunky resin jewelry boom. Her brand, BONBONWHIMS began as a passion project to keep her busy during troubling times, and remains a source for playful, nostalgic, and colorful Y2K-inspired pieces.

6. NOTTE Jewelry

NOTTE Jewelry founder Jessica Tse has spent time living between New York and Florence, with both places very much present in her pieces. Tse is passonate about selling "mood-boosting" jewelry—pieces that are whimsical, handcrafted, and playfully designed. NOTTE's current offerings include beaded necklaces begging to be worn on a Mediterranean vacation and statement rings begging to be worn everyday.

7. Avec New York

Founded by twin sisters Kate and Chloe Lee, Avec New York is committed to slow fashion and creating pieces that can be worn every day, from day to night. Both sisters come from creative backgrounds and studied fashion design at Parsons School of Design in NYC. Now, they produce jewelry out of only the finest, most high quality materials.

Created with Givenchy

Welcome back! This week has been predominantly overrun by the Met Gala—fashion’s most anticipated night—and boy! There were a lot of opinions. Many of our red carpet faves and Met heavyweights suspiciously opted out of attending…but we won’t speculate too much on that. This year, the Met Museum raised a record-breaking $42 million thanks to the attendance of plenty of tech bros who picked up the tab, proving that fashion fundraisers still do immense numbers for cultural causes, but it did beg the question: at what cost? 

As far as the looks went, nothing felt overwhelmingly memorable, except perhaps Madonna’s interpretation of Leonora Carrington’s 1945 painting, The Temptation of St. Anthony, where she arrived in Saint Laurent with 7 ladies-in-waiting, and Bad Bunny’s abstract interpretation of the theme in which he attended as an aged version of himself. So Meta in the context of…the honorary chair and sponsor of the event, not to mention what’s happening in the aesthetics space in Hollywood right now.

Other notable mentions included Heidi Klum’s truly wild living sculpture interpretation of The Veiled Vestal, Anok Yai’s beauty look, Troye Sivan’s on-brand Mapplethorpe cosplay with Prada, and the sheer amount of pretend nipples that emerged on Monday night.

Catch up on what else has been happening in fashion this week, below.

Here's what moms need (I know this from personal experience): 20 minutes in the morning so they can do their shake plate in peace without being asked 1,000 questions before 7:30 a.m., not to be walked in on while they're in the bathroom (doing whatever the hell they please, which may include scrolling in peace), and for their partner to put each kid to sleep at bedtime. What she wants for Mother's Day is a completely different story, though.

Coveteur asked 16 fashion and beauty moms what they're actually hoping to receive this Mother's Day. I'll go first.

"My husband asks our kids what they want to say in my Mother's Day cards and it's always hilarious what they write, so I love reading those each year, but then comes the reward I've earned for the mental mother load I (and we all) carry as moms...my favorite gift right now is a gift card from The RealReal, because, let's be honest, we're all scouring their pages daily for some treasure we might find!"

"It's funny, the more corporate and busy my life gets, the more I crave a slower, more intentional way of living. In my head, I'm fully in my Meghan Markle era, and what I want for Mother's Day reflects that. I'm drawn to beautiful, functional things for the home and kitchen, like a perfect Le Creuset set or anything that makes cooking feel like a ritual, not a task. I love gifts that elevate the everyday. The Flamingo Estate Garden Tour box is exactly that energy: it brings the garden into your home, with olive oil, honey, candles, and soaps that turn simple moments into something sensory and special."

"For Mother's Day, the two things that would feel most meaningful to me are experiences that I know truly give back to me, and in turn, to our family. It makes me a better mom, imo.

One is doing the Hoffman Process again. It was one of the most impactful gifts I've ever given myself and our relationship, especially doing it before deciding to become a parent. It helped me invest deeply in my mental and emotional health in a way I'll always value and advocate for. To this day, I'm getting thank you letters [from my community] saying the process has changed their life.

The other is returning to The Ranch Malibu. I've gone twice, and the second time I did it with Jacopo during Thanksgiving week and it was such a special, bonding experience. There's something really powerful about stepping away, hiking every day, eating clean, farm-to-table meals, and just being present. It's challenging at times (especially the longer hikes), but incredibly rewarding. I'd love to experience that again."

"I, of course, live for the drawings and creations my daughter gives me for Mother's Day and I'll treasure them always. She's been creating these little scrolls with beautiful messages on them that go right onto my altar to keep all the good energy flowing. But if I'm picking a gift! I'd love to have a Pilates reformer at home. They're actually beautiful and I know I'd use it every day between actual Pilates classes. This one is lovely."

"My ideal Mother's Day gift is breakfast in bed by my husband and all the kids cuddling up in bed with me and then a relaxing at-home massage appointment organized by my husband. I love the lymphatic drainage massages by Suelen, they're so powerful and enjoyable. She has a magic touch!"

"A vintage Bulgari Serpenti Watch, something timeless, iconic, and a little indulgent. The kind of piece you don't buy for yourself, but that makes you feel like you again the second you put it on."

"For Mother's Day I love notes from my cuties!!! Anything handmade or written isalways the thing I treasure most—these are the cards by kids always fill out. I do love to all get dressed up as a family and go to brunch 😊 I'll be wearing my new Chanel ballet flats for the occasion — also a great gift!"

"The gift I'd like for Mother's Day, for me, this year is actually what I'll be doing. I planned a trip with Kai and my mother. More and more, as years go by, I want to be closer to family, bonding with family, and I would say a trip with Kai because he loves to travel and I love seeing his little face exploring new things, new hotels, new countries and cultures. This year we're going to Costa Rica; I'm showing him where it is, the language that they speak there — and I already know I'm gonna have a great time with him and be fully present for him without looking at my phone or having any distractions, playing with him and exploring together… But more than any gift, what I would actually love from him is a flower. He always gives me a flower on Mother's Day, so I would like to keep that tradition."

"Motherhood comes with this quiet expectation that your needs move to the bottom. So, what I want for Mother's Day is something simple but radical — time for me. Whether it's a treatment, a walk, or just getting dressed up to go to lunch, it's less about the gift and more about being reminded I'm still me while also being a mother."

"Things on my Mother's Day wishlist: These John Hardy drop earrings—in general, I'm a fan of over-accessorizing (even in sweats, school drop off...unpopular opinion, but even during workouts/ in the ocean) because they make the everyday moments feel special and these in particular are enough of a statement while still feeling classic enough to be appropriate in every situation.

Quality time with my family...or Spread the Jelly (STJ) CARDS. Not to be cliche but I have everything I need—if anything, I just want more quality time with my loved ones. When creating this deck, we hand-selected questions from our interviews that successfully fostered deeper connections, encouraging people to drop their guard and open up. I use this at meal time with my family to get everyone off their phones, even as a journal prompt solo. I'm learning more about my loved ones (even my husband!), which is the greatest gift.

The practical gift: The Aiden Precision Coffee Maker I actually own this already at my weekend house and it's made my morning experience so much easier that I now want one for the city. It's also been my go-to gift for others (I just got my father-in-law one) because I believe everyone deserves to start their day with a really good cup of coffee."

"I already have these Tabis in brown, but I wear them every day of my life and want them in black and every color. The mini Phlur icons are also so good for moms on-the-go no matter how big or small their purses are. They're easy enough to store in a tiny bag and keep you smelling good all day long! Missing Person and Vanilla Skin are classics and icons that are a must for all mamas!"

"I am a Chanel Coco Crush day-one fan and quite frankly built out my collection that I now wear exclusively - I slowly stopped wearing my other pieces, not because I don't love them but I outgrew them. Their new necklace, a choker, which is adjustable in size around the neck but I love it to sit tight like a choker: the Coco Crush Supple Short Necklace in 18K beige gold is my ultimate dream present for this Mother's Day!"

"For me, the most meaningful gifts for Mother's Day are from the kids, by the kids. One year I got a frame with four polaroids and my son was holding up a different sign in each one: I, LOVE, YOU, MOM. And my husband framed them all together. It's up in our house. That's the kind of gift, freezing time, that means the most to me."

"The best gift for me is organization and a clear mind. I can tell you what I did want one Mother's Day and it was the best gift ever: my closet organized. My husband kindly got someone to come over from Neat Nest and her name is Meryl and she changed my life. This Mother's Day, though, I'd love for my kids to make me a proper photo album of the last year — I feel like I'm the one who is always putting together the reel for the birthday and we don't actually have an actual photo album. That and a pair of Saint Laurent loafers!"

“For Mother’s Day this year, I’d like a car detail and a stay at The Manner hotel. A clean ride and a design-driven, black-out shade hideaway where my family meets me the next day for breakfast and a trip to The Studio Museum. Also to be included, please: an Elsa Peretti bone cuff.”

The idea of Shop Girls began as an ode to the NYC girls working the floor whose style beckoned you in before the retail offering did. As time has passed, our Shop Girls series has evolved to include some of the creatives behind our favorite destinations, too. For our latest installment, things look a little bit different.

In a space on SoHo's Mott St between Prince and East Houston is Fruity Booty's souvenir shop—a retail pop-up that brings the London-based brand to New York City for the first weeks of May. Working the floor, is founder Hattie Tennant, and by her side for any creative needs, is creative director Jazz Mignone.

With roots in lingerie and a more recent expansion into swimwear and ready-to-wear, Fruity Booty is the colorful, it-girl-approved brand that makes us dream of warmer days. Tennant is the embodied reflection of the label she has lovingly build since 2018, as is Mignone, who instantly lends her creative eye to the images we take at the Mott St location, which is open until May 10th. Below, we get to know Tennant.

What inspired you to start the brand?

"I started it with a friend at uni—we lived in a house of eight girls—and there would always be a drying rack out and we always thought it was strange that no one had underwear that reflected their style or values—it was either something super comfortable/practical or overly sexy. At that time Victoria Secret was facing a huge backlash and sustainable fashion hadn’t quite become a thing yet. It just felt like something was missing, so we just decided to go for it."

You're in NYC for your pop up. Why is it important to you that you're working the floor for the pop ups?

"Honestly, I love it and it’s the most cost effective option, but also I get to actually meet our customers, see what they’re drawn to, hear what they think about the fit. You just can’t get that from behind a screen. And I think it’s important my team sees me doing it too."

What's your favorite thing about giving customers the opportunity to shop in person?

"I think just seeing people in real life - how they style things, what they gravitate towards. Also, no one really knows who I am, especially since I went from blonde to red, so I get to observe everything quite quietly… but I recognize a lot of our customers and it’s really nice seeing how their style has evolved with the brand."

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

"My team, always. They’re the best part of it. I’ve also always struggled a bit with confidence, so I love that we create something that’s just for you, that hopefully makes you feel really good in yourself."

Tell us about your personal style…

"I mostly copy Jazz and Rio to be honest."

Who are your style icons?

"The Mignones."

Tell us what your process is like getting ready/dressed in the morning…

"On work days it’s very repetitive—I live West and the studio’s in Hackney, so it’s a bit of a trek and I’m usually out the door early. I usually just throw on whatever’s closest: jeans, a baggy jumper. But on weekends I love taking a bit more time and actually thinking about it, trying things on, playing around a bit more."

Has Fruity Booty changed or influenced your style at all? Why/why not?

"Definitely. I used to be quite safe with color, and now it’s probably my favorite thing to play with."

How has Fruity Booty evolved over the years?

"In loads of ways. We’ve introduced swim and clothing, tried elevating things, then stripping them back again. I think there was a moment where we slightly lost our way and moved away from what actually makes the customer feel good-but that’s been a big learning. We also tried launching sleepwear, which wasn’t quite right, so we’re rethinking it and working on a better, more considered offering."

Katarina Zhu is a creative through and through—a New York born and bred multi-hyphenate and NYU Tisch School of the Arts graduate with a knack for bringing other artists together, creating intimate, character-driven stories, and accurately portraying women as complex, multi-dimensional beings.

In her directorial debut Bunnylovr, which she also wrote and which premiered at Sundance, she stars alongside Rachel Sennott and Jack Kilmer and tackles topics like toxic relationships, complex parental dynamics, and grief. When she's not acting, writing, editing, or directing, Zhu spends her time taking in art of all mediums (she tends to read two to three books at the same time–an easy read for when she's in transit, a book for before bed and another to read when she has enough brain space to hold only one thought in her head), lounging in Brooklyn parks, and getting lost in makeup tutorial videos—and, scrolling through her Instagram page, her affinity for vintage clothing is clear.

Ahead, Zhu unveils her browsing history to us: everything that she consumes, shops for, and binges in her limited spare time.

Where Are You From?

From: the suburbs of New York

Located: Brooklyn, NY

What's Entertaining You?

Watching:

Margo's Got Money Troubles: "It's impossible to take your eyes off Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer. They are a total powerhouse duo and the rest of the cast is filled out with so many amazing, up & coming actors like Lindsey Normington."

Gerry by Gus Van Sant: "I recently rewatched Elephant as inspiration for my next movie which is about highschoolers. It's amazing how choreographed and precise the cinematography is in that movie–it made me want to watch every Gus Van Sant + Harris Savides collab so next up is Gerry."

Reading:

"I usually have two to three books going at a time: an easy read for when I’m in transit, a book for before bed and another to read when I have enough time / brain space to hold only one thought in my head. Right now those books are:

'Bad Dreams (a collection of short stories)' by Tessa Hadley for the train.

'The Agony of Eros' by Byung-Chul Han—I'm a sucker for any book about love.

My friend Nicole has been sending me passages from Catherine Breillat’s book 'I Only Believe in Myself: Conversation with Murielle Joudet' so I’m sort of reading that vicariously through her… must get a copy for myself soon.

Obviously I also devoured Lena Dunham’s 'Famesick' in two days."

Listening: "'Blue Light' by Kelela. The synth bass or whatever @ :55s ….. cat heart eye emoji x 1000.. Her best song imo. INIMITABLE."

What's In Your Cart?

Ugg Classic Mini's in Chestnut: "Have coveted these since 8th grade when all of the very popular girls in school wore them."

KLUR Brilliant Light Vitamin C Serum: "I love this brand so much. One day my whole skincare lineup will be KLUR but for now, I settle for buying their Supreme Seed mask twice a year."

Dracula shirt: "This is my favorite shirt and I wear it every single day until it has completely disintegrated and I’m afraid to be without it so I just keep scouring the internet for the exact same vintage Dracula shirt and buying them all up."

Slip silk pillowcase in blue: "Good for skin and hair allegedly but I just love the way it feels—very luxe."

What Are You Browsing?

TheRealReal: "If I'm bored, I'll window shop online on The RealReal. I'm a RealReal stan. It's the best because the pictures are so cut and dry. When I get an item, it's usually exactly how it was pictured on the website."

@party_peas2 on TikTok: "The best account on TikTok. Just cartoon fruit and veg dancing to different songs. So wholesome."

@easternphilosophy on TikTok: "This or really any Instagram or TikTok account that's all about Traditional Chinese Medicine. They know what they're talking about and I trust them with my life. My mom always used to say your body is like a pharmacy. It has everything it needs within it to heal and it's just about which levers you're pulling on."

What Are You Saving?

Rick Owens talking about work: "I love these little motivational / inspirational clips or graphics that are just like a quote from a successful person about how to achieve success in their field–even if it doesn’t apply to me at all or if it’s so corny or if I think they have no idea what they’re talking about. I think it’s interesting how people create this narrative around how / why they’ve achieved their success."

Makeup tutorials: "I recently had my glam done twice in one week and I’m addicted now so trying to learn how to beat my own face and saving every makeup tutorial I come across."

Heaven Knows What poster: "I was compulsively saving movie posters as reference for the poster of my film Bunnylovr and this was one of the main ones. Amazing poster designed by David Rudnik."

We've certainly come a long way from the days of tiny sunglasses. Now, it's all about bug-eyes, oversized structured frames and now, the runway co-signed trend of the season, shields. Very much in line with a general Y2K resurgence, shield sunglasses feel like an homage to a time where everyone's celebrity crushes were Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys, the masses tuned in weekly to watch The Simple Life and One Tree Hill, and ultra low-rise jeans were all the rage—the lower, the better.

We've seen a general nostalgia for eras past on recent runways, so Balenciaga, Loewe, Stella McCartney, and MM6 Maison Margiela all embracing shield sunglasses isn't too surprising. And, you know a trend is really a trend when it's co-signed by Rihanna—that's just a fact.

On Balenciaga's Spring/Summer 2026 runway, several looks were accessorized with shield sunglasses: a black leather top paired with black pants, an off-white dress over black trousers, a brown leather jacket paired with long, baggy denim shorts, and more. This variety of pairings made the versatility of the style clear, as well as the style's ability add an element of mystery, futurism, and intrigue to any look.

Over at MM6 Maison Margiela's Spring/Summer 2026 show, the shields were slimmer and more rectangular. But unlike the tiny sunglasses we all knew and loved back in 2017-2019, these frames covered a lot of ground. They were paired floral tops, sheer skirts, dresses with bright-colored bikinis peaking through, light blue suits, and truly any style or aesthetic that you could picture. Once again, a case was made for the shield sunglasses as a versatile, outfit completing accessory.

On Loewe's Spring/Summer 2026 runways, shield sunglasses were accessorized with blue detailing and paired with green mini dresses and yellow shoes, with cardigans draped and wrapped around the shoulders and nothing underneath, sleek green leather jackets, and so much more.

The shield sunglasses on Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2026 runway were a bit more rounded and nuanced. And, paired only with oversized suiting with distinct pointy shoulders, they very much meant business.

All in all, shield sunglasses provide both a futuristic element and give a nod to the past—and can be paired with quite literally anything.

Shop The Trend:

Miu Miu Rectangular Sunglasses

Rick Owens Shield Aviator-Style Acetate Sunglasses

Loewe Mask-Frame Metal Sunglasses

Gucci D-Frame Acetate Sunglasses

Oliver Peoples x Khaite Wraparound Sunglasses

The Met Gala is inarguably fashion's biggest night of the year. The first Monday of May, entertainment's brightest gather on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's steps to celebrate fashion, art, and our most-lauded designers of the moment. And while the larger houses often have the biggest tables and presence, once in a while, someone else will cut through the noise with their designs alone. This year, that someone was Robert Wun, the Hong Kong born couturier responsible for countless best-dressed moments on the 2026 Met Gala red carpet.

In honor of Wun's incredible red carpet sweep—and that Met curator Andrew Bolton has added three of Wun’s works to the exhibition’s permanent collection—here are six things to know about the designer who won this year's Met Gala.

1. He Made His Runway Debut On The Paris Couture Calendar

Back in 2023, Robert Wun recieved a unanimous vote from the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, which fast-tracked the London-based designer to show his first-ever runway show on the official Haute Couture calendar at Paris Fashion Week. After graduating from the London College of Fashion and launching his namesake brand in 2014, Wun's career changed overnight after mentorship from Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s President of Fashion, and glowing endorsements from other high-profile fashion industry folks. He is also the first designer from Hong Kong to ever be on the couture calendar.

2. He's Behind Naomi Osaka's Viral Australian Open Look

Naomi Osaka has always had a strong tie to fashion, but when she arrived at the 2026 Australian Open in January, her veiled on-court look caused quite a stir. Collaborating with Wun, the tennis player wore a tiered, pleated mini skirt layered over wide-legged trousers, topped with a gauzy veil that floated from a white wide-brimmed hat. She accessorized with a parasol, which was adorned with butterflies (as was the hat).

3. His First Met Gala Was In 2023

One thing about Robert Wun is that his ties to female athletes is strong. In 2023, the designer's first foray into a Met look was with Eileen Gu, the skier and Olympic medalist who wore a white satin wine stained wedding gown designed by the couturier.

4. This Year, He Focused On Sculpture

For this year's Met Gala, Wun undertook the massive task of creating custom looks for eight attendees, including Lisa Manoban, Naomi Osaka, and Jordan Roth. Across the multiple looks, a theme emerged of limbs and hands. For Manoban's look, Wun's team created 3D-scans of her arms, draping them in an embellished veil inspired by traditional Thai dance positions. For Roth, his high necked velvet gown was accompanied by a mannequin-like sculpture embracing him from behind. Thai consultant and editor Nichapat Suphap wore a black mermaid silhouette gown, which was reportedly inspired by Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam fresco painting. Together with kinetic artist Casey Curran, the artist created the moving hands that were pinned across the bodice. 

5. Naomi Osaka's Look Was A Meditation On Anatomy, Exposed

Building on his Spring 2023 couture language for Osaka's 2026 Met Gala look, Wun returned to the exploration of garments that appear sliced open to reveal what sits beneath. On the carpet, Osaka arrived in a structured white coat with feathered details erupting from the openings to mimic blood. At the top of the steps, Osaka then removed her coat, revealing a red, sequin dress in an abstract interpretation of human anatomy, aligning with the exhibition ideas of “The Naked Body” and “The Classic Body.” The dress itself consisted of 659,000 stitches of intricate embroidery and thousands of faceted Swarovski crystals in four shades of red, totalling over 3,280 hours of handwork.

His Signature Themes Focus On Destruction, Fantasy, And The Body

Throughout all of his collections, you will find Robert Wun signatures that consist of distressed dresses that have been victim to burn marks or blood spills, sculptural silhouettes that either expose the body or emphasize the body, and fantastical shapes that transport you to another realm. These are the ways in which Wun explores visibility and liberation within fashion and design, through boundary-defying couture that bends our understanding of what is possible and acceptable, making his work perfectly fitting with this year's Met Gala theme.

Through iconic red carpet moments and designs that demonstrate true artistry, our concept of naked-dressing is constantly expanding. Months ago, the trend and term would've perhaps been limited to just entirely sheer dresses—now, the category has expanded to include illusions and insinuations of nudity, major cutouts and more. More or less, a naked dress is whatever you want it to be.

While some red carpets have banned naked-dressing altogether, the Met Gala is yet to set rules or limitations—and, therefore, creativity is embraced and the it-girls are showing off their bodies. Team Coveteur consists of true naked dress aficionados who stand firmly in the belief that it might just be the ultimate power move. With this Met Gala's theme being "Costume Art" and the dress code being "Fashion As Art," designers, stylists, and stars used the body as a canvas and explored how we dress ourselves.

Ahead, the naked dresses that defined the 2026 Met Gala red carpet.

Kate Moss

Kate Moss wore a black sheer lace Saint Laurent gown with a tie detail at the waist.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz walked the carpet in another black sheer lace look by Saint Laurent. This dress featured wide structured hips, long sleeves, and a bit of a plunging neckline.

Doechii

Doechii arrived in deep plum Marc Jacobs wrap dress that left a lot of skin exposed. And, she notably arrived barefoot with Henna adorned feet.

Simone Ashley

Simone Ashley wore a draped Stella McCartney dress constructed out of nothing but silver chains.

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid's custom sheer Miu Miu dress drew inspiration from the house's Spring 1999 and 2011 collections. The hotfix crystal embellished base featured flame patches in a few spots to prevent this from being an entirely naked dress.

Tyla

Tyla wore a custom Valentino look: a top made out of diamond chains and a turquoise drop waist skirt.

Alex Consani

Alex Consani's Gucci look consisted of a black feathery skirt and nude sheer corset bodice.

Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner wore a custom Schiaparelli look designed to appear like a dress coming undone. The corset top was nude and featured faux nipples underneath as well as a belly button detail.

Yesterday evening, Tessa Thompson stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet with a major case of the blues—a royal-blue custom Valentino gown with swirly cutouts, to be more specific. Her structural dress was a work of art, her hair was sleek and glossy in a wet look by Lacy Redway, the fingers on her left her hand were intentionally dipped in a blue pigment by manicurist Mei Kawaljiri, and the glam, courtesy of Michael Anthony, tied everything—the dress, the theme, and everything that fashion's biggest night calls for—together.

Hours before, the vibes in her hotel room were high, with jazz music setting the tone. "The energy is always lovely and warm [as we're getting ready]," Anthony says. "Very classy, lots of laughs, but we’re definitely focused and we’re being meticulous because Met Gala is so public and so photographed." For her makeup look, he used a vinyl lid to nod at using paint as a medium for expression: "The texture of the eyelids reminds me of oil paint before it dries," he says.

When it comes to creating a look, Anthony and Thompson have gotten it down to an easy flow—they both have an appreciation for tones, textures, and general artistry, so the process tends to begin with a conversation, followed by reference photos and sketches. "I think one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle is staying super open and not having an ego about making changes or pivoting to different ideas," Anthony says.

All of the creatives behind this look seemed to have paint on the mind. "Tessa’s dress reminded of a splash of paint or dripping Klein blue paint, so I wanted there to be an element of wetness, which is why I used that effect on the eyelids and kept everything else toasty and bronze," Anthony says. He achieved the notable bronzy glow through the use of the Spike Valentino Buttery Matte Lipstick in the shade 'put a spike on it' and a good amount of buffing with two shades of Valentino's Eye2Cheek powder. "I get in the zone when I’m painting, and I love this type of red carpet buttery, sculpted look," Anthony says. "I’ve been doing this particular type of makeup for so long now and I love how it’s evolved."

As for products or tools that this look would've been impossible to achieve, the Very Valentino Concealer (two shades, MR1 and DN1, mixed for the perfect coverage) was essential for a glowy base and the Spike Valentino Disco Balm in 'Rose In The Woods' provided a glowy lip, but the Valentino Brow Trio Eyebrow Liner in taupe and brown were no-brainers for Anthony. "They came in clutch for this look!" he says. "I love the flat thin blade to draw in and fill the brow shape, and I become very fond of the very fine tip liquid marker on the other end for individual flicks of hair." Because for an event as iconic as the Met Gala, all of the seemingly small details matter—including individual strands of brow hair.

The 2026 Met Gala has come and gone, leaving us with enough artful beauty inspo to last until at least the first Monday in May, 2027. While the Met Gala red carpet was resplendent with elevated fashion looks, the accompanying glam was nothing to scoff at. Amidst the seasonal, cyclical spring makeup trends and red carpet beauty staples—lookin’ at you, smokey halo eyes—we were treated to some standout beauty trend resurgences we’re hoping to emulate all summer long. As is often the case, Black women led the charge, serving up high contrast lip-lined looks and textured metallics that evoked glam from decades past. 

It’s no secret that women of color, particularly Black women, are tastemakers when it comes to fashion and beauty. It is also no secret that their innovations tend to be overlooked, scorned, or ignored until picked up and repackaged for and by white women. Did we mention this has been going on since before TikTok influencers “discovered” beauty hacks BIPOC women have been doing for decades? Full lips, glossy skin, no-makeup makeup, as well as the bold lip looks that dominated last night’s Met Gala red carpet are just a few beauty trends that can trace their origins back to women of color. 

Many of these trends began not simply through innovation, but due to necessity. Sure, 40+ shades of foundation is now the industry standard, but it wasn’t so long ago that Black women could not chase beauty trends because makeup for their skin tones simply did not exist. But there is something inherently magical about Black women’s ability to turn a lack of access into a thing of beauty. It is even more affirming to see these Black beauty staples appear on, arguably, fashion’s most opulent, famed, and trendsetting red carpet. 

This isn’t to say that folks of all skin tones can’t serve in brown liner or a frosty metallic lip, but it is vital to remember that these showstopping Met Gala beauty moments were brought to us first and foremost by Black women who stepped onto red carpets 30 years ago with their heads held high, despite not having access to makeup made for them. Nevertheless, they persisted. And so, it turned out, did their makeup looks.

Ahead, the latest iterations and throwback origins of the brightest and boldest 2026 Met Gala beauty looks.

Brown Lip Liner

Buckle up, babes. We’re heading back to the '90s, an era when trendsetting Black women like Lil’ Kim, Naomi Campbell, Brandy, and their makeup artists made do with limited shade ranges by using brown and black eyeliner to line their lips. Decades later, the dual-toned lip kit rose to prominence as part of the baking, crease-cutting, brow-filling more-is-more beauty trends of 2018 and beyond. It’s been seen on red carpets and runways ever since. 

On the 2026 Met Gala red carpet, Laura Harrier and Teyana Taylor captured the high contrast magic of a pale nude lip paired with bold brown liner, while Coco Jones’ makeup artist Diana Shin opted for a softly resplendent nearly nude lip that emphasized Jones’ natural lip color for a look that felt a little vibey, a little retro, and a lot like a reclamation.

Ombre Lips

SZA and Keke Palmer brought the drama to the 2026 Met Gala with high-impact ombre lips. Palmer’s vivid red look, created by makeup artist Kenya Alexis using Danessa Myricks' namesake brand (herself a champion of and for women of color in the beauty industry), started scarlet in the center before blending into a deep mauve for a flawless, yet soft focus look with polished and vampy vibes.

Sophie Sinot dipped into a different, though no less impactful, color palette to create a glossy and glittering cool-toned ombre on SZA in shades of purple and pink. It was reminiscent of '90s-era Brandy, with a dash of late ‘90s and Y2K girlishness. Much like unblended brown lip liner, the ombre lip trend can trace its roots beyond its 2018 more-is-more resurgence, when we all collectively agreed that 45 minutes was not too much time to spend on a bold lip look.

Metallic Textures

The richly-frosted metallic lips spotted on Doechii, Anok Yai, and Rihanna at the Met Gala can trace their roots back to the '90s hip-hop scene. Much like bold, brown lip liner, frosted and shimmery lip looks came from a lack of access to “nude” toned lip products that matched deep skin tones (If you’ve ever tried a too-pale-for-you nude lip color, you know what we’re talking about) and undertones. While Rihanna’s own Fenty Beauty helped turn the tide towards more inclusive color cosmetics, there were decades before when "nude" meant beige and pink. 

Without true nude options that could blend into the natural lip colors of Black and brown women, stars of the time worked with what they had, leaning into the contrast instead of trying to conceal it. The result was a frosted look that leaned more towards metallic shine than pop girlie shimmer, which seemed to suit the edgier vibes of music’s leading ladies at the time.

Fast forward to the 2026 Met Gala and the metallic tradition took on new levels of glam, featuring tonal shifts and gilded textures that elevated metallics from a trend to an art. Ever the boundary-pushing beauty innovator, Anok Yai went for a metallic makeup look, crafted by makeup artist Sheika Daley, who added a diffused gold pigment from Yai's cupid’s bow all the way up to her hairline and down her décolletage, blending into bronze and taking on new tones until Yai was transformed into a living work of art.  Meanwhile, Doechii arrived at the Met Gala in another softly-shining and luminous look, created by celebrity makeup artist Chelsea Uchenna, who used subtle shades of rose-gold to highlight Doechii’s natural lip shape and color. 

While the very nature of trends is cyclical—what once trends will return again and again…and again—there’s a unique joy in seeing beauty looks created in defiance and out of necessity come roaring back onto the scene, created with products designed to celebrate Black women, who are so often the true, but not cited, source of mainstream beauty trends. Seeing these Black women-led trends take center stage on fashion’s biggest night out was nothing short of a triumph and reminder that our culture is, always, the moment.

Amelia Gray is the epitome of Anthony Vaccarello's Saint Laurent girl: sexy, sultry, and the life of the party. She gets ready to the soundtrack of Lana Del Rey, Hannah Montana, Addison Rae, and the H2O theme song (IYKYK) before slipping into none other than custom Saint Laurent for the biggest fashion night of the year—for this year's Met Gala, the dress was black and sheer in all the right places. "The body is the medium, not the outfit. This look lives in the tension of in-between: reveal and conceal, softness and strength. It allows my body to exist as both the accessory and the art," Gray said ahead of the red carpet. "There’s a fragility to it, but also a quiet power. Light femininity meets something darker, more emotional. To me, this is what femininity really is the coexistence of all our versions at once. This is my interpretation of a modern goddess."

For makeup artist Sam Visser, balancing what he knows and loves about Vaccarello's Saint Laurent with soft ethereal elements was top of mind. The inspiration for this years Met Gala look began with Botticelli paintings. "A lot of our mood board was paintings and a lot of renaissance art," Visser says. "Botticelli paintings and very ethereal references. We were really inspired by the way water looked in paintings and the colors that were used." The goal was simple: to make Amelia Gray look like a mermaid on land, while providing a synergy between Saint Laurent and YSL beauty. "I'm a huge fan of what Anthony does for Saint Laurent," Visser says."So I was kind of taking the aspects of my insight of the ready-to-wear brand and mixing it together with what YSL Beauty is about and trying to make that as organic of a synergy as possible." So, for this glam, it was all about reflection and highlights on her eyes, lips, and cheeks. First, YSL's soon to be released Skin Affair foundation provided a glowy base. Then, the All Hours Hyper Bronzer and All Hours Luminize Highlighter really went to work. On the lips, the Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick in scenic brown and Loveshine Lip Oil Gloss worked together to plump, define, and offer a glassy finish.

For a bit of extra ethereal energy, Visser whipped up what he refers to as the 'reverse smoky eye': "On her eyes, I used all the palest, lightest tones to kind of reflect the light and bring brightness to the face and the body," he says.

In terms of collaboration, Visser and Gray have the special type of relationship where photos are constantly texted back and forth. For this look for example, photos of abalone shells were shared through text—there was no confusion, but rather an immediate understanding and mutual willingness to experiment and play. "I can send a picture of shell to her and she'll be like 'yes, that's the reference,'" Visser says. "Abalone shells and the color variations within those were one of our biggest references for the makeup tonight."

The look would not have been complete without a good, defined lash curl—and a little touch of YSL's Lash Latex for definition purposes. The end result was a character the duo created together through art and nature references, and listened to music to get into the mindset of before sending Amelia on her way: regal, mermaid-esque, sexy, and ultra feminine.

Somewhere between midnight and 2am on the first Monday in May, celebrities leave their hotel rooms once again, having changed out of their Met Gala looks into something a little more comfortable, and descend upon New York City to attend a host of afterparties until the wee hours of the morning.

Last night was no different, as the stars slipped out of their custom gowns and suits, they slipped into the doors of Zero Bond, Cafe Zaffri, Monsieur and more to unwind from the chaos of the night. At Saint Laurent's party, hosted by Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz, stars like Hailey Bieber, Charli XCX, and Rosé arrived to support, while over at Monsieur, Baz Luhrmann celebrated the annual fashion holiday in the company of Hunter Schafer and Sombr.

Ahead, see all of the best Met Gala 2026 afterparty looks.