Ross, who last attended the Met Gala back in 2003, arrived at the event Monday adorned in feathers and sporting a jaw-dropping 18-foot-long train. It took five men to carry the star’s hand-embroidered ivory white accessory, which enveloped the carpeted steps when laid flat. But hidden in the yards of fabric was a small detail many may have missed. “It has (stitched) the names of all my children and my eight grandchildren,” Ross told Vogue carpet-side, calling the dress “a forever family gown.”
On her arm was Evan Ross, her son and the co-creator of the look. “She is the best thing. She is the Met Ball,” he told Vogue. Ross worked with Ugo Mozie, a Nigerian designer and founder of fashion label Eleven Sixteen, to bring his mother’s show-stopping ensemble to life. “Family. Heritage. Legacy,” Mozie posted on social media. “So grateful to be a part of this special moment. To have co-designed this work of art for an Icon.”
Underneath the larger-than-life train, the Motown singer donned a crystal-embellished spaghetti-strapped gown and a dazzling pair of chandelier earrings. On her head sat a custom, wide-brimmed, feathered hat by LA-based milliner Sarah Sokol.
Despite being one of the most memorable outfits of the evening, Ross let slip that her appearance was last-minute. “There was no Alan,” she said. “My son persuaded me (to come), because I’m actually on tour. He said, ‘Mom, you gotta go.’”
Luckily for us, she had just the thing to wear.
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