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Fashion-forward attendees graced the 2024 Met Gala on Monday, with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian sporting a corset from Maison Margiela by John Galliano and NBA player Ben Simmons carrying a clock bag reminiscent of Flavor Flav, all in honor of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”. Yet, the limelight was stolen by a so-called “mystery woman”, 43-year-old Mona Patel.
Social media was abuzz with excitement over Patel, who appeared in a custom dress by Iris Van Herpen. The identity of the CEO from Forbes Next 1000, boasting degrees from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Stanford and MIT, was discovered only after a tweet about her appearance received over 4.3 million likes.
Patel’s ensemble, managed by celebrity stylist Law Roach, featured a delicately constructed corset from her gown that accentuated her figure, complementing the sprawling train trailing behind her. Her arms were adorned with butterfly sculptures that added a dynamic aspect to her outfit.
Artfully engineered butterflies appeared to flutter on Patel’s arms, reflecting the theme for the night’s event, “The Garden of Time”. Seattle-based metalsmith Casey Curran reveled in the challenge of creating the magnificent embellishments, dubbing them “ASURA”. Patel’s sophisticated hairstyle and makeup were executed by celebrity stylist Chris Martin and notable cosmetologist Sidney Jamila, respectively.
Born in India, Patel expressed her intention of creating a debut look that celebrated her heritage while showcasing her fondness for couture. She deployed Roach, famed for styling 2024 Met Gala co-chair Zendaya, to create her look.
The collaborative team initiated the production of Patel’s dress months in advance of the event. Custom designs from Iris Van Herpen, a Dutch couturier known for incorporating elements of nature into her designs, can cost over $100,000 and take up to two years. Patel’s dress, however, was completed in a record time.
Before her first appearance at the celebrated event, Patel shared a preview of her dress’s hand-drawn design and gave followers an insight into the preparation process.
Patel’s debut was an evident success, with one Instagram admirer declaring, “She won the Met Gala”, and online praise naming her outfit the “best dress of the night”.
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