It’s that time again, when the good, the great and the not so great fashion folk and celebrities are out in force, strutting their stuff on the red carpet in the name of ‘chaaridee’. The theme for this year’s exclusive event, “Gilded Glamor and White Tie” was tied to the second part of curator Andrew Bolton’s two-part exhibition, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”, which explores the origins of American fashion. The Met Gala organisers have been criticised for choosing such a theme at a time when many Americans are suffering financially due to soaring inflation and the war is still raging in Ukraine.
Politics were however close to many attendees hearts, with the former secretary of state Hillary Clinton wearing a dress inspired by friendship quilts inscribed with the names of “gutsy women” of the 19th and 20th century liberation movements. Alicia Keys wore a cape celebrating New York union history and New York’s mayor, Eric Adams arrived on the red carpet in a jacket that paid homage to the city’s transit system, and the back of his coat reading “End Gun Violence” in red lettering
Criticism was also aimed at the celebrities and their stylists for failing to follow the theme, with many simply doing their own thing, consequently generating hilarious memes and comments on social media.
- ELEGANCE FOR FOR THE WIN
Grown-up glamour was our stand out look of the night, with elegant looks best answering the brief. Hailey Beiber looked stunning in a white silk Saint Laurent dress with a halter neck and thigh-high slit. Co-chairs of the event Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively used the red carpet to make a historical reference, with Lively’s Atelier Versace dress paying tribute to New York’s most famous landmarks. And finally, Kim Kardashian almost broke the internet again with her vintage dress by Bob Mackie (worn by Marilyn Monroe in 1962) and her latest accessory Pete Davidson, wearing Dior!
- THE VALENTINO EFFECT CONTINUES
Valentino pink continues as a stand out colour on the red carpet. Sebastian Stan pulled off dressed-down pink like a pro. Glenn Close won the hearts of absolutely everyone, everywhere by thoroughly enjoying every minute of her stunning Valentino cape, worn over a shirt/pant combination. Jenna Ortega’s bold tunic and matching tights took Valentino pink to another level, while Nicola Peltz Beckham sported a stunning sheer Valentino dress.
- POSE IN PERIWINKLE
Lilac blue tones emerged as directional new shades for ocassionwear, with Lily James’ Versace beaded gown making a dramatic statement. Gen Z favourites Olivia Rodrigo in Versace and Iris Law in Jeremy Scott’s Moschino will no doubt appeal to the TikTok generation, while Nyjah Huston (skateboarder – I know, us too!) sported a Vivienne Westwood suit in periwinkle.
- MOST IN KEEPING WITH THE THEME
Effortlessly fabulous, Paloma Elsesser and her stylist Carlos Nazario took a sexy, yet soft approach by choosing Coach 1941 for an underwear as outerwear look. Laura Harrier’s perfectly fitted bodice with a voluminous ball gown, chunky silver toned pearls, and long velvet gloves completed her ‘Gilded Glamour’ look. Billie Eilish didn’t let her Gen Z fans down by wearing an entirely upcylced dress by Gucci, saying “I just wanted to be as eco-friendly as possible”, and Emma Chamberlain wore custom Louis Vuitton and a variety of stunning Cartier jewels.
- OUT THERE, DON’T CARE
‘Dress bonkers’ seems to have been the memo for Jared Leto and Alessandro Michele who did the most Gucci gang thing ever by wearing twinning outfits. Lizzo wore a hand-embroidered gold and black coat by Thom Browne that took 22,000 hours to make. She also took a moment to play her flute, which she named Sasha Flute as a homage to Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce alter ego. Bella Hadid did, well ‘Bella Hadid’ in Burberry. And last but not least, theatre producer Jordan Roth had everyone asking ‘who is Jordan Roth” as he went all out with a voluminous padded coat and tulle gown – also by Thom Browne.
- WHO SAYS THE MEN ARE BORING?
Despite the fact that Harry (Styles) was a no-show, the men took their lead from him, by upping their fashion game and trying out new tailoring styles and bold colour. Rapper Jack Harlow’s dark chocolate brown Givenchy suit was effortlessly chic, while Stormzy looked positively regal in a pure white Burberry suit and matching cape. Paapa Essiedu sported a modern twist on the classic black tuxedo, with black sunglasses, Veert jewellery and an oversized velvet tuxedo by Off-White, and Gossip Girl star Evan Mock went rococo and fluid in a corset suit with a giant ruff.
- LOVE IT OR LOATHE IT?
Last but not least, Gigi Hadid created divided opinions and provided lots of inspiration for hilarious memes, with some comparing her look to wearing a sofa or sleeping bag. Others said it was giving Uniqlo sale vibes. Personally we loved it.
So thats that then, till next year people……
