Gigi Hadid Wore the Most Expensive Outfit, but Simone Biles’ 2021 Met Gala Dress Made a ‘Statement’

“This dress really celebrates tapping into keeping it simple, keeping it quality,” Gigi Hadid had said about her monochrome Prada outfit at the 2021 Met Gala. Her freshly done red hair color attracted a lot of attention. However, it was her jewelry that stole the show. Her Jacob & Co’s 118-carat necklace and 10-carat earrings completed the look. Together, they cost a whopping USD 12 million.

While that was outstanding in terms of price, not far behind was Simone Biles, with her 88-pound two-piece ensemble crafted by Area and Athleta. Simone declared her outfit superior, asserting, “I personally don’t think anybody’s dress is gonna be better than mine.” This bold statement wasn’t wrong as her dress left a memorable mark in the history of the Met Gala fashion. But that was not merely a fashion revolution. Rather, as Simone had pointed out, the impeccably crafted piece added something more to Simone’s persona.

Simone Biles’ Met Gala 2021 debut was beautifully empowering!

“It’s definitely heavy, but I feel beautiful, strong, and empowered,” Simone said in 2021, as per Vogue. Teaming up with stylist Leslie Fremar, Athleta collaborated with Area to craft the stunning ensemble for Biles, who attended the event as an esteemed guest of the company. Her debut at the Met Gala was a unique blend of sporty elegance, featuring a star-patterned turtleneck bodysuit layered beneath a dazzling Swarovski crystal-encrusted gown. It even had a detachable train. The train was so heavy that it had to be carried up the steps by a team of six men! So image the efforts it took to make the dress.

A dedicated team of over 100 individuals invested 6,650 hours to meticulously embellish and construct the garments. The intricate craftsmanship and the look exuded effortless grace, perfectly complementing Biles’ radiant presence on the red carpet. Biles accessorized it with Giuseppe Zanotti heels.

The attire had a vision behind it. Her team described the dress as “the intersection where performance, strength, and beauty meet.” To further establish the statement, Biles’ hair and makeup also highlighted her inherent power.

“I wanted Simone’s hair to represent African American women with its texture and sleekness. The thickness and texture are the best of both worlds and really capture the epitome of African American hair. The stars represent power and beauty on a natural level, just like Simone does,” her hairstylist Nigella Miller had said about the hairdo. Alongside, her makeup was also done to complement the entire look.

“We kept it light to be sure the dress and her hair are the focal point, and she’s wearing very little foundation because her skin is flawless,” makeup artist Autumn Moultrie had said, explaining the look.

Notably, Simone has not just been a gymnast in leotards. She has often been an attendee at prominent fashion shows. Her fashion outings have been stunning on many occasions. At the beginning of 2024, Simone created quite a buzz with her outfit in an NFL match between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.

At the wild-card game, Biles showed up in a black pair of leggings and a cropped black top- a basic fit to accessorize with Packers-themed gear. She added an oversized black leather jacket with Owens’s name and number written in sequins on the back. She finished the look with a diamond “J” necklace and a pair of Packers-colored leather boots.

In 2016, she attended the New York Fashion Week with Aly Raisman. Simone’s all-white ensemble, loaded with crystals, had turned heads on that occasion. The heart cutout at the neckline and the little keyhole cutout at the back was the highlight of the outfit. In the same year, she also captured the limelight at the MTV Video Music Awards.

She walked the red carpet in a coral halter dress that was covered with sparkles. Her fashion choices have become bolder over the years. After the 2021 Met Gala appearance, she also attended the InStyle Awards in a navy-green gown with cutouts. It had a V-shaped neckline, two triangular cutouts at her waist, and a ruched skirt with a slit down the front. However, there is no reason to think that Simone is the only fashionable gymnast out there. At the 2021 Met Gala, one of her teammates also had a dazzling appearance.

Suni Lee shined in high fashion debut at the 2021 Met Gala!

Suni Lee made an impressive entrance into the world of high fashion at her first-ever Met Gala in 2021. The Minnesota native looked stunning in a gold two-piece gown tailored to perfection. It complemented her petite 5’0” frame. Her outfit featured a sleeveless crop, paired with a shiny gold skirt adorned with a slight train. The outfit was by Sukeina.

“It was just incredible and it felt so surreal to be able to say I’m going to the Met gala at 18,” she shared. While the dress was eye-catching, Lee’s makeup was simple and her hair was in a high ponytail. Her look made sense, considering she won a gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

Further, her head was crowned with a dainty mini-gold tiara that added a touch of sophistication. With this dazzling ensemble, Suni Lee and Simone Biles will always go down in history as fashion trendsetters with their on-fleek sense of sartorial style. What do you think?