Nichapat Suphap is undoubtedly one of the most powerful movers and shakers in show business today. The Thai editor, entrepreneur and founder of The Venture Management works with the hottest Asian stars of the moment, putting actors and now luxury brand ambassadors like Vachirawit “Bright” Chivaaree and Nattawin “Apo” Wattanagitiphat on the global map.

She’s also a Met Gala regular, becoming the first-ever Thai attendee when she wore a purple gown designed by friend Peter Dundas to the notoriously exclusive event back in 2018. Suphap topped that by wearing a cotton candy-like technicolour number by Tomo Koizumi for the camp-themed 2019 gala, becoming the first person to wear a custom piece by the brand.

And for the 2023 Met Gala, which paid tribute to legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, Suphap opted for classic black-and-white elegance in a custom halter ball gown by Louis Vuitton.

This year, Suphap chose to work with Hong Kong-born couture designer Robert Wun for her custom gown, taking Style behind the scenes for an exclusive look at the design process. Wun also dressed Blackpink star Lisa – who also hails from Thailand – for the event.

Additionally, Suphap tapped American kinetic artist Casey Curran, who previously collaborated with designer Iris van Herpen on businesswoman Mona Patel’s look at the 2024 Met Gala, to work on the literal finishing touches for her 2026 Met Gala gown. Curran crafted a series of sculptural moving hands to go with her all-black, floor-length dress.

Suphap told Style that she first reached out to Wun when she learned that the theme this year was “Fashion is Art”. Andrew Bolton, the head curator at the Met’s Costume Institute, bought three dresses from Wun to show in the accompanying exhibition, titled “Costume Art”.

“Robert had me show him the gowns that I liked from his collections,” Suphap said, adding that she was most drawn to a look that reminded her of the Schiaparelli gown she wore to the 2022 Met Gala. “It is similar, but I don’t care,” she laughed.