A 3 AM Wake-Up and Then a Royal Look: Behind the Scenes With a Tech CEO Dressing for the Met Gala

This year at fashion’s biggest night, Imah teamed up with Los Angeles-based designer Charles Harbison of Harbison Studio. Imah donned an outfit made by the designer that was inspired by the event’s “Costume Art” theme and “Fashion Is Art” dress code, as well as Imah’s Nigerian heritage and background in tech.

“I had a few data points for me in terms of, I want something that looks like royalty, that also has some infusion of tech, and also pays homage to my background, being Nigerian,” Imah says. “But then outside of that, it’s up to Charles to really express his creativity.”

The result? Imah walked the Met Gala’s red carpet in a head-to-toe champagne-colored ensemble. Harbison’s double-breasted Constellation business suit in champagne wool anchored the outfit, together with a silk pajama shirt. On top of the shirt, Imah wore a gold-encrusted gilet, also known as a waistcoat, that Harbison says he wanted to look like a bulletproof vest. The showstopper was Harbison’s Paix evening cape—a long, satin garment with gilded trim. Harbison also supplied Imah jewelry from his collection: Crescent and Saturn brooches, and encrusted Eclipse earrings that Imah customized into an “epic” ear cuff, according to Harbison. Imah also wore gloves, one of them gilded, just like the cape and gilet.

Harbison says that the look brought together “a combination of elements,” meant to channel “a tech business man at war, who’s King of AI.”

“With SpreeAI being so innovative in what they’re configuring in the fashion industry I wanted this look to also mirror that,” Harbison says. “That’s why you have the armoured vest, the regalia, the silhouette—it all amplifies that presentation for him, and it’s also a modern interpretation on menswear.”

It’s on-brand for Imah, who co-founded AI-powered fashion tech company SpreeAI in 2022. The company’s core offering is B2B AI-powered virtual try-on, supported by features like fit and size prediction, and tools that measure retail metrics like conversion, return-rate, and order value. SpreeAI has also teased upcoming features like 360 degree try-on and item recommendations. The technology is meant to function as a virtual fitting room that helps brands boost sales and cut back on product returns.