Kyemah McEntyre is quickly making a name for herself in the fashion world. The 18-year-old designer first captured attention when her stunning, self-made prom dress went viral and became one of the most talked about dresses of the year. Now, she’s taking her talents to the red carpet, creating her first-ever high-profile gown for actress Naturi Naughton.
Impressed by Kyemah’s bold, African-inspired designs, the Power star personally reached out to commission a custom piece for the BET Awards—marking a major milestone in the young designer’s rising career.
Naturi Naughton in a stunning form-fitting mermaid gown with a graphic print and warm tones by Kyemah McEntyre at the 2015 BET Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 28, 2015 (Credit: WENN / FayesVision)
Naturi rocked the Nubian Queen look on the red carpet, showcasing Kyemah’s gorgeous dress. The dress featured a trumpet-flare silhouette, bold tribal patterns, and a sexy cutout side and back.
Keeping the focus on the dress, Naturi toned down her jewelry and kept her hair in a lovely braided updo. In March 2023, she also turned heads on the red carpet in a purple outfit styled with Ruthie Davis high heels.
This is definitely one of the standout looks of the night, and credit is given to the talented young lady behind it, who was once bullied and called ugly but decided to rise above it all to showcase her talent. Naturi was also a great muse to debut Kyemah’s first red carpet dress!
Kyemah McEntyre’s talent and creativity didn’t go unnoticed as former 3LW girl group member Naturi Naughton approached her to design a dress for the BET Awards (Credit: WENN / FayesVision)
Kyemah’s talent first made waves when she designed a show-stopping prom dress that took the internet by storm. Before gracing the BET Awards red carpet, she had already made headlines with a bold, African-inspired gown that redefined prom fashion.
18-Year-Old Kyemah McEntyre Rules Prom and the Internet With Stunning Dress She Designed Herself
Thanks to high school senior Kyemah McEntyre, the bar has been raised for prom dresses. She promptly broke the internet when she shared pictures of her stunning African-inspired ball gown.
Kyemah McEntyre stuns in her self-designed, African-inspired prom dress, blending vibrant colors with traditional pattern (Credit: Kyemah McEntyre’s Instagram)
Oh, and did we mention that she designed it herself? Featuring long sleeves, a ball skirt, and a one-of-a-kind full-length print, Kyemah’s self-created couture would look right in place at high-fashion events like the Met Gala.
Parsons School of Design, the college where Kyemah will be going in the fall, should be honored to have such talent.
Kyemah McEntyre and her prom date coordinate perfectly, showcasing her striking, self-designed African-inspired gown alongside his matching accents (Credit: Kyemah McEntyre’s Instagram)
Kyemah’s high school would be crazy not to make her Prom Queen with a dress like that, and, thankfully, they were not.
Kyemah McEntyre captures the moment as Prom Queen, radiating confidence in her self-designed African-inspired gown (Credit: Kyemah McEntyre’s Instagram)
In addition to her pictures going viral and her prom dress being everything, Kyemah also got another crown in addition to the one she was already wearing that evening. In Kyemah’s own words, it was a “magical night.”
Kyemah McEntyre’s original sketch of her viral African-inspired prom dress showcases her visionary design talent (Credit: Kyemah McEntyre’s Instagram)
We’re strongly convinced that Kyemah has started a printed prom dress trend, and we look forward to it. The reign of sequins and tulle has been ongoing for way too long, and we can’t wait to see more bold, fresh, and fun printed prom dress designs like these:
Mary Katrantzou “Sirene” Halter Dress, $1,409.61 / Roberto Cavalli Printed High-Neck Long Dress, $1,002.43 / Etro Floral-Print Scoop-Neck Dress, $867.48
Sea Long-Sleeve Long Dress, $695 / Etro Printed Halter Gown, $2,134.99 / Clover Canyon “Liquid Jade” Cutout Maxi Dress, $385