Here’s What I Wore To The Met Gala After Part
What We’re Wearing is an intimate look inside the closets of ESSENCE editors. Beyond the labels, we’re sharing how we personally style our lives—for everything from high-profile galas to effortless […] The post Here’s What I Wore To The Met Gala After Part appeared first on Essence.
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Akili dancing the night away. Photo by Getty Images. 
By Akili King ·Updated May 7, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… What We’re Wearing is an intimate look inside the closets of ESSENCE editors. Beyond the labels, we’re sharing how we personally >House of Aama.
And this is not only because Akua Shabaka, one half of the brand’s founding duo, is one of my friends and major inspirations. It’s also because I feel their pieces make me feel like my most authentic self—free, comfortable, elegant, regal, and confident.
I think it all really comes down to their vintage-like silhouettes that pay homage to the African diaspora and thesrc="https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/05/AKILI-BFA.jpg" alt="Here’s What I Wore To The Met Gala After Part" width="400" height="600" />BFA
All that to say, when it came down to selecting something to wear for The Met Gala BOOM After Party, that Questlove spun at (he had me dancing all night!), on Monday night, I immediately knew this pink dress would be the perfect choice.
I wanted something that somewhat embodied the theme “Fashion Is Art.” Or rather, my interpretation of it, in an understated way, of course, given I didn’t attend the gala itself. When I think about the theme this year, I think back to times when I felt my most artistic, creative, and free. Childhood certainly comes to mind, as, for me, it wassrc="https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/05/8FE7974B-B274-4C6B-8BBF-71D0DCD58F7C_1_201_a-scaled.jpeg" alt="Here’s What I Wore To The Met Gala After Part" width="400" height="533" />
Accompanying the look, I wore this Chanel pink clutch, that was technically a makeup bag the Chanel Beauty team gifted me last year, but it looks so cute as a purse as well! On the feet, I opted for my pink Kendall Miles heels.
When it came to my glam, I have to give love to my Glamsquad family for this! Specifically, they gave me the best pink pedicure earlier that day, and sent makeup artist PrissyKhrissy to do my makeup. She did an amazing job and made my skin look and feel so hydrated, and as though I wasn’t even wearing much makeup at all (shout out to the Juvia’s Place Concealer she put me on to).
All in all? I felt playful and pretty! In my opinion, that’s the perfect recipe for a great night out.
TOPICS: What We’re WearingThe post Here’s What I Wore To The Met Gala After Part appeared first on Essence.
