Janelle Monáe Stuns at the Academy Museum Gala in Cobalt Wings

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
Janelle Monae
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Few individuals command a red carpet quite like Janelle Monáe. The multi-talented artist has established a reputation for gala looks that resemble living sculptures, from half-black, half-white tweed suits to gowns crafted from electrical cables. When she graces a carpet, it often becomes the highlight of the event.

The sixth annual Academy Museum Gala took place on October 17 in Los Angeles, honoring Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo, and John Carpenter, with Taylor Swift set to perform. Dubbed the “Met Gala of the West,” this event follows Fashion Month, typically showcasing bold fashion choices.

Janelle Monáe’s look for the Academy Museum Gala was no exception. She literally spread her wings in a stunning cobalt Robert Wun couture gown featuring a mermaid skirt and striking, shimmering wings that extended from the bodice.

In the video from the carpet, the gown sparkles from collar to hem in electric-blue sequins that transition to black near the bottom, creating an oil-slick effect. The mermaid skirt flares out at the floor, while the wings elegantly fan out from her décolletage, tapering down toward her hips. Sheer black sleeves and bright blue gloves enhance the insect-inspired couture aesthetic.

Monáe styled her hair in a sleek black bob, with the wings framing her face like a sculptural collar. The overall effect is both theatrical and polished, resembling a butterfly in full flight against a carpet that suddenly seemed much flatter in her presence.

Monáe wasn’t the only guest embracing the winged theme. Elle Fanning donned a custom Valentino gown featuring a butterfly bodice and a colorful skirt and cape, while Amandla Stenberg showcased a butterfly-adorned dress from Zimmermann’s Spring/Summer 2027 runway.

This motif created a unique thread throughout the evening, but Monáe took it to the next level. Her wings were the largest and most dramatic of the night.

Monáe’s gala look follows a very different moment at the Met Gala in May. For the 2026 Met Gala, she wore a custom Christian Siriano gown made from real electrical cables, moss, succulents, and circuit board fragments, adorned with 3D butterflies and dragonflies. This ensemble reportedly featured 5,000 black crystals, eight succulents, four moving butterflies, two dragonflies, and a motherboard.

She complemented it with a butterfly barrette in her chin-length black bob, and her hairstylist described the concept as living sculpture. Butterflies have clearly emerged as a recurring theme this year, and her gala gown transforms that idea into pure glamour.

Monáe’s history at galas is filled with memorable moments. In 2023, she wore an oversized half-black, half-white tweed suit by Thom Browne over a hoop skirt, which received rave reviews. Last year at the Met Gala, she donned a pinstriped suit and a deconstructed overcoat created with costume designer Paul Tazewell and Thom Browne for the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme.

In 2024, she attended in a silver cutout Vera Wang gown. This range, from menswear to couture to conceptual art, is a significant reason why each of her appearances garners so much attention.

Monáe shared the Academy Museum Gala carpet with a star-studded guest list, including Taylor Swift, Kate Hudson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kerry Washington, Hunter Schafer, and Amanda Seyfried, along with Chase Infiniti and Wunmi Mosaku.

In a sea of classic gowns featuring black velvet and sleek silhouettes, Monáe’s cobalt wings emerged as the boldest statement of the night. It served as a reminder of the gala’s potential when guests fully embrace the spectacle.

The look works because of its commitment. The wings are large enough to make a statement but are balanced by a streamlined mermaid skirt, while the electric-blue hue keeps it playful. It never feels like a costume, as the construction is meticulous and the sequins embody couture.

It also aligns perfectly with her brand. The ‘Hidden Figures’ star and ‘I Like That’ hitmaker has always viewed fashion as another form of expression, and this gown exemplifies that. Few other guests could carry such volume and still maintain their identity.

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