Lily Gladstone represents at 2024 Met Gala — one of just four Indigenous attendees

Seattle-area gem Lily Gladstone made a stunning appearance at a fancy little shindig known as the Met Gala this week.

Her attendance at the carefully curated New York City event was yet another reminder of her talent, grown at Mountlake Terrace High School. But for some onlookers, it was also a reminder of a persistent trend in fashion — a dearth of Indigenous stars, designers, and other attendees.

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Gladstone was one of just four Indigenous people at the Met Gala Monday, according to Urban Native Era, an Indigenous fashion brand.

"Dreaming of the day we get to see more than 4 Indigenous People at the [Met Gala]," the brand wrote on Instagram, "but until then thank you [Quannah Rose Chasinghorse-Potts], [Lily Gladstone], and [Christian Allaire] for representing."

(New Zealand filmmaker and actor Taika Waititi was also at the Gala. Urban Native Era removed Waititi from the brand's Instagram post on Indigenous attendees.)

Gladstone, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, made film history earlier this year when she became the first Indigenous person to win a Golden Globe for best actress and the first Native American nominated for an Oscar in the best actress category. She attended the Met Gala in a custom ensemble by Gabriela Hearst and indigenous jeweler Keri Ataumbi.

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"We decided on a dress and cape that represented her ancestors holding and carrying for," the designer wrote on Instagram. "The organza cape and silk wool dress had constellations embroidered as seen from the Great Plains on the summer solstice, including the Orion and the Pleiades. The Pleiades, specially requested by Lily Gladstone, is embroidered at the neckline of the cape as a custom closure."

Quannah Rose Chasinghorse-Potts, who was born in the Navajo Nation, was also in attendance. Her mother is Han Gwich'in, and her father is Oglala and Sicangu Lakota. New Zealand filmmaker and actor Taika Waititi, who is Maori on his father's side, made an appearance. Vogue senior fashion and style write Christian Allaire worked the red carpet for the magazine while representing his Ojibwe heritage.

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Allaire wrote about the experience for Vogue — and how his place at the Met Gala "demanded a spotlight on contemporary Indigenous design."

"For one, our people have been carrying on our craftwork for centuries—constantly finding new ways to keep our unique traditions and motifs alive," Allaire wrote. "Also, our designs have always been rooted in nature, often featuring imagery of plants, animals, and more. To me, the theme afforded an ideal opportunity to spotlight a contemporary Native American artist."

Allaire chose Jamie Okuma — whose work has been displayed at the Met, Allaire noted — to take on the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" theme. Allaire's piece for Vogue dutifully details the process of making his ensemble, black trousers and suit jacket set apart with a vibrant floral design that was hand-appliquéd.

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And just as the people behind Urban Native Era both celebrated the inclusion of Indigenous peoples while also lamenting their under-representation, Allaire too seemed to feel the dual nature of the moment.

"Wearing the finished custom suit and bag on the Met steps on Monday, I couldn’t help but feel the spirit of my ancestors walking along with me — especially because many archival imagery showcase Ojibwe men donning such similar pieces," he wrote in Vogue. "It also felt poignant to proudly wear an Indigenous designer to an event like the Met, where Native talents so rarely get their due."

Clarification notice, 11:00 a.m. on Monday, 5/13/2024: This story has been updated to clarify that Lily Gladstone's Met Gala ensemble was by both Gabriela Hearst and Keri Ataumbi. A previous version of the story neglected to name Ataumbi.