This year’s Met Gala was a historic moment for designer Dapper Dan and his partnership with Gucci. Attending for the first time as a table host, Dap made custom looks for industry vets like Bevy Smith and Bethann Hardison, plus celebrities like Ashley Graham and Regina Hall.
Jamie McCarthyGetty Images
For Hall, this was a special night as well. “It’s an exciting time to be able to share this historical moment with people who continue to do incredible work and inspire others,” said told ELLE.com. “What was important for me was for the look to express Dapper Dan’s legacy and creativity and I wanted the look to SCREAM! I feel amazing but most importantly I feel proud! Proud to share this moment in history with Dapper Dan.”
Dressed in a custom Dapper Dan look—a Gucci black, gold, and silver jacquard dress with gold bustier, pink and gold GG lurex sleeves with crystal bee details on the train—the actress also has stylists Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald (otherwise known as Wayman and Micah) to thank for her gown.
“We wanted to create something very special that celebrates the legacy and the history of what Dapper Dan has done for our culture,” says stylist Wayman. “We wanted to have something that was very special, very him, and very unapologetic to what he has done for us.” Adds Micah, “The Dapper Dan team was excited to work with us in particular as this was the first time Dapper Dan has done a gown. And to marry that opulence with the Dapper Dan aesthetic was an exciting challenge for them.”
“We wanted this look to be a celebration of who she is. As a seasoned actor who’s continue to evolve, transcend, and break barriers,” said Wayman. “We really wanted this moment to speak to who she is, where she’s been, and where she’s going but still showing heritage to celebrating a Black American actress.”
Though he recently told ELLE.com he couldn’t have pictured this moment as a kid, Dap clearly knows what he’s doing. “Working with these genius stylists was so amazing,” he shared. “Those guys have so much personality and so much vision. They made my job just absolutely–almost effortless. These guys are incredible. They got the feel of everything we needed to do, and we got it.”
