When we talk about the Met Gala, most people immediately jump to Rihanna or Zendaya. Maybe they think of Kim Kardashian squeezed into a Marilyn Monroe dress. But honestly? If you’re not talking about Solange at the Met Gala, you’re missing the actual point of the event. While others show up to look pretty, Solange shows up to make you think, gasp, and occasionally google "is that a sleeping bag?"
She doesn’t just wear clothes; she constructs narratives. Whether it’s a durag under a braided halo or a dress that looks like a giant, shimmering oyster, her presence is a masterclass in avant-garde Black excellence.
The Look That Broke the Internet (Before the Elevator Did)
Back in 2014, Solange showed up in a custom, peach-colored Philip Lim dress. It was sleek, it was 1920s-coded, and she looked radiant. But let’s be real: nobody remembers the dress because of the dress. They remember it because of what happened afterward in the Standard Hotel elevator.
For years, the world theorized about why she lunged at Jay-Z while Beyoncé stood by like a statue. Was it infidelity? Was it a family dispute? Recently, in late 2025, fashion designer Oscar G. Lopez dropped a bombshell that puts a whole new spin on that night. He claimed the spark was actually—wait for it—a fashion compliment.
Apparently, Jay-Z praised a black lace gown worn by designer Rachel Roy (who Solange was already wary of). Solange reportedly felt the comment was inappropriate, and well, the rest is surveillance footage history. It’s wild to think that a night dedicated to "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" ended in a moment that was entirely about the friction behind the fashion.
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The Evolution of the "Cool Sister" Style
If 2014 was about the drama, the years that followed were about Solange asserting herself as the undisputed heavyweight of the Met steps.
- 2015 (China: Through the Looking Glass): She wore a Giles Deacon dress that was basically a giant circular disc. It looked like a fan, a geode, or perhaps a shield against small talk. You couldn't even see her arms!
- 2016 (Manus x Machina): In a sea of silver robots, she went canary yellow. The David Laport pleated dress was paired with matching yellow latex stirrups. It was weird, it was bright, and it was exactly what the "Fashion in an Age of Technology" theme needed.
- 2017 (Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons): This was the year of the puffer. She wore a Thom Browne parka-style gown with a massive train and—wait for it—shoes that looked like ice skates. People made memes calling it a "sleeping bag," but fashion critics knew she was one of the few who actually understood Kawakubo’s rebellious spirit.
Solange at the Met Gala 2018: A Religious Experience
The 2018 theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." This is arguably her magnum opus. While everyone else wore literal crosses and angel wings, Solange went deeper.
She collaborated with Iris van Herpen on a structural, liquid-looking black dress. But the magic was in the accessories. She wore a braided halo that framed her face, but instead of gold or jewels, it was accented with a black durag.
"My inspiration was the Black Madonna... all of the black and African saints," she told Liza Koshy on the carpet.
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The back of the durag featured the phrase "My God wears a durag." It wasn't just a style choice; it was a reclamation of sacred space for Black identity. It challenged the Eurocentric lens of the Catholic Church by placing a symbol of Black protection and grooming on the most prestigious red carpet in the world.
Why Her Style Works (and Yours Might Not)
Solange's approach to the Met is academic. She doesn't just hire a stylist; she researches. She understands that the Met Gala isn't a "prom for celebrities"—it's a costume exhibit.
Most stars play it safe because they want to be on the "Best Dressed" lists in grocery store magazines. Solange doesn't care about that. She wants to be in the history books. She leans into "ugly-pretty" aesthetics—proportions that shouldn't work, fabrics that look uncomfortable, and colors that clash with the carpet.
How to Channel the Solange Energy
You probably aren't getting an invite to Anna Wintour's party anytime soon. That's okay. But you can still apply the "Solo Philosophy" to your own wardrobe or creative projects:
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- Ignore the "Flattering" Rule: Solange often wears shapes that hide her silhouette. If you love a piece of clothing but think it makes you look "boxy," wear it anyway. Volume is a power move.
- Monochrome is Your Friend: Notice how she often sticks to one color (all yellow, all black, all white) but plays with texture. It creates a cohesive "vibe" without being distracting.
- Subvert the Theme: If you're going to a themed event, don't do the obvious thing. If it's "90s," don't just wear a flannel shirt; wear something inspired by 90s architecture or a specific niche subculture.
- Accessories are the Thesis Statement: A durag, a halo, or a pair of ice-skating boots can turn a "dress" into a "concept."
What We Can Expect Next
As we look toward future galas, the bar for Solange is sky-high. She’s moved past being "Beyoncé’s sister" and become a pillar of the art world in her own right. Her Met Gala history proves that she is less of a pop star and more of a performance artist who happens to use the red carpet as her gallery.
If you want to dive deeper into her visual language, I'd suggest looking at the "A Seat at the Table" digital book or the "When I Get Home" film. You'll see the same DNA there that you see on the Met steps: a love for Houston, a respect for minimalism, and an obsession with architectural shapes.
Next Steps for the Aspiring Fashion Enthusiast:
- Watch: The Heavenly Bodies documentary to see the level of craftsmanship that goes into these garments.
- Research: Iris van Herpen's 3D-printing techniques to understand how Solange's 2018 look was actually built.
- Audit: Your own closet. Identify one "safe" item and think about how you could style it to be more "sculptural" and less "traditional."
Solange doesn't just attend the Met Gala. She colonizes it. And honestly, we're just lucky to be living in the same timeline.