Naomi Osaka shines at the Met Gala with an outfit that took 3,200 hours to create.

Naomi Osaka dazzled at the Met Gala in an exclusive ensemble that took over 3,280 hours of handcrafted work – a true masterpiece of fashion that is leaving the world in shock! The Japanese tennis star, known for her bold looks on court, once again proved that she is much more than a top athlete. This time, she traded her racket for the red carpets, presenting herself at the year’s most iconic fashion event in a custom outfit by designer Robert Wun, which elevated her style to another level.

After co-chairing the Met Gala in 2021, Osaka returned to the event with renewed confidence and a look that stopped crowds. “A lot of people know me for my tennis outfits, but the Met Gala is the Grand Slam of fashion,” she confessed to Vogue. “Having the opportunity to be here and express my style on this stage is something truly incredible for me.” This statement reveals how much the fashion world has been shaping the life of the Japanese star, who seems increasingly comfortable exploring this facet.

The collaboration between Naomi Osaka and Robert Wun is not new. Back in January, at the Australian Open, the tennis player surprised the audience with a spectacular entrance: a wide-brimmed hat, a white veil, and an umbrella, in a look that captured all the attention. “I really admire Robert; he has no ego and is always open to changing things to make me more comfortable, listening to my perspective,” Osaka revealed, highlighting the creative bond between the two.

What makes this Met Gala look truly extraordinary is the level of detail and dedication involved in its creation. Designer Robert Wun explained that the outfit was presented in two acts: first, a sculpted ivory coat with open seams revealing red crystals inside and feathers that unfurl in a fountain-like shape – a true visual spectacle. Beneath it, a stunning fitted red dress, adorned with over 659,000 embroidery stitches and thousands of Swarovski crystals in four shades of red, depicting human anatomy “needle by needle, crystal by crystal.”

This monumental work required over 3,280 hours of meticulous dedication, a craftsmanship feat that left Naomi herself speechless: “I’m amazed by this entire creation,” she admitted, expressing her enthusiasm for the piece she wore.

This fashion moment represents a much-needed pause for Naomi Osaka, who is going through a challenging period in her sports career. The four-time Grand Slam champion has struggled to regain her form after an injury at the Australian Open that sidelined her from competitions until the Sunshine Swing. Recently, she faced world number one Aryna Sabalenka twice in Indian Wells and Madrid, but has yet to overcome these hurdles, having been eliminated in the first round in Miami.

Osaka’s eyes are now set on the Rome Open, where she hopes to showcase her best tennis once again. Although clay is not her preferred surface, the Japanese player has consistently reached the round of 16 in Rome, even making it to the quarter-finals in 2019 – numbers that promise a strong comeback this season.

Naomi Osaka proves that even off the court, she remains an unstoppable force, now conquering the stages of international fashion. This Met Gala is yet another chapter in her reinvention, demonstrating that talent and style can go hand in hand in an explosive combination that keeps all eyes on her.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.