SABRINA HARRISON WEARS ARCHIVAL JEAN PAUL GAULTIER TO THE MET GALA

words by MAREK BARTEK

This year’s MET Gala theme — centred around the idea of “Fashion Is Art” — naturally encouraged looks that moved beyond just dressing alone and into something more significant. Philanthropist and couture collector Sabrina Harrison tackled the task many struggled with and appeared in a rare archival Jean Paul Gaultier couture piece from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2010 “Mexico” collection.

Originally inspired by ancient Mayan civilisation and shaped through references to traditional craftsmanship, the gown remains one of the standout pieces from that period of Gaultier’s couture output. Constructed from hand-braided silk taffeta and structured through extensive internal steel boning, the silhouette combines sculptural precision with fluid movement. The dress required more than 700 hours of work to complete, using 18 metres of silk taffeta cut on the bias and hand-painted in ombré alongside approximately 25 metres of internal boning.

Rather than recreating the original runway look entirely, Harrison approached the archival piece through a more contemporary lens. A heart-shaped bag designed by Chris Habana became one of the defining elements of the ensemble, physically beating through an internal mechanism developed in collaboration with robotics and fashion engineer Cameron Hughes. Referencing the visceral imagery of Frida Kahlo and her recurring use of exposed hearts. Crafted in brass with 3D-printed components and finished with Preciosa crystals, it introduced another dimension without overwhelming the look itself.

Long braided hair extensions visually connected back to both the gown and the heart-shaped bag, creating continuity throughout the silhouette while allowing the archival couture piece to remain central. Every element felt intentional, from the structured cage-like construction of the dress to the more symbolic references woven throughout the accessories and beauty direction.

Beyond the red carpet itself, the appearance also reflected Harrison’s ongoing involvement with couture preservation and fashion archiving. Through initiatives including Ready-to-Rewear and Haus of Co., she has become increasingly active in supporting fashion as cultural heritage. A longtime supporter of the Costume Institute, Harrison recently donated two couture garments to the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography SEBASTIAN FAENA
styling CARLOS ALONSO PARADA
makeup KATIE NOVA
hair JAS ANA
styling assistants AMANDA JANE VALENTINE, BROOKE PALMER, and NOLAN K
manicure NAILS ON 7TH
pr The Frntal PR