The track and field Olympic gold medalist spoke with WWD about her look by Valentino’s Alessandro Michele, her getting-ready rituals and more.

“My look is inspired by Black power — by Black women power,” said Sha’Carri Richardson, getting ready at the Carlyle Hotel for her second time at the Met Gala — and her first as a Host Committee member for the event.

“I want to represent the feminine power of Black women, and show that there is not just one particular way to be powerful and feminine at the same time,” continued the 25-year-old track and field star, who worked with Valentino’s Alessandro Michele for a look that embodied her vision and this year’s “Tailored for You” dress code.

The result? A cream-colored, strapless dress featuring chiffon draping, Chantilly lace accents and a large bow at the back, layered atop a lavender, wisteria-lace bodysuit with long sleeves.

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“Working with Alessandro just felt like a team coming together; he understood that I am a powerful Black woman and that I want to push norms, and he definitely wanted to do the same thing,” continued Richardson, who took home two Olympic medals last summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including a gold medal for the women’s 4 x 100 meter relay.

Of course, Richardson isn’t one to pass up a moment for some statement beauty — and the 2025 Met Gala was no exception. Hairstylists Ikeyia Powell and Khyra Jenae fashioned a style involving waist-length tresses adorned with ribbons and chiffon bows of varying sizes, while makeup artists Kharisma Pari and Dana Michele doubled down on the purple with a fully lavender eye shadow look.

“Purple was my mom’s favorite color, so I can see how it would look good on me, too,” Richardson said, smiling.

Her nails were also in full force, with nail artist Angie Aguirre describing the stiletto-shaped style entailing different adornments for each nail as “a garden on a finger.”

“Nails are my thing — today, they’re gorgeous, colorful, powerful, and,” Richardson paused, “me.”

As far as her pre-Met Gala rituals, listening to anything Glorilla is top of the list.

“She’s my main girl right now — if I feel like my energy is dropping, or I want to take it to the next level, I’m definitely playing Glorilla,” said Richardson (as if on cue, the Memphis rapper’s “Let Her Cook” started playing on the hotel room speaker). “That’s probably my ritual — not even just for the Met, but in life.”

The final touch for Richardson’s look? A custom-made, diamond-encrusted grill.