One year after making a splash with her Met Gala debut, South African music star Tyla made a powerful return to fashion’s biggest night — and she did not disappoint. The 23-year-old “Water” hitmaker once again became one of the most talked-about celebrities at the 2025 Met Gala, stunning the crowd with a dramatic and glamorous look that paid tribute to the late fashion legend André Leon Talley.
According to People Magazine, Tyla was styled by none other than Law Roach, the famed fashion architect behind some of Zendaya and Nicki Minaj’s most iconic looks. For this year’s Met Gala theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Roach dressed Tyla in a breathtaking custom design by Jacquemus — a navy pinstripe gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a perfectly tailored corseted bodice. The standout feature? A coordinating oversized jacket with a sweeping train so long it cascaded down multiple steps as she made her grand entrance.
But Tyla’s dramatic fashion statement didn’t stop there. She also sparkled in custom Pandora jewelry, showcasing more than 30 carats of lab-grown diamonds. As a newly appointed brand ambassador for Pandora (announced in April), Tyla wore menswear-inspired pieces, including a 6-carat heart pendant from the ME chain and Talisman collection. The pendant featured a bespoke diamond-set monocle with a special magnifying lens — a perfect nod to both high fashion and artistic creativity.
Her transformation for the evening included a bold new hairstyle: a honey blonde pixie cut styled with voluminous waves, adding a modern twist to vintage glam. Her makeup, created by Pat McGrath Labs, completed the look with a sultry flair.
“For Tyla’s makeup, we were channeling vintage Hollywood glamour — icons like Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge and Jean Harlow — with a modern twist. The look focused on sultry smokey eyes using warm nudes and deep browns,” shared makeup artist Pat McGrath in a press release.
Jacquemus also celebrated the opportunity to dress Tyla for such a high-profile event. The brand described the custom ensemble as a creative mix of tradition and innovation. “Honored to be a part of this incredible night, celebrating ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’,” the designer shared. “For the Met Gala, @Tyla’s corseted, crisp poplin dress is paired with an oversized men’s shirt, both finely pinstriped with sequined threads and transparent crystals, with a surrealist touch coming through in the irregular and raw embroidery details, adorned with delicate crystal fil coupé embellishments.”
The fashion house further explained that Tyla’s look was a tribute to André Leon Talley, celebrating the elegance of classic Black tailoring while embracing a surrealist edge that reflects Jacquemus’ artistic spirit. Tyla’s Met Gala return proves she is not just a music powerhouse but a rising icon in fashion as well.
