Sitting in the front row about three months ago when Coach presented its Fall 2024 collection at New York Fashion Week, I distinctly remember two items from the Downtown Uptown collection that were praised in the editors' group chat: the first on May Monday: these items were the root of the look that Euphoria star Storm Reid had customized for the 2024 Met Gala, styled by Jason Bolden

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Reid arrived on the steps of the Met wearing an expanded version of the brand's runway centerpiece, arm-in-arm with Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers. Her skirt was pistachio, not the baby pink dress he designed for fall 2024. It was strewn with tiny flowers and had a voluminous train extending down the length of it. On top, there was a tough element of contrast: a black bustier-like top and a leather jacket (a signature from Coach's vast archives) draped over her shoulders.

According to Vevers, the runway was merely a "starting point" for a twist on the "Garden of Time" dress code. Reed's personality brought that vision to life. He exclusively told Marie Claire, "I added a youthful touch while retaining a little sweetness, a little tough romance."

Turning the runway's punk princess look into a dress that embodies Reid's personal style began with the palette. Says Vevers, "This year we wanted to make a statement with color, so we worked with a fabric mill to create the perfect green silk taffeta." The creative director worked closely with Reed to select the shades she would wear on the red carpet. The pale pistachio green was fresh and bright, yet soft at the same time."

Naturally, some flowers were needed to nail the evening's dress code, "The Garden of Time." Vevers went the understated route by adding hand-cut floral appliqué detailing to the oversized ribbon of the skirt.

When Reed walked the Met Gala carpet, she looked rather floaty. Despite its volume, which took hours in the studio to perfect, the dress looked light and airy.

"I wanted to find the right balance of lightness and volume for Storm's skirt. 'More than 50 yards of silk taffeta were supported by an inner petticoat composed of hundreds of yards of tulle. The petticoat alone took over three days to cut and another week to assemble"

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Reed's accessories, on the other hand, were simple classics. In one hand, she clutched a trendy Coach tabby bag, adorned with an oversized New York City charm, and a patchwork leather jacket draped over her shoulder. The total effect was like she had envisioned a prim and perfect vision and started to get dressed, but before heading out, she grabbed two well-loved items.

According to Vevers, both of Reed's accessories are made from vintage and vintage leathers that are no longer in use. Incorporating re-loved materials into the look has led Vevers to think in a new way: "As a designer, working with repurposed materials changes the way you think. As a designer, working with repurposed materials changes the way you think. Hence, both of the patchwork pieces have a subtle downtown feel to them.

Not every aspect of Storm Reid's ensembles is made from previously used materials, but Vevers says it is important to look for moments to experiment with sustainable practices (especially when leading one of New York fashion's biggest brands). He says, "This process of learning, prototyping, and learning from what we design allows us to make continuous progress, building on past innovations."

The end result is a look that takes fashion fans back to their runway-inspired roots, making us all even more aware of its merits.