Ciara Reimagines This Iconic Royal at the Met Gala With a Crown Crafted From Her Own Hair (Exclusive)

The singer was covered in gold for the 2026 soirée.

Ciara ahead of the 2026 Met Gala.Credit:

Ciara delivered high-impact drama on fashion's biggest night on May 4. Just when it seemed impossible to top last year's look, the singer proved she's always up for a (stylish) challenge. She arrived at the 2026 Met Gala "in perfect fashion timing," wearing a gold-drenched, intricately embellished gown by Celia Kritharioti paired with a towering, sculptural headpiece that felt equal parts avant-garde and regal. The Grammy winner drew inspiration from Queen Nefertiti, who was known for her tall, striking crown. "We wanted to create something that felt powerful, intentional, and rooted in a deeper story, so we reimagined Nefertiti through a modern lens," she exclusively tells InStyle.

It was all about the details, with Ciara's floor-length dress featuring hundreds of crystals set atop delicate sheer fabric. Layered at her shoulders was a stacked gold collar with an armor-like finish. She continued the gilded theme with statement gold jewelry, including a bold choker and coordinating bangles. Ciara's hair, save for a single tendril, is what made up the headpiece—which was adorned with flake-like details. "It was important that Nefertiti wasn't seen as an artifact, but as authorship, and as something living," Ciara says.

Altogether, the look struck a balance between opulence and edge, seamlessly aligning with the "Costume Art" theme and "Fashion Is Art" dress code. "A lot of the inspiration came from exhibitions, like, Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876—Now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art," Ciara says. Her husband, NFL star Russell Wilson, matched her fly in custom Brandon Blackwood. His ensemble came in the form of a satin white suit with gold plates at the shoulders, resembling wings.

Of course for Ciara, a look this commanding was about more than just the final result. Behind the scenes, every element—from hair to finishing touches— was carefully considered. Read on for InStyle's exclusive look at how Ciara prepared for the highly anticipated ball.

Ciara posing with her husband Russell Wilson ahead of the 2026 Met Gala.

Her 2026 Met Gala Look

A close-up of Ciara's Met Gala dress.

"My look really came together through a beautiful collaboration between Celia Kritharioti and my stylist, Marni Senofonte. It draws from contemporary artists who place ancient Egypt within Black identity as lineage. Nefertiti, to me, represents inheritance, power, and presence. This look is about continuing the story. Nefertiti, to me, represents inheritance, power, and presence, and that's exactly what I wanted to embody."

The Accessories

Ciara ahead of the 2026 Met Gala.

"I was blinged out! My jewelry is Lorraine Schwartz, whose pieces have this bold, sculptural energy that felt perfectly in sync with the vision I wanted to bring to life. Nefertiti had such strength, grace, and undeniable presence, and I wanted jewelry that captured that same regal spirit. Lorraine's designs helped me embody that balance of power and femininity, giving me something that felt both timeless and striking in a modern way."

Ciara's hands adorned with rings for the 2026 Met Gala.

The Glam

Ciara with her glam team ahead of the 2026 Met Gala.

"My glam team is really like family to me. Some of them have been with me for almost 20 years now. There's a level of trust and understanding between us, and we've been through so many iconic looks together over the years. My makeup artist, Yolanda Frederick-Thompson, has been with me since the very start of my career. She created an insane glowy, bronzed makeup look that brought the whole vision together."

"My hairstylist, Cesar Ramirez, brought the hair vision to life by reimagining Nefertiti's iconic headpieces through a modern lens, and it completely elevated everything. My nail artist, Isabelle Bone Giboyeaux, created a cat eye nail look with crystal embellishments to match my dress."

Her Style Icons

Ciara's inspiration for her Met Gala look.

"My grandma. She was always so confident, so bold, and completely fearless when it came to her fashion. She never followed trends, she created them in her own way, and she had such a strong, authentic sense of identity. Growing up and watching that was incredibly inspiring, it really shaped how I see style and individuality today."

Her Getting-Ready Playlist

A close-up of Ciara's glam.

"I like a little bit of everything when I'm getting ready. My playlist is all over the place in the best way, from Michael Jackson to Karol G to Kehlani. But if I had to pick one song that sets the tone for this [Met] look, it's "Remember The Time" by Michael Jackson."

Who She Was Most Excited to See

"My friends! It's always fun when we get to have a meeting in the ladies room! The little moments to see my girls and catch up in between everything happening are the best."

The Most Challenging Part About Getting Ready

Ciara getting ready for the 2026 Met Gala.

"Being on time! Despite all the years I've been doing this, it's always a bit of a challenge, but somehow, someway, we make it work and still manage to arrive in perfect fashion timing."

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Her Personal Style

Ciara for the 2026 Met Gala.

"I'm a tomboy at heart, tomboy chic all the way. I always love when things are comfortable. I'll forever be obsessed with baggy, effortless pieces that still feel cool. I think there's something really powerful about being able to exude sexiness while being fully covered."