Janelle Monáe is celebrating Cinco de Mayo at the Met Gala.
The actress hit the Met Gala 2025 red carpet wearing a black, red and white suit that featured broad shoulders, but it was her sparkling accessory that really stood out; Monáe added a large diamond brooch that was actually made out of tequila.
1800 Tequila tapped jewelry designer Jonathan Raksha to craft the 5.5-carat emerald-cut stone out of actual liquid 1800 Cristalino tequila.
The setting itself rests in a more than 70-carat white sapphire gem, which itself is then set in a white gold border with upside-down diamonds on the front and side borders. The texture of the upside-down diamonds represents the spikey nature of the agave plant, Raksha exclusively told Page Six Style ahead of the red carpet.
“Every detail of the 1800 Tequila diamond brooch was designed to bring the spirit of the tequila to life in solid, wearable form,” he told us.
“Just like diamonds are formed through time, pressure, and precision, 1800 Cristalino undergoes a similar process – from raw blue Weber agave to an exceptionally smooth and crystal-clear añejo tequila. That clarity and sense of movement inspired the use of sapphire and diamond – materials that capture the idea of liquid, frozen in time,” he said.
The jeweler also admitted that working with the unconventional material was much different than an ordinary diamond.
“To shine, and to create something truly iconic, you have to think differently,” Monáe said in a press release ahead of the event. “It’s all poetic when you think about it – just like diamonds form under pressure, reimagining how diamonds are made takes a future-focused vision and dedication.”
She added, “To wear an ethical diamond from 1800 Tequila on the red carpet, with this year’s theme, felt like a fitting tribute to that.”
Raksha added that, “Dandyism is about discipline in dress – clean lines, sharp tailoring, and intentional accessories. There’s something inherently classic about the brooch’s polished edges and refined detail that make it feel like a modern nod to old-world glamour.”
As for their outfit, the “Lipstick Lover” artist, 39, honored the night’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme with her look.
The star has always made a statement at the annual event since their debut in 2011. One of Monáe’s most notable looks came in 2023 when she arrived in an oversized black-and-white coat over a hoop skirt — and then stripped down, layer by layer, to nothing but a sequined bikini.
The Thom Browne creation was a playful nod to the late Karl Lagerfeld, who was the subject of that year’s exhibit and ball.
“I go as an art student,” Monáe said of her Met Gala philosophy. “You have an assignment. This is the theme. And me and my team are literally like art students collaborating on a group project, and we’re there.”
We think she aced it, per usual.
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