Janelle Monáe’s Unforgettable Met Gala Dress
For Janelle Monáe at the 2026 Met Gala, the outfit was far more than simply a stylish dress; it was an artistic creation that stood out. And the genius behind its movement? Cameron Hughes.
“The dress features four live butterflies and two dragonflies, all crafted by Christian Siriano,” Hughes, a 32-year-old animatronic engineer from Manhattan, shared exclusively. He meticulously designed these hand-wired creatures for the ten-time Grammy nominee.
Monáe certainly turned heads at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual fundraiser, which launched the Costume Institute’s spring exhibit, “Costume Art.” The event was star-studded, with icons like Beyoncé, Heidi Klum, and Rihanna all adhering to the theme of “Fashion is Art.”
In light of the recent pandemic, top designers were encouraged to transform garments into masterpieces akin to the historic works housed in the museum. Siriano took on the challenge, creating a gown inspired by Monáe’s vision: a moss and wire blend where “art overtakes machine.”
“Earth is overwhelming machines and technology,” Siriano explained in a conversation with Mr. E! The gown incorporated living moss, eight succulents, around 230 electrical wires, thousands of black crystals, along with Hughes’ animatronic creations.
Interestingly, Hughes was pulled into this collaboration just two weeks before the gala, with all three—Siriano, Monáe, and Hughes—working closely together. “Christian designed the entire dress in just over a week,” Hughes noted. “Once I added the butterflies and dragonflies, it all came together.”
Previously, Hughes showcased his talents at the 2025 Met Gala with “Superfine: Tailoring in Black Style,” where he designed a dynamic “watch monocle” for Monáe. The stylist had discovered his work on Instagram, which likely led to their collaboration again this year.
With a bachelor’s in fine arts from Syracuse University, Hughes utilized micro-servos—tiny actuators that control precise movements—to bring the winged elements to life. He crafted several butterflies and dragonflies from materials like silk organza using his personal 3D printer and laser cutter.
Hughes was assembling and finalizing these robotic elements right up until the gala. Nicknamed the controller “Electric Lady” after Monáe’s second album, it allowed her to manipulate the speed of the wings through a small button near her waist. Interestingly, there was also an iPhone app developed for additional control.
Hughes didn’t stop there; he also created a “Breaking Heart” handbag for influencer Sabrina Harrison, incorporating carbon fiber and nano servos. This accessory was decked out with gold plates from jewelry designer Chris Habana and originally featured a Wi-Fi function, but it ended up using a simpler on/off switch due to connectivity concerns.
Crafting these stunning pieces took nearly ten days. Hughes saw it as an elevation of his craft—taking fashion to new heights through robotics.
Reflecting on the intersection of fashion and technology, Hughes remarked, “[In fashion] beading and embroidery are lovely, but robotics opens new avenues for beauty.” It was a chance to truly connect with his dreams.
“Participating in the Met Gala is exhilarating—a dream come true,” he added. “I aim to be at the forefront of cultural evolution, merging fashion and technology to craft something extraordinary for the world.”
