Lupita Nyong'o's Elaborate Met Gala 2025 Hair Is an Ode to Ancestry
For Lupita Nyong'o's hairstylist and Olaplex global ambassador Vernon François, there were four guiding words he held onto when creating the Oscar-winning actor's Met Gala 2025 look: discipline, ancestry, craftsmanship and possibility. 'I wanted her hair to embody the detail and discipline of haute couture–where every curve, parting and placement mimicked the hair of a skilled tailor.' The form? An intricate, organic ponytail that is a mixture of sharpness and subtle embellishments.
John Shearer
'For me, the theme of Black dandyism (officially, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style') is about unleashing the artistry of tailoring–an ode to seamstresses, to structure, to craftsmanship layered with intentionality,' he shared exclusively with British Vogue. 'It's a theme rooted in power, presentation and resistance–using refinement as a form of rebellion.' How he translated this to Nyong'o's look included by preparing her natural hair with Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum and her scalp with the No.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment in the run-up to the red carpet. 'Caring for the scalp is vital when working with natural hair patterns that need support beneath the surface,' he says. Once adequately prepared, François layered fine styling mists and flexible styling products to create hold in the hair, aided by hidden pins that created an internal holding structure. He never tried to 'freeze' the hair, though, rather shape what he describes as Nyong'o's hair's 'natural rhythm'.
This isn't the first time François has collaborated with Nyong'o on a Met Gala hairstyle. In 2021, the two created a tulle-esque look inspired by Brooklyn-born conceptual artist Lorna Simpson. A whirling chorus of delicate swirls, loops and airy volume were part of the duo's interpretation of In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, that year's theme. Paired with a denim Versace dress and deep-blue eyeshadow, it encapsulated everything from traditional American workwear to the heyday of pop-star Britney Spears.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Beyoncé fans brave scorching heat for Houston hometown kickoff of 'Cowboy Carter' tour
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is to set to light up Houston during the next stop of her "Cowboy Carter" tour. And fans are already braving scorching temperatures to witness the hometown opener. The Grammy-winning singer will launch her first concert in her hometown of Houston at NRG Stadium June 28. The show will mark her first Southern stop on her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour. She is poised to perform two nights only on June 28 and June 29. From the United States to Europe, Beyoncé and her fans have powered through severe weather conditions, including an evacuation, cold temperatures and pouring rain to experience her concerts. In Houston, it was the heat they had to beat with the first show landing on a scorching 91-degree day. Despite this, fans swarmed the stadium grounds ahead of the show--some lining up early to secure spots in the VIP pits and others enduring the sun for a chance at merchandise. Bridget and Meghan Ryan traveled to Houston from Wisconsin to see Beyoncé in concert for the first time. After several flight delays and scheduling hiccups, the sisters were determined to snag official merchandise ahead of Saturday's show. Like many other fans, they ended up standing in a long line in the heat. "We're both from the Midwest, so the humidity is a little extra than what we're used to. I figured staying hydrated would be a good plan,' said Bridget Ryan. "I think it was a come hell or high water kind of situation. Whatever the weather was going to do we were going to show." Their determination didn't stop there. "We even talked about if we don't get any today after sitting outside maybe we'll come back tomorrow and try the truck again,' Meghan Ryan said. The H-Town stop comes after Beyoncé wrapped the international leg of her tour – first with a six-night stint in London, followed by three dazzling nights in Paris. Of course, Beyoncé first debuted her "Cowboy Carter" tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with a 39-song set list. Her shows have been filled with family, fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary. As fans know, Beyoncé first debuted her "Cowboy Carter" tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with 39 songs on the set list. Her shows have been filled with family, fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary. The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
Buzz Feed
4 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
17 Old Hollywood Movies That Were Almost Banned For Being Gay
Old Hollywood movies had to follow strict guidelines throughout the 1930s–1960s, known as the Hays Code. This basically prevented all US films from featuring anything that was overtly sexual or "inappropriate," which forced a lot of filmmakers to get creative about how they could navigate potential censorship. I have running lists on Letterboxd of every Old Hollywood and LGBTQ+ movie that I watch, so I sifted through them to find a bunch from the Hays Code era that are subtly (and not so subtly) suuuuuper gay. Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy! Rebel Without a Cause (1955) stars James Dean as a bisexual hottie, so you really can't ask for much more. The original script had his character kissing Plato, who was one of the first gay teen characters on screen, but the Hays Code quickly squashed that from happening. Still, this movie is edgy and dramatic and romantic, and the whole cast is just so fun to look at. Who's in it: James Dean, Sal Mineo, Natalie Wood, and Dennis Hopper Here's the trailer: All About Eve (1950) is a witty and toxic drama about an aging actress who befriends a fan who ultimately tries to usurp her. This movie shares the record for the most Oscar nominations ever, with 14, and it briefly features Marilyn Monroe in one of her first roles ever. There are so many queer undertones and characters throughout, and they're all so delicious. Also, I personally think this is the best film ever made, so I'm basically begging you to watch it. Who's in it: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Thelma Ritter, Celeste Holm, George Sanders, and Gary Merrill Here's the trailer: Homicidal (1961) was made towards the end of the Hays Code and sort of pushed the boundaries of what was allowed. You'll see why when the big twist in this horror-thriller is revealed, so I won't spoil anything for you now. Just know that this film was deemed so scary that it literally included a 45-second "fright break" that appeared on screen before the climax, which told viewers they could request a full refund from the movie theater if they were too scared to finish watching. Who's in it: Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, Joan Marshall, and Eugenie Leontovich Here's the trailer: Tea and Sympathy (1956) follows a "sensitive" prep school teen who's bullied by the other students and teachers. He finds solace in an older woman, played by Deborah Kerr, and the whole thing is just sooooo pretty to look at. Who's in it: Deborah Kerr, Leif Erickson, John Kerr, and Edward Andrews Here's the trailer: Compulsion (1959) follows two hot, wealthy, and secretly queer college boys who commit a murder and think they're too smart to get away with it. It's loosely based on the real-life Leopold and Loeb murder trial, so just trust me on this one. Who's in it: Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman, Diane Varsi, and Richard Anderson Here's the trailer: Rope (1948) is Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of a play that was ~also~ inspired by the Leopold and Loeb murder trial. This one focuses on two young (and queer) killers who host a dinner party after hiding the dead body in their apartment. The movie was shot to look like it was filmed in a single take, which heightens its suspense and helps to keep the characters (and viewers) on edge. Who's in it: Farley Granger, John Dall, and James Stewart Here's the trailer: Edge of the City (1957) is a gritty drama about the friendship between John Cassavetes and Sidney Poitier's characters. It's rough and tough and has a lotttt of queer subtext. Ruby Dee is also in this movie, and she's especially fantastic. Who's in it: Sidney Poitier, John Cassavetes, Ruby Dee, and Jack Warden Here's the trailer: The Children's Hour (1961) stars Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine as two women who run a boarding school for girls in 1930s New England. One of the students is a troublemaking little b*tch who starts a rumor that they're in a lesbian relationship, and all hell breaks loose. The movie is based on Lillian Hellman's famous play of the same name, and it's a must-watch. Who's in it: Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, Fay Bainter, and Miriam Hopkins Here's the trailer: Purple Noon (1960) is actually adapted from the book The Talented Mr. Ripley. This French film is just so freaking hot, and if you're into suspenseful dramas or even remotely liked the 1999 version with Jude Law and Matt Damon then you absolutely need to check this out. Who's in it: Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet, Marie Laforêt, and Billy Kearns Here's the trailer: Strangers on a Train (1951) is a psychological thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. It's about two strangers who both want someone murdered, so they swap victims to prevent anyone from getting suspicious of them. It's a super fun watch, and Farley Granger is so handsome that he'll kinda take your breath away. Who's in it: Farley Granger, Robert Walker, and Ruth Roman Here's the trailer: Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) is centered around a wealthy widow who tries to get her niece lobotomized to cover up the truth about her secretly queer (and now deceased) son. This one is a little out there, but Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor both received Best Actress Oscar nominations for their roles, so there's that. Who's in it: Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift, and Gary Raymond Here's the trailer: The Hitch-Hiker (1953) is about two male friends who are basically taken hostage after picking up a hitchhiker while on their way to a fishing trip. The film is based on the 1950 killing spree of Billy Cook, and it examines homosexual panic, masculinity, and traditional gender roles. Who's in it: Edmond O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy, and William Talman Here's the trailer: The Servant (1963) deals with unspoken desires, homoerotic tensions, and the ultimate dom-sub power dynamic. In it, a wealthy, young Londoner hires a man to be his servant. The servant slowly takes control and manipulates his "master," and it's a wilddddd ride. Who's in it: James Fox, Dirk Bogarde, Sarah Miles, and Wendy Craig Here's the trailer: Victim (1961) is centered around a closeted lawyer in London who's blackmailed for being gay, which was illegal in England until 1967. This is a groundbreaking piece of movie history because it was the first British film to explicitly mention homosexuality, and it should be required viewing for everyone. Who's in it: Dirk Bogarde, Dennis Price, Anthony Nicholls, and Sylvia Syms Here's the trailer: Advise & Consent (1962) is a political drama that was adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name. It's centered around the confirmation of a nominee for Secretary of State, who just so happens to be a married US senator who's being blackmailed for secretly having past relations with a man. Who's in it: Henry Fonda, Don Murray, Gene Tierney, Walter Pidgeon, and Charles Laughton Here's the trailer: The Haunting (1963) is a revolutionary horror movie that features one of the only lesbian characters of its time to be feminine and not predatory. The film is based on the book The Haunting of Hill House, which was ultimately turned into a hugely popular Netflix series, so if you like either of them then you should watch this too. Who's in it: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn Here's the trailer: Finally, Rebecca (1940) is the only Alfred Hitchcock film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. It features one of the most famous ~coded~ queer characters from Old Hollywood: Mrs. Danvers. Throughout the film, her obsession with Rebecca becomes more and more prevalent, though under the Hays Code her queerness had to be implied rather than stated outright. Who's in it: Joan Fontaine, Laurence Olivier, George Sanders, and Judith Anderson Here's the trailer: Looking for more LGBTQ+ content? Check out all of BuzzFeed's Pride 2025 posts here!
Elle
4 hours ago
- Elle
Rihanna Wears Sheer Blue Chanel Gown to ‘The Smurfs' World Premiere
THE RUNDOWN On Saturday, Rihanna attended the world premiere of Smurfs in Brussels wearing a custom Chanel ensemble in baby blue. Rihanna voices the character of Smurfette in the new animated movie. Her chiffon top was constructed with layers of sheer fabric that swung lightly over her torso—she and her partner, A$AP Rocky, revealed they were expecting their third child at the Met Gala in May this year. Under the top, which was hung with dangling crystals and feathers, she wore a long silk skirt in the same delicate shade with embroidery along the hem. She had her hair half up and wore several pieces of delicate jewelry around her neck and wrists. By her side, A$AP Rocky was wearing a striped red-and-white button-down shirt and a red and blue tie. He was wearing wide-legged slacks and a pair of dark sunglasses. Both stars have been in Paris the last few days, first making an appearance at a show for the Dior menswear collection. Rihanna wore an embroidered cape-style coat over a mint green vest and button-down, while the rapper wore a brightly striped Dior tie. They then appeared at Rocky's show for AWGE as part of Paris Fashion Week. They were joined by their son, Riot Rose, making his fashion show debut. Rihanna was wearing a loose button-down shirt in a blue and red stripe pattern that opened over her belly, paired it with a pleated black miniskirt. She accessorized with white pointed-toe heels with criss-crossed laces over tall gray socks. She left her long hair down in gentle waves and wore a number of different chains and pendants of different lengths. Riot was also styled for the night, wearing purple pants, Vans, and a cute denim jacket over a white T-shirt.
