The day before the Met Gala, I attended the Behind the Scenes Beauty gala and awards at The Lavan in New York City, and the evening served as a reminder that fashion’s biggest moments are never created alone. While the world often focuses on the celebrities walking the carpet, this event shifted the spotlight to the visionaries behind the scenes who help bring every iconic look to life.
The ceremony honored industry pioneers Ursula Stephen, Paul Tazewell, Joy Reid, Derrick Rutledge, and Lisa Price for their impact across beauty, fashion, television, and culture. From legendary hairstyling and makeup artistry to costume design and entrepreneurship, each honoree has shaped the industry in a meaningful way.
One of the highlights of the evening was celebrating my friend Derrick Rutledge, Oprah Winfrey’s longtime makeup artist, whose work has also graced former First Lady Michelle Obama and countless historic moments in media. Seeing so many creatives gathered in one room ahead of the Met Gala felt incredibly inspiring.
At Fashion Bomb Daily, we’ve always believed in celebrating the entire ecosystem that makes fashion happen. The stylists, makeup artists, hairstylists, nail technicians, photographers, and glam teams often work tirelessly behind the curtain, yet their creativity drives the culture forward. Events like this are important because they recognize the talent and dedication that make red carpet magic possible.
As someone who has spent nearly two decades covering fashion and documenting style moments around the world, I appreciated being in a room where the behind-the-scenes talent received the flowers they deserve. Before the flashbulbs, couture gowns, and Met Gala chaos officially began, this was the perfect way to celebrate the artists who help create the moments we all remember.
For the occasion, I wore a look by Lapointe and DSquared2 sandals. Hot! Or Hmm..?
Stay tuned for more moments from The Bomb Life!
Love & Light,
Photo Credit: @therealnicoleeeeee
