No. 11 - 3 AT-WORK LESSONS FROM THE MET GALA RED CARPET

3 AT-WORK LESSONS FROM THE MET GALA RED CARPET

May 14, 2025 • Issue No. 11

Sparkle Gang, can we have some fun today? I don’t know where you are, but I’m in New York getting drizzled on and I could use a spot of light. The rain reminded me of last week, when it poured non-stop on Met Gala Monday, and that’s what inspired this post.

The Met Gala, aka “Fashion’s Biggest Night”, is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Each year the gala has a unique theme and the guest list includes actors, artists, stylists, designers, musicians, models, and more. This year’s theme was “Tailored For You” to complement the Met’s new exhibition on Black Dandyism, so the red carpet saw a lot of sharp suiting, pin stripes, and color-coordinated ensembles. Don’t worry, I’ve included some pictures below!

This may be my background as a teacher talking, but I think there are helpful lessons anywhere we care to look. Here are three reminders for ~maximum sparkle~ inspired by this year’s red carpet coverage.

1) Don’t underestimate the power of a reveal!

ON THE CARPET: Every outfit that graces that coveted red carpet is the result of hours of labor: the stylist searched and selected, the seamstress sewed and sized, the tailor added finished touches, the courier made sure the ensemble arrived to the right place at the right time. The attendee’s outfit isn’t just about them, it represent collaboration. All the more important, then, that each look have its “moment”. And in a sea of intricate outfits, there’s no better way to create a moment than by pulling off a reveal. Both Janelle Monáe and Damson Idris employed a similar breakaway idea in their outfits. Janelle peeled off a boxy, optical illusion to reveal a curve-hugging, color-blocked suit while Damson removed his race car driver jumpsuit (to promote his new movie) and unveiled a dapper, marrow-red ensemble beneath.

AT-WORK: Your projects and assignments represent a whole lot of effort. It’s too easy to stay nose to the grindstone, sliding from one task right into the next. Not only does that approach cheat you of worthy applause, it also costs you an opportunity to shoutout your collaborators and earn a little goodwill. Take a ‘moment’ to show off your work, reveal all that went into it, and create some fanfare. Can we get a little noise for the budget reports? 🙌🏽

2) Collaborate and coordinate, don’t duplicate

ON THE CARPET: It didn’t take long for folks at home to start pointing out the outfits that appeared to be copy/pasted onto more than one celebrity guest. Over the last few years, Zendaya has gained a reputation for “understanding the assignment”. She and her stylist, Law Roach, consistently impress with their approach to each red carpet theme, coming up with looks that no one can compete with. So, it was shocking, when Zendaya showed up in an expertly tailored three-piece cream colored suit and jaunty little hat….and actress Anna Sawai arrived on the scene looking like her twin. Of course, each outfit had details that made it unique but a casual glance had us thinking we were seeing double. In some corners of the internet, the resemblance became fodder for a “who wore it better” debate - yikes!

AT-WORK: It’s a bummer when it feels like someone is “stealing your idea” and it’s a drag to find out you’ve wasted time and energy on work that someone else has already completed. Let this serve as a reminder to communicate and collaborate. Check and make sure everyone on the team is clear on their roles to avoid duplicating effort. If someone insists on doing the same thing as you, see if you can make it a group project. Two heads are better than one and you might build a new relationship in the process.

3) Set your standard, then deliver

ON THE CARPET: I spent Monday night rapid-fire texting in my group chats about which attendees DID THE D*MN THING and which ones phoned it in. The looks fell into 3 major categories: 1) surprisingly good, 2) yikes!, and 3) Oooooh, I knew she/he/they were going to eat tonight! There were plenty of people in group 1 and a disappointing handful in group 2, but it was group 3 that really had our attention. These are the people who year after year and theme after theme show up in something truly eye-catching. They don the sorts of outfits that will be remixed at Halloween parties for decades to come. Aside from the co-chairs and host committee members who are expected to meet the moment, I was dying to see Teyana Taylor. She’s attended the gala consistently and always delivers. This year was no different, she had a burgundy plume-adorned fedora atop a silky du-rag with a few finger-waved curls peeking out of the sides — and those are just the above the neck details. It’s a delight to watch her show up and show out every year.

AT-WORK: Help people know what to expect from you by being consistent. Your colleagues and teammates will appreciate being able to rely on you. When you create a track record of competence, the people around you can be more at ease. Of course, no one can be perfect all of the time but the goal here is not perfection, it’s integrity. Be honest with yourself about what you can handle and communicate that to your group. Then, follow through on the things you promised, both in timing and in quality. When you’ve proven yourself consistent, it’s a sign to your managers (and to your imposter syndrome!) that you’re ready for bigger challenges.

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