Da’Vine Joy Randolph, the celebrated star of “The Holdovers” — who took home Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars this year — made her Met Gala red carpet debut in a draped denim gown by Gap.
“With this Gap gown, I’ve fallen back in love with denim,” Randolph said in a statement. “I feel powerful. It makes me feel very feminine, but in a way that I can identify with — through strength, power and resilience.”
It’s a custom look created in collaboration with Zac Posen, the executive vice president and creative director of Gap Inc., as well as chief creative officer of Old Navy. The designer was appointed in the role in February, overseeing creative for the Gap Inc. portfolio (which also includes Banana Republic and Athleta). This marks his first major project unveiling since he took the position.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph in Gap by Zac Posen and Zac Posen.
Lexie Moreland/WWD
“I’m proud to represent Gap Inc. — a portfolio of iconic American brands — on a world stage like the Met Gala, where fashion meets entertainment to shape the cultural conversation,” Posen said in a statement.
He took inspiration from “romanticism, nature and historic icons,” drawing from Gap’s classic 1969 denim, the company stated, “while incorporating elements reminiscent of historic evening wear from the 1700s.” A red lining on the gown symbolizes San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge (home to Gap Inc. headquarters), with a wavy trim evoking “the movement of water” — blending modernity with an 18th-century style silhouette.
“Throughout the creative process, I was reminded of my time at The Costume Institute, where I first encountered the exquisite beauty of historic garments,” Posen continued. “This dress is a tribute to the elegance, glamour and drama, which embodies the timeless allure of Da’Vine Joy Randolph, a true original in her craft and in her style.”
Posen joined Randolph wearing a custom Banana Republic suit and trousers draped in Italian wool, with a white silk bowtie and lily of the valley brooch from Verdura.