There's a Very Personal Backstory to Naomi Osaka's Elaborate Louis Vuitton Met Gala Dress

Naomi Osaka is here to make a statement. On Monday night, the four-time Grand Slam champion swapped her tennis gear for designer fashion at the 2021 Met Gala. Naomi is one of the co-chairs of the annual fashion event, and as a Louis Vuitton ambassador, it only made sense that she would team up with the brand for a very special Met Gala dress. Naomi wore a dress designed by Nicolas Ghesquière and her older sister, Mari Osaka. “Americana to me means a mix of all cultures, and this look incorporates both of my heritages: Haitian and Japanese,” she said during her red carpet interview.

The silk corset dress features a beautiful red bow and a black layered cape with 22 ruffles, to be exact! According to Vogue, the design of the dress began as a “digital watercolor art piece” by Mari, which is adorned with Koi fish as a tribute to their Japanese heritage. “The fact that Nicolas, Mari, and I could come together bringing this to life is something I am very honored to be a part of,” Naomi said.

Check out photos of Naomi’s stunning and incredibly meaningful Louis Vuitton dress at the Met Gala ahead, which she attended with boyfriend Cordae.