Sha’Carri Richardson’s Surprise Met Gala Debut With Lewis Hamilton From 2021 is Unforgettable

The feeling was “surreal” for Sha’Carri Richardson when she received the invitation to the Met Gala back in 2021. Themed ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,’ Richardson walked out from the Plaza Hotel, donning a striking Theophilio ensemble. Walking into New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, she introduced herself as a beauty novice and a proud Texas girl: “we go big or go home.” That, she did, alongside friend and British Formula One icon, Lewis Hamilton.

“I feel delicious! I feel like Cinderella,” Richardson shared with the laugh when a correspondent asked about how she felt walking the carpet at the Met Gala for the first time. She wore a red-orange corset-style top with a black, fringe skirt and black bangle and strappy, thigh-high boots. Her look was inspired by a phoenix, as she wanted to show “the world that no matter what you may see at mud or ashes, you can always rise up” – a testament that she wanted to leave after facing an uphill battle with the doping allegations in the same year. 

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton wore a black suit and lacy white button-down, all while posing for the camera alongside Sha’Carri Richardson, and three emerging fashion designers – Theophilio’s Edvin Thompson, Kenneth Nicholson, and Jason Rembert. The three of them were among a table of talented black designers who Hamilton invited to the Met.

“I wanted to create a table around supporting and celebrating up-and-coming young Black designers, and we’re living in a time where diversity and inclusion is so important,” Hamilton told Vogue. 

Interestingly, while Hamilton rocked his black attire, Richardson took the spotlight by coupling her red outfit with her classic long avant-garde nails – the fashion statement that defines the sprinter’s style. As she complimented her couture with a red clutch, she made sure to paint her nails in red, black, white and gold shades to match with her Theophilio’s ensemble. 

However, the sprinter credits the major chunk of her Met Gala look to the team of make-up artists and stylists who helped her highlight her features and made her debut one of a kind.

Sha’Carri Richardson embraced her signature style for the Met Gala

Known for her colorful wigs, and bold persona, Richardson opted to embrace her signature look for the 2021 black-tie extravaganza. While she effortlessly carried her style on the red carpet, Vogue captured behind the scenes nooks and crannies of who helped the sprinter to elevate that look. 

This time, leaving her fiery wig aside, the sprinter chose inky black tresses to match with her red-orange outfit. For which celebrity hair stylist, Nikki Nelms helped Richardson to explore multiple hairdressing options. On the other hand, Lancome Global International makeup artist, Sheika Daley helped the track star enhancing her features. “Less is more, so we want her to look fresh and beautiful while playing up the eyes,” said Daley while explaining the subtle makeup she gave to the sprinter.

After getting the exceptional makeover, when Sha’Carri Richardson left the Plaza Hotel, fans weren’t anticipating her debut at the Gala. Hence, when she reached the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the spectators were left astounded by her surprise appearance alongside F1 star Lewis Hamilton. Just three months after getting a ban in the wake of doping allegations, Richardson walked the red carpet of the 2021 Met Gala asserting, “Texas Girls, we go big or go home. If we are not coming all the way through, then we’re not coming at all.”