Aariana Rose Philip at the Met Gala, in a Wheelchair, First Time

May 5. Aariana Rose Philip walked the Met Gala carpet in a wheelchair. First time in the event's history, per multiple outlets. She wore Collina Strada, designed by Hillary Taymour, who attended alongside her.

The piece itself: a structured gown with hand-painted florals, built to work seated. The silhouette reads from the waist up, where most gala photos crop anyway. Taymour's studio spent three weeks on the fitting process, adjusting for the chair's frame and the model's posture. The result doesn't announce itself as adaptive. It announces itself as Collina Strada.

The Met installed a temporary ramp at the main entrance on Friday. The logistics were reportedly worked out six weeks in advance, coordinated between Philip's team, the museum, and Vogue's event production. Not a surprise drop. A planned accommodation that hadn't been needed before because no one in a wheelchair had been invited.

Philip has modeled for Taymour since 2022, when Collina Strada cast her for a lookbook shoot. She's since appeared in campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger and Target's adaptive line. The Met Gala booking elevates the visibility, but it's consistent with where her career has been tracking.

The gala's dress code this year was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," tied to the Costume Institute's current exhibition. Philip's gown stayed within the theme while working around a set of design constraints most attendees don't face. Taymour has built a practice around inclusive casting, but this was the first time that practice had to solve for the Met's marble stairs and a global photo line.

The ramp stays up through the weekend for public museum access. After that, it comes down. Next year's gala is eleven months out.