Last night’s Met Gala theme was “In America”, which celebrities took to the stage to interpret. Billie Eilish paid tribute to Marilyn Monroe. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez wore a dress with “Tax The Rich” in red, while Kim Kardashian went unnoticed in a Balenciaga blackout hoodie.
Standing out amid the star-studded guest list, 19-year-old Indigenous model and activist Quannah Chasinghorse was praised by social-media commentators for her look, with many remarking that she really “understood the assignment” of American representation.
Chasinghorse, who goes by Quannah Rose on Instagram, identifies with her Indigenous ancestry, both Han Gwich’in (from Canada and Alaska) and Native American Oglala Lakota (from South Dakota). Vogue recently profiled the up-and-coming model, calling her one of fashion’s “freshest new faces.” Chasinghorse, who is visually stunning without any makeup, is well-known for her Han Gwich’in face tattoos. These lines run down her chin and extend out from her corners. Yidiiltoo is a symbol of life’s events. Chasinghorse explained to Vogue that the lines symbolize the ability to overcome personal and generational traumas.
Chasinghorse was able to work with a whole styling team, as the Met has high standards. Her aunt flew to NYC and she wore a Peter Dundas gold cut-out dress with authentic Navajo turquoise jewellery. Gucci Westman, founder and creator of Westman Atelier makeup label, created a bold beauty look that highlighted glowing skin with products from 111SKIN, intensified eyes and a soft nude lips. Westman said, “Quannah’s strong, passionate and beautiful – and I wanted the makeup to complement that.”
Westman used a pair of Chanel, Le Crayon Eye Definer, and Noir Liquid Liner to “really define” the tear line. Next, she applied Westman Atelier Eye Pods’ Noir eyeshadow with Bonne Chance, a khaki-green shade. Finally, she swept the cream powder along Chasinghorse’s lower lashline. She used a mixture of rosy shades from her Westman Atelier Lip Suit palette in Les Nudes to create the lips.
We expect to see more red-carpet looks by Chasinghorse from the Met Gala onward. She is not only an advocate and voice for Indigenous communities but she is also a young person whose point of view and style speaks to and includes a long-suffering community.
