So it’s Saturday, and I’m just somewhat recovering from the experience of attending my VERY FIRST MET GALA!!!!!
This year’s theme was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and I just KNEW I had to be in the building. I had submitted my credentials along with an extra credit essay, but didn’t hear back until I was in Miami for the ExcelerateHer Conference (approximately 9 days before the big day). I almost hit the floor when I found out.
Going to the Met Gala was a life goal for me, and honestly being accepted to cover the red carpet was on par with other big moments in my life like finding out I got into Harvard or getting an internship at Paris Vogue. It was HUGE!
Of course after I got over the excitement of going, I had to find an outfit to wear. Most American stylists and designers were already overwhelmed and juggling multiple clients, so I reached out to the consummate Nigerian Dandy, Swanky Jerry, to style me. He accepted the assignment without hesitation, had a custom suit by Deji and Kola made for me, and personally flew it from Nigeria to New York, just in time for the big day.
If that’s not black excellence, I don’t know what is.
The actual event was fabulous! I got to speak to so many people I admire, but the highlight for me was chatting with Dwyane Wade, who turned the camera on me and showed some love to my look:
The actual night could be a movie. First, it was raining. I eventually kicked off my Christian Louboutin heels and was standing in a puddle for 8 hours. I also experienced some technical difficulties. My wireless mics would not work no matter how hard I tried, and no one around me could figure it out…! But thankfully I had a red carpet mate, Nate, who let me use his extra mic. He also gave me a fan when I was sweating bullets and almost having a meltdown (he even dabbed my forehead with a cloth). And he gave me snacks! There was a man with a whooping cough two people away from me, and Nate had cough drops for him! He was over prepared, and I learned from this experience to follow his lead. My mics had always worked in the past, but always have a back up, especially for big moments.
There were many highlights of the Met, but meeting a kind soul like Nate tops them all.
Some people complained about the sound of the mic, but imagine if we had no mic at all! At the MET! Oh no. There were a few other snafus but suffice it to say everything worked out as it should. As it always does….!
I give all glory to GOD for answering my prayers. Also, thank you to my angels on earth. My friend Margaret Anadu for advocating for me. Swanky Jerry for going over and above for me (our post together has reached 700,000 impressions and counting). My whole audiovisual team, Salvatore Demaio on the Photos, Jose Santana on the videos, Fritz Metayer for the BTS. My glam team, Latisha Chancey and Janel Smith. To my FBD team, Rashidah, Kathleen, and Wenny who held down our social media and website while I was running around. Every single person who has prayed for me or said my names in rooms when I’m not present. Everyone who supports this journey: WE DID IT!!!!!!!!
More to come, with love and everlasting light,
