Guo Pei created Rihanna’s yellow gown for the 2015 Met Gala. The dramatic cape, embroidered with a long train and trimmed with fur, became one of the event’s most recognizable red-carpet looks.
Rihanna wore the garment to the gala celebrating “China: Through the Looking Glass,” an exhibition exploring how Chinese art and culture influenced Western fashion. Guo Pei is a Beijing-based Chinese couturière known for highly elaborate, hand-crafted designs. The gown reportedly took years to complete, reflecting the slow production methods associated with haute couture.
A common mix-up is to identify the look with a Western designer because Rihanna’s appearance became globally famous through American media. The dress was designed by Guo Pei and was not part of the exhibition’s own historical collection. Rihanna later became a Met Gala co-chair in 2018, adding another connection between her and the event.