Lily Gladstone Illuminates the Met Gala 2024 in a Celestial Custom Gabriela Hearst Ensemble

Lily Gladstone, the trailblazing Indigenous actress, made a breathtaking entrance at the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, donning a custom Gabriela Hearst ensemble that paid homage to her Blackfeet and Kiowa heritage. The stunning black silk wool cady bustier dress, paired with a black silk organza cape adorned with hand-embroidered stars, crafted from recycled silver and glass beads by Indigenous jeweler and metalsmith artist Keri Ataumbi of Ataumbi Metals, showcased the power of fashion as a medium for storytelling and cultural celebration.

The meticulously crafted cape, featuring 493 hand-embroidered stars and glass beads arranged to depict the night sky of the Great Plains on the summer solstice, including the Orion and the Pleiades constellations, required over 120 hours of skilled artisanship. The Pleiades constellation, a special request from Gladstone, served as a custom closure at the neckline of the cape, adding a deeply personal touch to the ensemble.

Gabriela Hearst's vision for the dress and cape drew inspiration from her ongoing study of goddesses and warrior women, which evolved into a profound collaboration with Keri Ataumbi, exploring the significance of stars in Indigenous narratives and the memories of ancestors. The Kiowa belief that upon death, they return to the stars, and the Blackfeet view of the Milky Way as the Wolf Trail, resonated deeply with Gladstone, making the co-created ensemble a powerful embodiment of her being supported and embraced by her ancestors.

The hairpiece, a special request from Gladstone, paid homage to the moon, featuring a large iridescent shell center surrounded by four crescent moons and four groups of three brilliant-cut diamonds in the cardinal directions. The accompanying jewelry, including large post earrings resembling shooting stars and a series of rings, showcased Ataumbi's exceptional craftsmanship and the seamless integration of Indigenous artistry with high fashion.

Lily Gladstone, known for her groundbreaking roles in films such as "Certain Women" and "First Cow," has been a vocal advocate for Indigenous representation in Hollywood. Her captivating performances and unwavering commitment to authenticity have earned her critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. As one of the first Indigenous actresses to be nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, Gladstone continues to pave the way for greater diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.

Her appearance at the Met Gala 2024 not only showcased her impeccable style but also highlighted the importance of celebrating and preserving Indigenous culture and heritage. By collaborating with Gabriela Hearst and Keri Ataumbi, Gladstone demonstrated the power of fashion as a platform for storytelling, cultural pride, and artistic expression.