Fashion
Getting a Trim and Listening to Trap with Melina Matsoukas
Such was the scene when we got ready with the director before the Ghetto Film School Gala.

06 November, 2018
Adam Torgerson
10 November, 2021
Last night, the non-profit organization Ghetto Film School held their annual gala in Beverly Hills. The honorees of the night included Cov alum (and video director extraordinaire) Melina Matsoukas, Michael B. Jordan, and Courtney Monroe, and lucky for us, we were able to tag along with Matsoukas as she primped and prepped for the evening.
Matsoukas’ dress of choice for the night was a two-piece tie-dye Kim Shui set, and she topped it off with a geometric-looking Cushnie bag (drool), black, strappy Stella McCartney shoes, and dangly Annie Costello earrings. As her glam team worked their magic (Vernon François even gave her a quick trim), we all listened to Matsoukas’ “Sunday Chill” playlist—a mix of Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and trap.
Before Matsoukas ran out the door for the evening, we talked about how she first got involved with Ghetto Film School, why the organization is close to her heart, and what she does to calm her nerves ahead of a big event.
Matsoukas’ dress of choice for the night was a two-piece tie-dye Kim Shui set, and she topped it off with a geometric-looking Cushnie bag (drool), black, strappy Stella McCartney shoes, and dangly Annie Costello earrings. As her glam team worked their magic (Vernon François even gave her a quick trim), we all listened to Matsoukas’ “Sunday Chill” playlist—a mix of Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and trap.
Before Matsoukas ran out the door for the evening, we talked about how she first got involved with Ghetto Film School, why the organization is close to her heart, and what she does to calm her nerves ahead of a big event.
1 / 25
“I try to make it as chill as possible [when I’m getting ready]. I put on some music, I have a great glam team [Vernon François and Celina Rodriguez] who is full of energy and who is always ready to pep me up and take me out of the workday and transfer me into a going-out mood. I don’t get to go out a lot, so these kind of events are sometimes my social time as well. This event in particular is really close to my heart, so I’m really excited for it.”
Hair by Vernon François; Makeup by Celina Rodriguez; Styling by Mindy Le Brock.
Want more stories like this?
Karolína Kurková’s Getting Ready Playlist Is One You’ll Want to Copy
Sofia Richie and Stylist Kollin Carter Bond over Silk and Grilled Cheese
Getting Ready with Saweetie Teaches You a Thing or Two About Confidence
Want more stories like this?
Karolína Kurková’s Getting Ready Playlist Is One You’ll Want to Copy
Sofia Richie and Stylist Kollin Carter Bond over Silk and Grilled Cheese
Getting Ready with Saweetie Teaches You a Thing or Two About Confidence