The making-of process for Gladstones striking outfit began a few months back.
It is a tapestry of time, under the veil of night.
The design concept evolved out of early conversations between Hearst and Ataumbi.
Photo: Getty Images
Our ancestors are in the constellationswe’re star people, says Ataumbi.
Mapping out nine different constellations onto a garment was no easy feat.
“The idea was to have the constellations as seen from the Great Plains, says Hearst.
Photo: Razelle Benally
(The Pleiades, for example, are found at the cape neckline, as a custom closure.)
When people look at the stars, they often think about constellations from the western perspective, says Ataumbi.
I wanted [to represent] how the original peoples look at the stars.
Photo: Razelle Benally
Finding the right silhouette for the garmentto allow for the constellations to truly shinewas easy, says Hearst.
The designers landed on a clean, minimal dress and cape that made the stars the focal point.
For Ataumbi, the idea of a cape resonated in a special way.
Photo: Razelle Benally
In our [Kiowa] warrior society, the men wear capes, says Ataumbi.
We wanted to play with an iteration of a traditional Native design, but make it contemporary.
The jeweler adds that working with Hearst on incorporating such mindful touches was special.
[The process] actually felt like the way Native women do things, says Ataumbi.
Everything we do is a collaboration; It’s not just one person.
Everyone brings something to the tableIt’s about women’s voices coming together to create something whole.
The Met Gala is a competition of attention-grabbingeverybody’s dresses are on steroids, says Hearst.
But Lily commands this grace and attention when she walks into the room.
I wanted her to feel regal says Hearst.
Ataumbi echoes the sentimentand wanted to ensure the final design reflected this as well.
Im so proud of Lilyshe is breaking so many barriers, says Ataumbi.
For Gladstone, having the spirit of Indigenous design present at the Met Gala meant everything.
Simply put: Its time.
