Ohio Jeweler Megan Piccione Makes Star-Studded Met Gala Debut

A Local Atelier Shines on the Global Stage

The 2026 Met Gala, themed 'Fashion Is Art,' saw celebrities adorned in breathtaking jewelry from established houses like Bulgari, Chopard, and Tiffany & Co. However, this year also marked a significant milestone for independent designer Megan Piccione of Cleveland, Ohio. Her namesake brand, Megan Piccione High Jewelry, made its highly anticipated debut on the Met Gala red carpet, with model and activist Lauren Wasser showcasing a collection of her one-of-a-kind pieces.

Piccione, owner and president of the Beachwood-based atelier, described the moment as the culmination of years of dedicated work. 'Everything we create begins from nothing and is built by hand, in-house,' Piccione stated. 'To see that process culminate on the Met carpet—on a woman like Lauren, whose presence carries both strength and meaning—is incredibly significant for us.' The father-daughter team, including her father Dave Piccione, meticulously crafted each piece in their Cleveland workshop.

The collaboration came about when Wasser’s stylist reached out to Piccione via Instagram direct message, seeking unique jewelry for the model’s Met Gala appearance. The process involved initial renderings for approval by Vogue and Anna Wintour, a standard requirement for Met Gala submissions. Piccione and her father then worked diligently to create the custom pieces before traveling to New York to assist Wasser’s styling team.

Lauren Wasser’s Striking Ensemble

Model and activist Lauren Wasser, known for her advocacy and nicknamed 'the girl with the golden legs' following her amputation due to toxic shock syndrome, commanded attention in a layered ensemble featuring Piccione’s designs. Her look was complemented by a gold Prabal Gurung suit and gold prosthetics, underscoring her advocacy for awareness around the condition.

Wasser’s jewelry selection from Megan Piccione High Jewelry included several standout pieces. A striking diamond necklace featured an 8.09-carat fancy yellow diamond with a 2.20-carat diamond halo. This was paired with an 18-karat yellow gold necklace showcasing a 12.72-carat step-cut marquise diamond, and another necklace boasting 31 carats of fancy yellow and white diamonds. Rings adorned multiple fingers, including an 18-karat yellow gold ‘Twist’ ring with a 4.02-carat emerald-cut diamond, another ring in white and rose gold with pavé diamonds, a three-stone ring centering on a 6.01-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond, a 5.25-carat diamond cathedral ring, and a 4.52-carat oval-cut diamond eternity band.

Notable Jewelry Moments from the Gala

Beyond Piccione’s debut, other celebrities also showcased exceptional jewelry:

• Venus Williams, co-chairing the event, wore a Swarovski look featuring a sterling silver chest piece adorned with 3,800 Swarovski crystals, inspired by her portrait necklace.
• Lisa Manobal, a Bulgari ambassador, wore a striking necklace from the ‘Eclettica’ collection featuring a 50.19-carat cabochon sapphire, paired with high jewelry earrings and ‘Serpenti’ pieces, notably displayed on 3D-printed arms.
• Sabrina Carpenter chose two Chopard ‘Haute Joaillerie’ necklaces, one with 54.84 carats of diamonds and the other with 48.15 carats, alongside diamond earrings and rings.
• Stevie Nicks made her Met Gala debut in Tiffany & Co. jewelry, including a platinum and 18-karat yellow gold necklace with a 14-carat crystal opal.
• Chase Infiniti accessorized with Marli jewels, including ‘Lady Liberty’ earrings and pieces from the ‘Cleo’ and ‘Twilight’ collections.
• Beyoncé wore Chopard creations, including a necklace from ‘The Garden of Kalahari’ collection and a 50.99-carat emerald cuff from the ‘Red Carpet’ collection.
• Hailey Bieber selected Suzanne Belperron jewelry, echoing the theme with gold pieces like the ‘Leaf’ earclips and ‘Et Moi’ ring.
• Isha M. Ambani displayed significant pieces, including necklaces totaling over 250 carats of diamonds and a Lorraine Schwartz choker with a 50-carat Colombian emerald, featuring heirlooms from her mother’s collection.
• Zoë Kravitz wore Jessica McCormack designs, featuring diamond earrings and a matching floral ring.

A Family Affair and Future Aspirations

For Megan Piccione, the Met Gala achievement is deeply intertwined with her family. 'Doing this with my dad and making this a true family business with my father, my husband and my mother is my proudest moment,' she shared. The success marks a pivotal moment for the young designer, who transitioned into jewelry making after a career as a dental assistant, inspired by her father’s watchmaking expertise.

Piccione’s work, characterized by its meticulous craftsmanship and couture-level design, has garnered a following on social media. Her presence at the Met Gala not only highlights her talent but also brings recognition to Cleveland’s burgeoning luxury craft scene. The 'first time at the event, but also the jeweler’s first time bringing its couture-level jewels to one of the most globally recognized red-carpet events' signifies a major step forward for Megan Piccione High Jewelry.