It took an incredible amount of work, work, work, work, work to achieve Rihanna‘s jaw-dropping Met Gala 2026 hairdo.
In fact, the singer’s longtime hairstylist Yusef Williams took this year’s dress code “Fashion Is Art” quite literally when he came up with the inspiration behind his client’s jeweled curls and golden threaded crown.
“We leaned into the idea of a living sculpture,” Williams told British Vogue moments after the singer’s arrival to the May 4 fundraiser at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. “The hair had to complete the look, not compete with it.” (See every fashion look at the Met Gala 2026 here.)
And complimenting Rihanna’s sculptural Margiela by Glenn Martens couture gown—which featured a corset with over 115,000 crystal beads—meant incorporating 40 handcrafted wire curls that were painted gold into the 38-year-old’s hair with the help of luxury accessories designer Jennifer Behr.
“We kept it sleek and intentional, then reimagined vintage gold wire pin curls in a modern way, so it felt like a nod to history without looking costume,” Williams explained. “The hair was slicked tight to the head, with metal finger waves placed on top like a crown.”
