Helen Lasichanh’s Red Sculptural 2017 Met Gala Look Featured the Ultimate Nike Boot Subversion

Helen Lasichanh made one of the defining fashion statements at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit Gala in New York City on May 1, 2017, arriving in a complete Comme des Garçons Fall 2017 runway look created by Rei Kawakubo.

Helen Lasichanh fully embraced Rei Kawakubo’s sculptural Comme des Garçons Fall 2017 runway vision at the 2017 Met Gala.

Rather than interpreting the evening’s “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” theme with a conventional red-carpet gown, she wore the collection exactly as presented on the runway, embracing its sculptural proportions and unconventional silhouette.

More than a memorable Met Gala appearance, the outfit demonstrated Rei Kawakubo’s long-running fascination with reshaping the human body through clothing. Rather than relying on high heels to add drama, she grounded the exaggerated, armless silhouette with substantial flat-soled ankle boots, reinforcing the brand’s preference for practicality over conventional elegance.

Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams arrived at the 2017 Met Gala, where her complete runway look transformed the evening’s theme into wearable art.

Meanwhile, Pharrell opted for a casual-cool interpretation of the theme. He wore a flannel shirt under a black motorcycle jacket adorned with Comme des Garçons motifs, paired with ripped denim jeans featuring “Rei” scribbled on his left leg. He finished off his look with a pair of cherry red lace-up shoes from Dr. Martens.

Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams arriving at the gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Credit: GAT Images / Cover Images / WENN).

The Footwear Subversion: Comme des Garçons x Nike Premier

To preserve every element of Rei Kawakubo’s original runway presentation, Helen wore the collection’s most distinctive footwear design. Rather than creating an entirely new boot from scratch, Kawakubo subverted athletic street style by reworking Nike’s classic leather Premier football boot.

By adding oversized sculptural triple-bow appliqués and contrasting white cap toes, the collaboration transformed practical sports gear into an avant-garde runway statement.

The look as originally styled for the Comme des Garçons fall 2017 ready-to-wear presentation during Paris Fashion Week on March 4, 2017.

Because the design retained Nike’s low-profile football boot sole, the hybrid footwear grounded the dramatic volume of the sculptural jumpsuit without competing against it.

The oversized leather bows drastically altered the upper while leaving the functional athletic foundation intact—a hallmark of Rei Kawakubo’s approach to reimagining familiar objects through unexpected proportions, proving that the footwear was a core artistic choice rather than a red-carpet afterthought.

Close-up of the customized Comme des Garçons x Nike bow boots on the red carpet.

Why Helen Lasichanh’s Comme des Garçons Look Still Stands Out

Helen Lasichanh’s outfit was remarkable not simply for its dramatic appearance, but for how faithfully it embodied a rigid design philosophy. The padded red structure completely enclosed her upper body, eliminating armholes and holding her arms against her sides throughout the evening.

Everyday movements—from greeting photographers to entering a vehicle or attending dinner—became part of the performance, underscoring the idea that the garment functioned as wearable sculpture rather than conventional eveningwear.

Kawakubo’s Fall 2017 collection deliberately challenged familiar ideas of proportion by replacing the body’s natural outline with exaggerated, rounded forms at the shoulders and hips. The silhouette aligned perfectly with the exhibition’s exploration of fashion as a space between art and clothing, making Lasichanh’s decision to wear the runway look without modification one of the night’s most authentic interpretations of the theme.

The customized Nike boots blended athletic heritage with high-fashion avant-garde design.

Every styling choice supported the runway concept. A tightly secured blonde topknot kept attention on the garment’s sculptural proportions, while the customized Nike boots reinforced Kawakubo’s idea that even functional sportswear could become part of an artistic silhouette.

Although the look inspired countless internet memes, its reputation has only strengthened with time. Fashion critics continue to cite Helen Lasichanh’s appearance as one of the clearest examples of a Met Gala guest treating the red carpet as an extension of the museum rather than simply another celebrity photo opportunity.

More Comme des Garçons Looks That Pushed Fashion Forward

Helen Lasichanh’s unforgettable Met Gala appearance remains one of the clearest examples of treating the red carpet as wearable art. If you’re fascinated by Rei Kawakubo’s sculptural vision, statement footwear, and other celebrities who embraced similarly daring fashion choices, these standout looks are well worth exploring.