Maya Penn's Met Gala Prep With Coach

On Including Her Personal Style and Ethos in Her Met Gala 2023 look:

Image Source: Ben Rosser

I love vintage from many, many different eras. A lot of what I wear is vintage, whether it's '70s or '80s or '40s, or anything in between. I grew up wearing hand-me-downs, and a lot of what I wear to conferences and red carpets is literally my mom's and my aunt's.

My personal style is a little bit of everything. I love anything that has a lot of personality, that has an artsy aesthetic to it, whether that is bringing in more colour or coming from a monochrome look. But something that I always say is that Mother Nature is my favourite designer, and a lot of my outfits are also very much drawing on the amazing beauty of the natural world, because no one can do it better than her.

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On the Importance of Wearing Her Natural Hair to the Met Gala:

Image Source: Ben Rosser

It's really important for me to wear my natural hair with this look. Because every picture that anyone's ever seen of me, I'm always wearing my natural hair. And especially on a night like the Met, I think it's even more important to show that Black hair is beautiful. It's elegant. It's glamorous.

I get so many messages from little Black girls who say they've been very inspired to love their natural hair texture more because I'm always wearing it on red carpets and speaking on global stages.

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On the Makeup Inspiration for the Met Gala

Image Source: Ben Rosser

For the inspiration for the makeup, [we went] very vintage, kind of classic. And I think that compliments the dress really well: the romantic style. It really came together so beautifully.

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On Her Purse Essentials for a Night Out:

Image Source: Ben Rosser

Essential for me — other than my phone, because everyone's phone is an extension of them at this point — I always bring one of those little chargers as well, just because things happen, and you want to not have to be stuck near a wall, charging your phone. That's really sad. No one wants to do that.

Other than that, this bag is smaller than most of the bags that I wear. I love how it looks. It compliments the dress so beautifully.

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On Her Upcoming Projects:

Image Source: Ben Rosser

I'm currently directing an animated short film that is titled "Asali: Power of The Pollinators." It is executive produced by Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, and JuVee Productions. It is being created through my production company, Upenndo! Productions.

I'm directing it. It's a project that I originally created when I was 11 years old. It's environmental, it's action, it's kick-ass, and it's heartfelt. So, I'm really excited about it. It features the voice talents of Whoopi Goldberg, Monique Coleman, Ronen Rubinstein, and so many more. So, that's been my world. I do have my fashion line, Maya's Ideas, which is a sustainable, eco-friendly clothing company.

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