*At this year’s Met Gala, few names carried as much behind-the-scenes weight as Lionel Nichols. The Brooklyn native, a self-taught tailor who began sewing in his bedroom, became a centerpiece of the night by defining its style.
Nichols played a crucial role in constructing two of the most memorable ensembles of the night: Diana Ross’s regal 18-foot train and Jeremy O’Harris’s bold nod to Black dandyism. “I created the pattern to define the shape and length,” Nichols said of Ross’s train, per TheGrio. “Then moved on to the muslin so we could physically visualize the look.” Once the structure was in place, embellishments followed, hand-beading, embroidery featuring Ross’s family names, and delicate featherwork.
This marked Nichols’ second year collaborating with Balmain, and for O’Harris, precision was key: “I made sure the fit was flawless,” Nichols explained, adding internal wiring to O’Harris’s tie to control its movement. “These refinements help make sure the overall look stays sharp and functional.”
The theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” resonated deeply with Nichols. “It wasn’t just fashion, it was a movement,” he said. “A protest in its own way. For me, it became a personal win over self-doubt.”
As creative director of the LA-based fashion house Mario & Lee, Nichols continues to fuse craftsmanship with community. A chance interaction at the Gala, with a young Black girl who said his work inspired her to dream big, became a full-circle moment.
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“It reminded me how powerful it is just to show up as yourself,” he said.
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