“Much of [the look] was about the weight of Black dandyism and how it has been used to activate and reshape narratives,” Keke, 32, told Vogue in 2025. “I wanted to zero in on an inspiration of someone who did that in media from the start, and that was Dorothy Dandridge.”

Even for Vera, Dorothy—who made history in 1954 as the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress—served as the ultimate inspiration.

“After seeing her in Carmen Jones, I completely related to Keke’s fascination with her,” Vera explained to the outlet. “Dorothy represented, in parallel, a true moment for African American success and recognition in Hollywood, and this concept felt entirely authentic to both of us.”

As the fashion designer noted, collaborating with the One of Them Days star for the stunning look was “truly a meeting of the minds.”

“Over the trousers, she wears a sweeping, bubble-hemmed ball skirt, embroidered with Swarovski crystals and glass pearls,” Vera added of the multi-layered ensemble. “She also added a black ostrich feather headband, for a final dose of drama.”

And for Keke, it was more about than just fashion.

“Story-wise," she told Vogue, "it’s about a Black beauty who used said beauty and fashion to open doors.”

For a closer look at every star at the 2026 Met Gala, keep reading...