The Ingenious Creation

Amelia Gray Hamlin’s Met Gala dress is no ordinary fashion piece. The Undercover spring 2024 design features an intricate light-up terrarium encased in a screw-on structure, making it both an engineering marvel and a statement piece. As the sister of the live-plant adorned runway version, Hamlin’s gown was part of a homage to Jun Takahashi’s creative brilliance.

The Vogue Collaboration

• Vogue Editors: Five editors were involved in orchestrating this fashion feat, ensuring every detail aligned with the theme and execution.
• A Stylist: Danyul Brown played a pivotal role, flying across continents to fit the dress perfectly on Hamlin.
• Assistants & Messenger: A dedicated team of assistants and a messenger ensured seamless transitions from studio fittings to the glamorous event.
• A Publicist: Kept everyone informed, ensuring that this remarkable fashion moment stayed at the forefront of media attention.
• A Hotel Electrician: Played an unexpected yet crucial role in troubleshooting last-minute technical difficulties with the dress’s lighting system.
• An It-Girl Model: Amelia Gray Hamlin herself, rising as a fashion force, embraced the challenge head-on, making history at the Met Gala.

The Journey to the Met

When first approached by Vogue to wear this avant-garde dress, Gray’s initial reaction was one of skepticism. “How am I going to wear that?” she recalled laughing about her initial thoughts. Yet, her excitement quickly took over as the allure and challenge of donning such a groundbreaking design appealed to her adventurous spirit.

The Fitting Room Chronicles

Hamlin’s styling session at Vogue was filled with anticipation and nerves. “Everyone was so quiet,” she reminisced, waiting for the dress to fit. But once it did, chaos ensued in the best possible way as fashion industry leaders from Vogue became mechanics, fastening screws and draping tulle.

Met Gala Day: The Ultimate Test

The day of the Met Gala brought its share of challenges. After delays, the dress finally arrived at the Carlyle Hotel only in time for a rushed final fitting. Brown humorously noted that they didn’t test the lights until it was too late, necessitating the intervention of an electrician.

Overcoming Fashion Engineering Challenges

• The Weighty Issue: The dress’s heft required Hamlin to don hip pads, a testament to its solid engineering. “The posing with my hands on my hips is really mostly me holding it up,” she shared.
• Staircase Heroics: With assistance from Buchanan and Lucas, the pair that went viral for helping another celebrity, Hamlin made her ascent up the Met steps.

The Final Look: Triumph at the Gala

In a final twist of fate, Hamlin forgot to bring her screwdriver backstage. However, Vogue’s dressers came to the rescue with scissors, showcasing the team’s ability to think on their feet.

A Historic Moment in Fashion

Hamlin’s Met Gala debut was not just a fashion statement but a historic moment for her and the industry. She may have joked about wearing something simpler next year, like a dress with a zipper, but for now, she relishes the memories of this groundbreaking experience.