Long before the Met Gala red carpet floods with flashing cameras and couture gowns, a different kind of choreography unfolds behind closed hotel doors. A-list actors, designers, and performers prepare with a meticulous ritual: massages, glam teams, hair sessions, nail artistry, and, of course, the kind of facials that promise radiance under a thousand lights.
For 2025, with the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” spotlighting Black dandyism and cultural influence, Paris-based aesthetician Sophie Carbonari once again found herself at the center of the whirlwind. Known for her bespoke facials and eponymous skincare line, Sophie counts Naomi Campbell, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga among her devotees. This year, she touched down in New York with a suitcase full of serums and sculpting tools, tasked with preparing eight guests for fashion’s biggest night.
What follows is a glimpse into her four-day marathon—a blend of precision, artistry, and moments of quiet indulgence.
Thursday, May 1: Packing Perfection
The final morning in Paris began not in the treatment room but in Sophie’s closet. At 9AM, alongside photographer Gabrièle Laborde, she finalized her Met Gala wardrobe. In keeping with the theme, she leaned into a mix of Ganni, John Smedley, and Mango, with a couture jacket by Zuhair Muradat reserved for Saturday’s dinner at The Fifth Avenue Hotel.
Afterward, she moved to her Palais Royal studio to sanitize her instruments and prepare her arsenal: botanical oils, hyaluronic toners, exfoliants, cleansers, and restorative masks—all formulas of her own making. Each jar and vial was carefully labeled before being packed away. Only then did she allow herself a brief rest before the 3AM wakeup call.
Friday, May 2: Touchdown in New York
The day began in the quiet hours before dawn: hydrating shower, compression socks, layers of comfort, and, of course, the passport check. Gabrièle arrived at 4:45AM, and the pair set off for Charles de Gaulle.
Mid-flight, Sophie leaned into her ritual—collagen patches, thermal spray, her S serum, and lip mask—transforming the cabin seat into a mobile spa. By the time they landed, she was refreshed and ready to dive in.
Their first stop: The Fifth Avenue Hotel, her home base for the weekend. A quick bite of bluefin tuna crudo served as her only pause before setting up shop for her 5PM appointment with a confidential client. By 7PM, melatonin guided her into sleep, bracing for the whirlwind ahead.
Saturday, May 3: Protocol in Action
The morning began over lattes and fruit plates, where Sophie and her team—Gabrièle and marketing strategist Danielle—reviewed the day’s packed agenda.
Her first appointment was with Tyler Mitchell, the acclaimed American photographer. At noon came a familiar face: Tracee Ellis Ross. For both, Sophie deployed her SC Protocol, a treatment blending fascia work, lymphatic massage, and sculpting techniques designed to spark circulation and long-term skin vitality.
Next came stylist and creative visionary Solange Franklin. After the session, Sophie stole a rare moment for herself—running to Sephora in search of a Sophia Loren-inspired eyeliner, eventually settling on one from Make Up For Ever.
By evening, it was time to transform from practitioner to guest. Following a layered skincare routine—toner, niacinamide, her S serum—she applied a soft makeup look featuring Glossier, Pat McGrath Labs, and Merit. At 5:45PM, she swept into The Modern Flâneur dinner, joining Yasmin Gagné, Charles Harbison, Charlie Casely-Hayford, Lauren Harwell Godfrey, and Solange Franklin. It was a rare chance to pause, connect, and celebrate before returning to the demanding rhythm.
Sunday, May 4: Radiance and Renewal
The day began at 6AM with a charcoal detox soak courtesy of Bathorium—a ritual Sophie quickly deemed indispensable. Then came coordination calls with Gabrièle and Danielle: press requests, content planning, and final client logistics.
Her first session was with journalist Alina Cho, followed by a restorative lunch of oysters and sardines at Café Carmellini. At 3PM, she welcomed Regé-Jean Page, the effortlessly elegant star of Bridgerton, before hosting Drena De Niro for a grounding evening treatment.
The day closed with preparations for a final, confidential VIP client scheduled for Monday morning. Over dinner with Gabrièle, Sophie reflected on the balance of exhaustion and gratitude that defined her residency.
Monday, May 5: The Last Glow
At 8AM sharp, the unnamed VIP arrived for a fascia-sculpting treatment—her final session before the Gala. Afterward, Sophie allowed herself a nourishing breakfast of fruit, juice, and a still-warm muffin.
Packing became its own ritual: checking, rechecking, making certain no serum or brush was left behind. At 11:50AM, she slid into a taxi bound for JFK, her heart full, her tools intact, and her mind already turning to the week ahead. By Wednesday, she would be back on set in Paris for a jewelry campaign, her New York chapter closed but her rhythm unbroken.
For Sophie Carbonari, the Met Gala isn’t just about preparing faces for the spotlight. It’s about balance: precision and artistry, performance and intimacy, beauty that radiates beyond the surface. And though the gowns and the cameras may command the public’s attention, it is this unseen labor—the oils, the massages, the countless quiet rituals—that ensures every star shines at their brightest.
