It was a special evening for Sam Smith at the 2024 Met Gala: The singer rang in their very first Met red carpet wearing a custom creation by their partner, designer Christian Cowan. “I couldn’t have dreamed of a better companion for the occasion,” Smith tells Vogue. “I think of the Gala as fashion Christmas—just as fabulous and just as serious, given the incredible work done at the Met.”
Cowan and Smith, who have been dating since last year, stepped out in fashion unison of course: They both wore sleek evening tuxedos. Cowan designed a white tuxedo for himself, and a black design for Smith featuring a sheer chiffon skirt overlay.
Cowan was inspired to create the dual looks after reading J.G. Ballard’s short story The Garden of Time, which served as the official dress code for the night. “We immediately looked towards old-world tailoring—specifically, Oscar Wilde,” says Cowan. “As for the choice of flora, I gravitated toward the English rose, something celebrating both Sam and I s heritage. The roses are in fact real red roses, then dipped into solid 24-carat gold and sterling silver; These roses then skewer through the tailoring, forming as a closure.”
Considering they were hitting the step and repeat as a romantic duo, it was also important for Cowan to add distinctive accents to each of their ensembles. “Sam s look is finished with a chiffon skirt to balance the traditional masculine tailoring toward a gender neutral position," says Cowan. For Smith, the design struck all the right notes. “I always feel beautiful whenever I wear Christian’s clothes, both inside and out,” says Smith. “Tonight’s is a particularly perfect fit.”
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