The Met Gala, for most, is an opportunity to be seen. For the legend that is Diana Ross, however, it's more of a family affair. The 81 year-old arrived at tonight's Met Gala, where the theme of the evening and accompanying exhibition is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, with Evan Ross, her grandson and, also, the designer of her dress.
Ross's look was created in collaboration with Ugo Mozie. The Nigerian designer's label, Eleven Sixteen, has dressed the likes of Blue Ivy, Met Gala co-chair Colman Domingo, John Legend, and Lena Waithe. For tonight's Met Gala, the creative duo pulled out all the stops, with a spectacular gown that required not one, not two but what looked to be six suited-and-booted assistants to carry its magnificent train up the red carpet. Photographers positioned either side behind walls of flowers were able to get a closer look at the 18-foot length of fabric as it draped in white folds down the stairs, picking up on the fact that it was embellished with rather sentimental names in rhinestones: those of her family members.
Two of them were there on the night. Evan Ross accompanied his grandmother, of course, while her daughter Tracee Ellis Ross, who looked all kinds of fabulous in custom Marc Jacobs, is always one of the most directionally outfitted attendees at the Met Gala.
When did Diana Ross last attend the Met Gala?
Diana Ross left 22 years between this year's appearance and her last, which was 2003's Met Gala, with a theme of Goddess: The Classical Mode. When she last attended the event, she was 59 years old - she's back again now aged 81.
With that spangled dress, feathered hat and coat-slash-train that could drape for days, let's all hope that she doesn't leave it quite so long again.
Natalie Hammond is senior fashion news editor at Grazia. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).