The Mastermind Behind Met Gala Hair: Chris Appleton’s Process
When you see Kim Kardashian step onto the Met Gala carpet, it’s easy to get lost in the glitter, dresses, and flashbulbs. But there’s a whirlwind of work happening in the background, and if you zoom in—no, really, if you zoom in—you’ll spot the handiwork of Chris Appleton, the celebrity hairstylist who’s forged a reputation for his red carpet mastery.
The 2025 Met Gala served up the challenge of a new theme, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.' Appleton knew the stakes were sky high. With media lenses sharper than ever and livestreams that broadcast every stray hair to millions, there’s no room for slip-ups. "You can zoom in on everything—every strand, every pore," he admits. For Appleton, it’s not just about the hair but about creating a package: the hair, the makeup, the overall styling. He compares the process to a wedding prep, but with an even more intense spotlight—more eyes, more opinions, more pressure.
Red Carpet Hair That Makes a Statement
So what goes into picking the right look? For this year’s Met Gala, Appleton went with vintage waves and soft curls for Kardashian. It wasn’t just about being bold but showing off a fresh side of her: glamorous but still soft, powerful but not overpowering. He and Kardashian worked closely to get there. It’s less about forcing a new trend and more about making sure everything fits the theme, flatters her, and feels real for that one night.
This isn’t Appleton’s first rodeo with Kardashian. Remember the 2021 Met Gala, where she channeled Marilyn Monroe with that platinum-blonde bun? He was behind that. Or her 2018 ‘Heavenly Bodies’ look with the extra sleek half-up style? That was his too. But every year, he’s forced to rethink and reimagine what could possibly top the last look while still revealing something new about his client.
Behind the scenes, Appleton says there’s a lot of teamwork. Sometimes hours are spent tweaking a single curl or smoothing one stubborn strand. And with the HD close-ups, there’s just no mercy. Even before Kardashian heads to the event, the process involves test runs, brainstorms, and a little bit of healthy panic when it all comes down to the final minutes before she steps out. The goal? Make her glow and make sure nothing distracts from the vision.
All of this boils down to a careful balance—a mix of creativity, technical skill, and collaboration. For Appleton, that’s where the magic happens, year after year at the Met Gala.
