Zac Posen Dressed Da'Vine Joy Randolph in Custom Gap for the 2024 Met Gala
No stranger to the Met Gala, Zac Posen knows how to design a show-stopping dress, and he's brought that pedigree to his role as creative director at Gap Inc., designing a custom gown for none other than actor Da'Vine Joy Randolph at this year's event.
With a billowing train and a romantic off-the-shoulder neckline, the all-denim gown represents a trip through fashion history by honoring Gap's 1969 denim and embodying the silhouette of a 1700s evening dress. Posen was also inspired by San Francisco (the home of Gap Inc.'s headquarters), incorporating an "international red" lining, which mirrors the oxidation of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
"Throughout the creative process, I was reminded of my time at The Costume Institute, where I first encountered the exquisite beauty of historic garments," Posen said in a statement. "This dress is a tribute to the elegance, glamour and drama, which embodies the timeless allure of Da'Vine Joy Randolph, a true original in her craft and in her style."
The gown features multiple denim washes achieved through custom-dyed fabrics ranging from deep blues to medium hues. In addition to the scalloped edges of the gown's sleeves, the flowing train also mimics the movement of water. Randolph accessorized her elaborate 18th-century-inspired gown with Chopard jewelry.
"With this Gap gown, I've fallen back in love with denim," Randolph said in a statement. "I feel powerful. It makes me feel very feminine, but in a way that I can identify with – through strength, power and resilience."
Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Posen was named executive vice president and creative director of Gap Inc. (plus chief creative officer of Old Navy) back in February. While he has experience designing for the masses — he was the creative director of Brooks Brothers for a time — he's perhaps best known for the eveningwear he designed under his namesake label. (He stepped away from the business in 2019, but the brand lives on through licensing.)
Posen, who wore a custom suit by Banana Republic (also owned by Gap Inc.), has been at the company for a few months, but this is his first big, splashy project as creative director — and what a way to make a statement.
Homepage image: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
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