Leave it to a seasoned professional like Tommy Hilfiger to ace even the most nerve-wracking red carpet of the year with ease, even when dressing nine guests. For last night’s festivities, the designer and his wife Dee tapped a new generation of icons - the actress Madelyn Cline and the K-Pop boy group Stray Kids - to represent his namesake label on the famed steps of the Met Gala, and did so with success.
Clyne, for her part, wore a white silk taffeta romantic shirt dress, making a stealth nod to the brand’s heritage whilst also winking to the night’s dress code (‘The Garden of Time’), with floral and vine motifs ranking up the voluminous skirt.
Stray Kids, the boy band consisting of eight members, took the staircase in a sleek formation, rendered in Hilfiger's signature colours red, white and blue, and going from wearing matching overcoats to revealing a coordinated flurry of razor-sharp Hilfiger tailoring.
But what makes a successful Met Gala look? Having attended many Met red carpets over the years, Hilfiger has the answer. ‘A great red-carpet look is more than just fashion; it’s about making a bold statement. You need an epic moment, something unforgettable that keeps people talking,’ he tells Grazia. ‘It needs to be personal to make it memorable, reflecting the individual style of the guest and radiating with charisma and authenticity.’
‘I eagerly anticipate each year's theme, infusing it with our Classic American Cool DNA and brainstorming unforgettable looks for our iconic guests. Stepping into the event is like entering a fashion dream, witnessing our creations on the red carpet amid creativity and excitement—it’s an endlessly inspiring experience,’ he continues.
A sentiment which Dee echoes, ‘It’s the mix of personalities and backgrounds that creates an electric atmosphere and makes for an unforgettable evening,’ she says. ‘A good table is one that brings together individuals from various fields in fashion and entertainment, each contributing their unique perspectives and talents to the conversation.’
Leave it to the Hilfigers to create a viral Met moment that stands the test of time, they know what they’re talking about.