Simone Biles’ gown at the Met Gala was a whopping 88 pounds and she had to be helped up the stairs by six men who surrounded her and picked it up as needed. It was designed by Area and her sponsor, the activewear brand Athleta. The look was made up of three separate pieces: a celestrial body suit, a mini dress and a large skirt, and took 100 people over 6,650 hours to make! The inspiration for the gown was Josephine Baker. I liked this gown from the back but thought it was odd looking from the front. You could tell that more than one company made it. The skirt was designed to be detached so Simone could actually move on her own in the outfit.
Precious Lee was also in a heavy Area outfit. She said it weighed about 80 pounds and the inspiration was zoot suits. This is really cool I appreciate what she was going for which this look.
Chloe and Halle Bailey were in Rodarte. They told Keke Palmer that their outfits were designed by sisters, which was cute. Halle’s outfit was inspired by Tina Turner!
Sha’Carri Richardson was in Theophilio. I love the leather quilted bodice and the tiered fringe skirt. She told Keke that her name is pronounced Sha-Carrie not Sha-Car-ie and Keke got it right after that. I also liked how she explained why she likes to do her hair and makeup before she runs, because it makes her feel prepared and ready.
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If that dress makes Simone happy, hooray. She has been through so much isht the past 10 years that I vote for anything that makes her feel like a queen. I’m loving all the athletes showing up and getting their glam on!
I don’t like either of the “heavy dresses” but sha’carri and the Bailey twins look FIRE!
I LOVED Precious Lee’s outfit and I got the zoot suit theme right away. One of my favorites!!
I’m so ready for Chloe to get past this phase she’s in where her mouth is constantly hanging open. For once I like what she’s wearing more than Halle but the open blow-up doll mouth ruins it.
I love Athleta clothing and Simone, but not 100% about the dress, If an athlete can’t move in it….
I could see the Simone’s silver part of the dress as a “stand alone”, with the overskirt detaching, leaving a little “mini dress” to get around in more easily. But I’m not a fan of the “onesie” look under the heavy silver overskirt/dress. It reminds me of a little kid playing “dress up” by putting on a grown up’s dress over her clothes.
I like Sha’Carrie’s and Halle’s dresses a lot. Using the Incomparable Tina Turner for inspiration could never be a bad thing!
Athleta being heavy and cumbersome on a petite frame. color me not surprised.
Simone could have shown up in literal Athleta gear, like sweatpants or leggings, and I’d still be thrilled for her that she’s getting these opportunities and finally getting to just revel in her success. But, the outer dress here (I assume that’s the part Area made?) looks like it was designed for someone a foot and a half taller than her and to be worn with nothing underneath (given the amount of skin that most of the dresses were showing this year, that would have still been “conservative.”)
I wonder if the bodysuit and dress were added in part because Simone was uncomfortable with the outer dress on its own? I certainly would understand that but I also think it is why they don’t seem to entirely vibe with each other.
Honestly, I wish she’d just worn the bodysuit/mini dress that is underneath or maybe had some of the train removed from the outer dress and had a little less volume at the hips. Her body is *remarkable* – but it’s also unusual in the fashion world – I wonder if she has struggled to find designers who will make her things that make sense on someone who is under five feet tall (without coming off as twee that is).
But regardless of any of that, I am so happy to see her living her best life. I actually bought a ticket to her Gold Across America tour (which isn’t until November where I live) which is the first “event” I’ve bought a ticket for since March of 2020 or so. I’m so excited to see her and ALL the athletes having fun with gymnastics and with life.
I don’t see the gala theme in any of these dresses.
The theme is American fashion. Lee’s dress is a nod to zoot suits, which were fashionable in the African American community in the 1930’s and 40’s. Halle Bailey’s dress is a nod to Tina Turner. The others I don’t get the references though!
Simone’s smile is dazzling! Sadly, her outfit is a complete miss for me.
Simone’s dress weighed almost as much as Simone.