The Met Gala, an event renowned for its extravagant fashion and stunning red carpet looks, made a triumphant return to New York on Monday. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Gala brought together a star-studded crowd, including Gen-Z’s glitterati, who showcased their daring and over-the-top style. With a guest list of 400 actors, athletes, poets, and performers, all vaccinated or tested negative for Covid-19, the cream carpet was filled with maskless celebrities.
For US rapper Megan Thee Stallion, attending the Gala for the first time was a surreal experience. Dressed in a glamorous outfit designed by Coach, she expressed her excitement and pride. However, she also acknowledged the strangeness of being in a large crowd after months of social distancing. “I’ve kinda gotten used to being a little introvert-like — but I’m back onside, so I’m excited to see everybody,” she said.
There were several standout moments during the event that caught the attention of the public. Canadian musician Grimes grabbed headlines by carrying a sword, leading to speculation about its purpose. Some Twitter users jokingly suggested that she was using it to enforce social distancing. US lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a powerful statement with her white off-shoulder dress, adorned with the words “Tax the rich” in scarlet capital letters. The irony of this statement was not lost on many, considering the extravagant cost of attending the Gala.
Singer Normani radiated confidence in her yellow Valentino gown, stating that the dress chose her. Lil Nas X astonished the crowd by revealing not one, but three gold outfits throughout the event. Other notable appearances included Frank Ocean with lime green hair and what Twitter users described as a “robot baby,” and Simone Biles, who struggled to navigate the stairs in her heavy silver-and-black dress.
One guest in particular stood out due to her mysterious all-black ensemble, with her face, mouth, eyes, and head fully covered. Only her long black ponytail was visible, leading many to speculate that it was reality star Kim Kardashian. Regardless of her identity, the guest’s bold fashion choice sparked intrigue and discussion.
The Met Gala, often referred to as the celebrity world’s “party of the year,” was co-chaired by actor Timothee Chalamet, poet Amanda Gorman, singer Billie Eilish, and tennis player Naomi Osaka. The event, usually held in early May, was postponed to September with the hope that Covid-19 restrictions would ease. Last year’s Gala was canceled due to the pandemic.
While holding such an opulent event during a pandemic faced criticism, it is important to note that the Gala serves as a crucial fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The cancellation of last year’s event had a significant impact on the institute’s finances, making this year’s Gala all the more important.
The Gala marked the opening of the museum’s annual fashion exhibit, which will be divided into two parts this year. The first show, titled “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” celebrates the Costume Institute’s 75th anniversary and is open to the public from September 18. The second exhibit, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” will begin on May 5, 2022. Both exhibits will run until September 5 of that year.
Rather than focusing on retrospective displays of specific designers, the exhibits aim to assess the state of American fashion, highlight contemporary players, and address topics such as equity, diversity, and inclusion. Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton plans to modernize fashion vocabulary in connection with these themes and collaborate with American filmmakers to explore the evolving language of American fashion.
The return of the Met Gala not only showcased the dazzling creativity of its attendees but also emphasized the event’s significance in supporting the arts and the fashion industry. In a world still grappling with the effects of the pandemic, the Gala serves as a reminder of the enduring power of fashion and the importance of celebrating it in all its extravagant glory.
Useful links:
– Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute: “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”
– Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”
