Chase Sui Wonders Sarcastically Describes Her First Met Gala as "Effortless"—See Everything That Went Into It
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Chase Sui Wonders's first Met Gala—the day starting with binge-watching action movies and ending in raw-edged McQueen couture.
The thing about the Met Gala is that it exists in two drastically different timelines at once: the perfectly curated final looks we see grace the carpet and the contrasting chaos that ensues in the hotel suite during the 24 hours that lead up to the big night. In the case of The Studio actress Chase Sui Wonders, the latter included late-night movie binges, shuffling between five different beauty treatments, and a playlist that hits every genre and decade of music in just 30 minutes. This year marked both her first Met Gala and her debut as a host committee member—an experience that felt, in her words, like a "fever dream" in the best possible way.
Although many stars attempt to convince you that the day starts in pure Pinterest-worthy, aesthetic bliss, a refreshingly honest Sui Wonders confirmed that her day didn't exactly begin with meditation or green juice. In fact, it started somewhere between fiction and adrenaline.
"I watched Total Recall and Die Hard back-to-back until 3 a.m., so technically, it began with John McClane saying 'Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker!'" she says.
If that tone feels slightly unhinged, it's because the day itself, well, is, yet what unfolded from there was a look rooted in something deeply romantic.
This year's dress code, Fashion Is Art, left plenty of room for interpretation, but Sui Wonders approached it with a surprisingly specific reference point.
"I thought about my favorite pieces of art I've seen in the past year and immediately thought of the wall murals I fell in love with when I went to the Roman city of Pompeii a couple weeks ago," she tells Who What Wear. "They're these almost-perfectly-preserved portraits of daily life in ancient Rome. They used all-natural pigments. They're so romantic, and some of them date back to 200 BC."
The result was a lilac silk georgette–and-satin gown from McQueen's A/W 26 collection complete with an oversize bow and raw edges that gave the look a sense of intentional imperfection. Styled by Thomas Carter Phillips, the dress was paired with Wolford layers, McQueen's satin sandals, and Jean Schlumberger Tiffany & Co. jewelry that climbed up the ear. The final effect felt equal parts ethereal and grounded.
"The edges of the dress are raw, which I thought made the look feel so complete yet undone. Also, I didn't have time to get a manicure! Sue me!" she says.
For Sui Wonders, choosing McQueen was instinctive, especially under Seán McGirr's direction.
"I've always been a fan of McQueen, and Seán McGirr has brought such a brilliant freshness to the brand," she tells us. "My jaw dropped when I saw his latest collection. Also, the Jean Schlumberger Tiffany & Co jewels that crawl up the ear take it all to a different level."
In the end, the look leaned more romantic than Sui Wonders's past red carpet appearances, a shift she was fully aware of and leaned into. "It's more feminine. I'm a big-time tomboy, but there's a little lady somewhere in there, and she was on display tonight," she says.
If there's one myth about Met Gala prep worth dispelling, it's that it's this graceful, effortless moment of everything falling into place perfectly. The reality is it's chaotic.
"I did five separate beauty treatments today. Life is effortless. ✨"
Her glam team—makeup artist Shayna Goldberg and hairstylist Blake Erik—brought everything together, with makeup by Ilia and hair products by Milk_Shake adding to the soft, romantic finish.
While you might expect green juice and elaborate snacks in the hours leading up to the carpet, Sui Wonders kept it… minimal. When we asked her what her go-to meal is the day of the big event, she replies honestly, "Air, deep breathing, maybe a cube of ice, perhaps a mint as a treat. Just being real here."
Like any good getting-ready moment, the playlist set the tone: eclectic, nostalgic, and just a little chaotic. "Madonna, Addison, Daft Punk, Skatt Bros, Air, Peter Ivers. The freakin' classics," she recommends.
Between her role on the host committee and her first walk up the Met steps, the night carried extra meaning, and once it was over, the processing began almost immediately: "[It was] such an honor! Baby's first Met, and I got to be on the host committee?! Getting to gossip on the pod with Chloe Malle and Chioma Nnadi directly after the big night was a dream. [It was the] perfect way to process the fever dream. (Also, see photos for when I got the news.)"
As for what she'll remember most? That part, apparently, stays off the record.
"Nothing I can put in writing ;)))))))))," she says.
What she could put into words, though, was the feeling that lingered after everything wrapped—the part that doesn't show up in photos.
"Feeling like life is beautiful 🔮 and it 🔮takes 🔮 a🔮 village 🔮 and there is some real heartfelt community in that," she explains.
Maybe that's the real story behind the Met Gala—not just the "fashion as art" moments on the carpet but the people, energy, and chaos behind the scenes that make it all come together.
Photographer: Alexandra Arnold
Stylist: Thomas Carter Phillips
Hairstylist: Blake Erik
Makeup Artist: Shayna Goldberg
Creative Director: Alexa Wiley
Entertainment Director: Jessica Baker
Producer: Erin Corbett
