‘I played dress-up with my mum and sisters’ – Tyla opens up on inspiration behind her Met Gala look
By Katemarthason Okudo, May 8, 2026South African music star Tyla has shared the childhood memories and fashion inspirations that shaped her striking appearance at the 2026 Met Gala, where she arrived dressed in a custom Valentino creation inspired by a peacock.
The singer, who has quickly become one of the most talked-about young stars on the global fashion scene, said her love for fashion started long before the red carpets, luxury brands, and international fashion shows.
How her fashion started
Speaking during an interview on Thursday, 8 May 2026, about her relationship with fashion, Tyla said, “I always liked dressing up and playing dress up with my sisters and my mother. And I would always watch the Met Gala and rate everyone’s outfits.” She admitted that, at first, she did not fully understand the artistic side of high fashion when she was younger.
“But I think before I started getting invited to fashion shows and stuff, I did not get it, I’m not going to lie,” she said. “Like I would see crazy outfits and be like, ‘Really? You’re not really going to wear that out.”
She explained that her perspective changed once she entered the fashion world and began learning more from stylists and designers. “But when I started getting invited to fashion shows and learning from stylists, I just really fell in love with how it is its own form of art,” Tyla added.
This year marked Tyla’s third appearance at the Met Gala, and once again, she made sure her look stood out. Alessandro Michele designed the outfit for Maison Valentino, embracing the gala’s “Fashion Is Art” dress code and the Metropolitan Museum’s “Costume Art” exhibition theme.
Tyla stepped onto the famous Met steps in a dramatic blue-green gown inspired by the colours and elegance of a peacock. The look featured a satin bleu paon skirt with a daring thigh-high slit and a silver rhinestone waistline. The upper part of the dress included a sheer tulle top decorated with sequins, fringes, and shimmering details that stretched down her arms.
Creativity
Speaking about the creative direction behind the outfit, Tyla revealed that nature has become a major source of inspiration for her lately. “I love animalistic things,” she said, adding that she is moving in that direction creatively because of her upcoming album. “I’m inspired by the world and nature.”
Since making her Met Gala debut in 2024, wearing a sculpted Balmain sand dress, Tyla has become one of the event’s most closely watched stars. In 2025, she attended as part of the hosting committee in a white Jacquemus gown before returning this year in another bold Valentino moment.
For Tyla, however, the moment appeared to be about more than just another red carpet appearance. It was also a reflection of the little girl who once played dress up at home with her family and dreamed while watching the Met Gala from afar.