South African star Tyla arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in a custom Valentino creation designed by Alessandro Michele. While many guests chose a more expressive styling direction for the night, her look prioritised texture, structure and fluid motion in the fabric.

The design paired a peacock-blue satin skirt with a thigh-high slit and a long trailing hem. The bodice carried crystal chains, silver beadwork and sheer panels, giving the upper section a jewellery-like finish. Instead of covering the entire gown in decoration, the detailing was concentrated around the bodice.

Tyla – Instagram

Following her arrival, several fashion publications pointed to the peacock reference behind the look. Vogue described it as a peacock-inspired Valentino piece with crystal embroidery and feather-like accents. It also noted that Tyla referenced the inspiration during carpet interviews.

The turquoise satin skirt provided contrast to the heavily detailed upper section, keeping the design structured overall. Blue heels, layered diamond jewellery and hanging crystal accessories supported the styling choices without taking focus away from the gown.

Tyla – Instagram

This appearance continues Tyla’s developing approach to Met Gala dressing. In 2024, she wore the widely discussed Balmain sand dress that was altered during the event. In 2025, she shifted towards tailored design in a Jacquemus outfit inspired by André Leon Talley. The Valentino look for 2026 brought together aspects of both years, combining bold decoration with a cleaner, more refined shape.

The 2026 Met Gala theme, “Fashion Is Art”, encouraged guests to interpret fashion through creative direction. Tyla’s Valentino outfit stood out through its crystal work, structured form and peacock-inspired tones, becoming one of the night’s most talked-about fashion moments.

At the Johannesburg premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, Bonang Matheba did not simply follow the theme; she approached it with precision. While the event invited guests to interpret the world of high-fashion authority, her appearance stood out through structured tailoring and a clear reference to the film’s visual language.

She wore a sharply tailored black pinstripe suit, designed with details that pushed it beyond a standard power suit. The jacket carried exaggerated, sculpted shoulders that shifted focus to the upper body. A deep plunging lapel opened into a corset-style bodice, creating contrast between coverage and form. The styling reflected the controlled authority associated with Miranda Priestly.

Bonang Matheba – Instagram

The pinstripes shifted in direction and spacing, narrowing at the waist to define the shape. Around the bust, the lines broke into circular formations, creating a graphic, high-contrast effect. This detail moved the outfit away from a corporate reference into a more stylised direction.

The skirt followed a long, pencil cut, maintaining a clean vertical line. There was no added volume or layering, keeping the overall finish precise and direct.

Bonang Matheba – Instagram

Her accessories aligned with the look. Narrow black sunglasses referenced the character’s signature detached presence. A bold red lip added contrast to the monochrome outfit, while her hair was pulled back tightly to keep attention on the structure of the outfit.

Footwear followed the same sharp direction, with pointed black heels that extended the clean lines.

Bonang Matheba – Instagram

The look worked because of its reference point and its restraint. In a setting where many leaned into themed dressing, this approach avoided excess. It showed clear direction and strong styling choices while still feeling current.

Among multiple interpretations in the room, her look felt less like imitation and more like reinterpretation. It reworked a familiar fashion idea into something suited to her public image, while keeping the original influence clear.

At the Billboard Women in Music, Tyla did not arrive in a conventional red-carpet look. She stepped out in a design that immediately commands focus and invites closer inspection.

The custom piece by Javier Collazo is designed less like a traditional dress and more like a sculptural piece. From the front, it appears as a feathered column with strategic coverage: dense, layered plumage runs vertically from the bust into a trailing extension, while the sides are sharply cut away. The form emphasises line, motion, and body control. There is no excess fabric.

Tyla – Instagram

Up close, the texture becomes the focus. The mix of brown, ivory, and black feathers adds depth without relying on embellishment. It avoids typical red-carpet detailing such as crystals or metallic finishes. Instead, the material creates motion. Even in still photos, the piece shows visible motion, with an intentionally raw finish that avoids a highly refined appearance.

Tyla – Instagram

From the back, the design changes significantly. The dress opens almost entirely, held together by minimal detailing, with featherwork concentrated lower on the body. The contrast between the structured front and exposed back defines the look. It avoids a single, fixed form.

Styling remains minimal. Transparent heels, soft glam makeup, and voluminous natural curls keep the focus on the outfit. The beauty styling is deliberate, with warm tones and clean skin that do not distract from the design.

Tyla – Instagram

The intent behind the look is clear. This look does not aim for broad appeal; it invites discussion and attention from multiple angles. In a setting where many attendees lean on familiar forms, this choice moves in a different direction without becoming exaggerated.

It sits between a fashion experiment and red-carpet defiance, preventing it from appearing costume-like.