Tyla's fashion warm-up: stealing the spotlight before the Met Gala

Amidst the buzz surrounding the Met Gala, the streets of New York have predictably become a vibrant hub of style.

From A-listers to fashion darlings, the who's who of global celebrity is out in full force, dropping lewks as if it’s Fashion Week. But here in Mzansi, all eyes are on one woman: Tyla.

And if her previous pre-Met outfits are anything to go by, she’s coming for necks again this year. 

The Met Gala is the fashion Olympics, where celebrities are expected to bring the drama, artistry, and a little bit of madness to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hosted annually by "Vogue" editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, the event raises funds for the Costume Institute while serving as the ultimate visual feast. Themes are given. Expectations are high. And anyone who doesn’t bring it? Well, the internet never forgets.

This past weekend, Tyla stepped out styled by Law Roach - the same man who helped establish Zendaya’s fashion icon status. Known for his "image architect" approach, Roach loves playing with nostalgia, reinvention and a touch of drama.

So naturally, he pulled out a stunner for Tyla, which was a vintage Roberto Cavalli mini dress straight from the Italian label’s autumn/winter 2004 collection.

The brocade and lace combination, ruffled bubble hem, and moody baroque detailing screamed early 2000s opulence. Think sultry elegance with a side of sass. Trust her to make a two-decade-old dress feel completely 2025.

Later that evening, the Gen Z fashion queen took it up another notch in a second Cavalli number: a satiny silver suit with a fierce crocodile-print effect.

With trousers so low-rise they practically grazed her hips, it was giving full Y2K fantasy, well, minus the cringe. Laced details at the waist sealed the deal, adding a rugged femininity that only someone like Tyla could pull off.

And just when you thought she might take a breather - darling, never. The pièce de résistance? The standout look of the weekend was a burnt orange striped silk ensemble by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker. 

Coker, known for her Afro-diasporic storytelling through fashion, is making waves with her unapologetically bold, cultural aesthetic. Her pieces often celebrate Black identity with rich textures, layered fabrics and political undertones.

Celebs like Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Tems, Doechii, Maya Jama and Tiwa Savage have all rocked her pieces, proving that Coker’s aesthetic is global.

From the Grammys to music videos, her work has been seen across red carpets and creative stages.