Engineer Builds Robotic Insects for Janelle Monáe’s 2026 Met Gala Gown

Cameron Hughes, a 32-year-old animatronics engineer from Manhattan, created four robotic butterflies and two dragonflies for Janelle Monáe’s gown at the 2026 Met Gala. Christian Siriano designed the gown using live moss, eight succulent plants, 230 electrical wires, 5,000 black crystals and the robotic insects. Hughes joined the project two weeks before the gala.

Siriano completed the dress in six or seven days, after which Hughes added the moving elements. Hughes used micro servos to animate the insects. He produced a total of nine butterflies and dragonflies made of silk organza and silk taffeta on his personal 3D printer and laser cutter.

He assembled the pieces in a closet-turned-design studio in his apartment and continued work until the day before the gala. Hughes built a small button controller nicknamed “The Electric Lady” after Monáe’s sophomore album. The device sat near the singer’s hip and adjusted wing speed.

He also created an iPhone app that allowed Monáe to control the wings from her phone. Hughes previously created a moving “Clock Monocle” for Monáe at the 2025 Met Gala. He holds a bachelor of fine arts from Syracuse University.

Hughes also produced a “beating heart” handbag for influencer Sabrina Harrison’s outfit. The accessory used five nano servos and carbon fiber and was adorned with gold metal plates by jewelry designer Chris Habana. Hughes spent nearly 10 days on the handbag, which was changed from Wi-Fi activation to an on-and-off switch because of connectivity concerns.

Attendees at the 2026 Met Gala included Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Madonna, Cher, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Heidi Klum and Rihanna. Hughes said the insects were made by sending computer designs to the printer and cutter, after which he glued the parts together. He added that robotics offers a new process for making beautiful things in fashion after beading and embroidery have already been done.