The Met Gala
The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. Narrated below is 2019's Met Gala, which took place on Monday May 6.
The most anticipated night in fashion, The Met Gala is all things splendor, extravagance, and regality. The music, movie, and model industries collide in this evening, hosting guests from each of these worlds. The media and those at home wait for their appearances on the carpet, ready to lay their eyes on the most ostentatious looks of the night. This year’s theme was met with much confusion, but was exceptionally executed by the attendees. This is grandeur. This is iconic. This is Camp.
“Camp: Notes on Fashion” is a theme that brought on many puzzled expressions. Essentially, Camp is an exploration of anything unconventional, of standing against the status quo. It is an aesthetic that exaggerates the perception of the world, as explained in Susan Sontag’s essay “Notes on ‘Camp,’” from 1964. Sontag explains that “it is one way of seeing the world as an aesthetic phenomenon. That way, the way of Camp, is not in terms of beauty, but in terms of the degree of artifice, of stylization.” In fact, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine and the mastermind behind The Met Gala, Anna Wintour, explains in an interview with USA Today that Camp is in part inspired by that essay. “We’re talking about what Camp has meant through history. The history of the Sun Kings to Drag Queens.” It demands nonconformity, from guests and hosts alike.
Nonconformity is channeled impeccably by the night’s hosts: Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, and Serena Williams, undoubtedly the most qualified. Lady Gaga’s career is surrounded by her maverick fashion choices, so it is only fitting to bestow the honor to host upon on her. Her four part Brandon Maxwell ensemble stunned everyone, regardless if they were physically present or watching from home.
Co-host Harry Styles, is no different in regards to his fashion independence. Days before the event Vogue online rightfully dubbed Styles as the “King of Camp.” He challenges the boundaries of fashion through an array of flamboyant Gucci suits, from glitter-clad to floral-printed. Unsurprisingly so, Styles attended the Gala in a black Gucci number, accessorized with an abundance of rings, a pearl earring, and polished nails. The title he was crowned with did not fall short.
Serena Williams challenges conventionality not through fashion, but through action. She did not reach the Tennis Throne without battles. Williams defies the established patriarchy in the sports field daily, defying the sexist standards imposed upon her. Her Versace dress and matching Off-White x Nike sneakers emphasized her strong presence in the world of sports and the world of fashion, demonstrating that she is both, not just one without the other.
Outfits at the Met Gala are not solely critiqued on being “pretty” or “ugly,” how well represented the theme is weighs significantly. It is a joy to have seen that most guests accurately embodied Camp, seen in the way the concept translated onto the looks of the night. The list below includes some of the stars I feel really captivated and seized Camp.
Lady Gaga, wearing Brandon Maxwell
Celine Dion, wearing Oscar de la Renta
Lily Collins, wearing Giambattista Valli
Saorise Ronan, wearing Gucci
Lucy Boyton, wearing Prada
Gigi Hadid, wearing Michael Kors
Bella Hadid, wearing Moschino
Kendall Jenner, wearing Versace
Lupita Nyong'o, wearing Versace
Zendaya, wearing Tommy Hilfiger
Benedict Cumberbatch, wearing Labassa Woolfe
Harry Styles, wearing Gucci
Ezra Miller, wearing Burberry
Darren Criss, wearing Balmain
Contrastingly, there are the stars that despite dressing ravishingly, lacked the embedding of Camp into the outfit — in part or completely. An example is Shawn Mendes. There is no denying the young musician looked strikingly dashing in his Yves Saint Laurent suit, but the flecks of gold in his gelled hair were not enough to elevate the look to Camp entity. The same thing applies to Lily Rose Depp. She looked undeniably elegant, but the Chanel dress did not capture the essence of Camp. Either way, the presence of such stars definitely did not go unnoticed, seeing there was too much to admire for them to slip unseen.
The Met Gala seeks to push the boundaries of fashion, no matter what the theme is. It requires a deep sense of creativity and innovation, which is always impeccably achieved. The event never loses momentum and always attracts fanfare. Art is brought to life on the steps of the New York Museum. This is art. This is superior. This is Met.