When it comes to the MET Gala red carpet, Cardi B always understands the assignment. The Grammy Award-winning rapper made a grand entrance at this year’s event, which celebrated the American fashion of the Gilded Age through its “Gilded Glamour” theme.
Cardi B, 29, arrived in a car coordinated with her dress – a Barocco-print convertible – before walking up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. The “WAP” artist was accompanied by none other than Donatella Versace, who personally designed her dress for the occasion. Cardi B wore a form-fitting gold gown dripping in gold. The halter dress was entirely made from embroidered jewelry and metal mesh, according to WWD. The artist paired the look with matching layered chain necklaces and gloves made of more chains. The gown also included Versace’s signature Medusa medallions and the Versace Greca pattern decorating the chains.
“Cardi, you are an absolute vision. It was the most amazing birthday present to walk the Met red carpet with you,” wrote the designer in a caption on Instagram, who recently celebrated her 67th birthday.
The rapper wanted to highlight a feminine silhouette at the 2022 Met Gala. “I wanted to bring woman,” she told VOGUE’s official MET Gala red carpet host La La Anthony. “Donatella bring that woman.”
Cardi B’s dress was entirely hand-crafted by 20 members of Atelier Versace. It took 1300 hours to complete and used a mile of gold metal chains, as mentioned in a media release from Versace. The collar, which was sculpted by hand, was designed as a play on the traditional image of a Victoria coat ruff. The look is an ode to Cardi B herself, whose debut album, Invasion of Privacy, became RIAA Certified Gold on the day of its release.
While she didn’t appear at last year’s MET Gala due to the birth of her son Wave, who recently appeared on ESSENCE’s latest cover, it’s no doubt that the rapper didn’t miss a single beat when she made her return to last night’s star-studded evening. In the past, Cardi B has worn show-stopping designs by designers Thom Browne and Moschino. Once again, the rapper proves that she can put on a show through her love and appreciation for high fashion.
Photo Credit: Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue