Lupita Nyong’o turned heads at the 2025 Met Gala with a hairstyle that combined elegance, heritage, and artistry. Created by her longtime hairstylist and Olaplex global ambassador Vernon François, the intricate look was guided by four key principles: discipline, ancestry, craftsmanship, and possibility.
François described the hairstyle as an “organic ponytail” with detailed curves and precise placement. “I wanted her hair to reflect the discipline of haute couture,” he said. “Every parting and curve was like the stitch of a skilled tailor.”
This year’s Met Gala theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, explores Black dandyism and its connection to power, resistance, and refinement. François embraced this idea by designing Nyong’o’s hair as a tribute to seamstresses, tailors, and the deep artistry of structure.
To prepare for the look, François focused on both Nyong’o’s hair and scalp health. He used Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum and No.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment in the days leading up to the event. “Caring for the scalp is vital when working with natural hair,” he said.
On the night of the Gala, he built the style using lightweight styling mists and flexible hold products. Hidden pins were placed to support the structure without making the hair look stiff. “I didn’t want to freeze it. I wanted it to move with her hair’s natural rhythm,” François explained.
This is not the first time Nyong’o and François have made a statement at the Met Gala. In 2021, they created a swirling, tulle-inspired look based on the work of conceptual artist Lorna Simpson. In 2019, Nyong’o’s sculpted beehive, adorned with gold hair picks, matched her colorful Versace dress for the theme Camp: Notes on Fashion.
Reflecting on this year’s event, François noted a deeper message behind the style. “Black dandyism has created space to rethink elegance, especially within Black identity,” he said. “It’s about honoring the craft of our ancestors, down to every thread.”
