Fashion
Opinion: 8 Key Moments From The Met Gala
Traditionally always on the first Monday in May, 2021’s Met Gala finally got underway last night. With the theme being “American Independence” the possibilities were endless.
The Gala marks the opening of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual major exhibition, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.
This year, the focus was on ‘celebrating young talent’ with the co-chairs being Naomi Osaka, Billie Eilish, Timothee Chalamet and Amanda Gorman.
9 key moments stood out to make this Met Gala one of the most interesting yet confusing of all time;
- Political Statements
A few celebrities including AOC and Cara Delevinge chose to appropriately use the Met Gala to make political statements. The most powerful being US politician Carolyn B Maloney.
The dress’ writing pays homage to the 19th Amendment, which came into law in August 18th 1920 and gave most American women the right to vote.
Maloney held a purse saying ‘Era Yes’ which was a slogan used during the campaign for the 19th Amendment to persuade voters.
The political landscape in America has become increasingly divided over the past few years. The Texas abortion near-total ban means abortions are now illegal past 6 weeks into a pregnancy.
This undoubtedly influenced Maloney’s choice to make this statement.
2. The Versace Homage to Gianni
In 1992, Gianni and Donatella Versace lit the Met Gala on fire with the leather belt buckled S&M inspired dress.
Last night, Donatella and Maluma payed homage to her brother with a white leather and satin dress.
3. Iris Van Herpen is the Queen of the Met Gala
No one can achieve that not-too-distant future aesthetic like Iris Van Herpen.
Each look she creates look like it has a life of it’s own, and could be from 2000 years in the future but also could be from a 60’s film trying to interpret the future.
Van Herpen dressed Grimes, who also brought a sword made from a melted down Colt AR-15A3.
The dress mirror-finish liquid like silicone that scaled Grimes’s body was 3D-printed, and attached too hand dyed gradient fabric.
4. Men That Turn up in Black Suits Should be Barred.
Channing Tatum, Justin Bieber and Tom Ford to name a few. Why do these men that have access to every designer and endless amounts of money constantly turn up in plain black suits?
This could very easily be from a bad 80’s prom night film.
In 2019 Billy Porter arrived in 10ft gold wings, Jared Leto arrived carrying his own head and a lot of men still think its sufficient to arrive in a black suit.
It’s not.
5. Billie Stops Oscar De La Renta Using Fur
Co-chair and current It Girl Billie Eilish wore a stunning peach Old Hollywood Oscar De La Renta gown, on one condition.
The brand has to stop using real fur.
Eilish told Vogue “I am so beyond thrilled [to] … have made a change that not only makes an impact for the greater good for animals but also for our planet and the environment.”
Using your star power to make real immediate change is literally, so cool. And she absolutely stole the show whilst doing it.
6. Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X pulled a Lady Gaga with his look, in a look, in a look.
The three-look was a interesting possible reference to American power structures, and cements his place as a living-legend with just no fear when it comes to fashion.
Lil Nas X is constantly pushing boundaries, causing controversy and bringing queer culture to the forefront of pop culture, whether people like it or not.
7. Lourdes Leon Does Cher
FINALLY, we saw a homage to Cher and Bob Mackie.
The look is modelled after the famous dress Cher wore on ‘The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour’, where she shattered TV decency standards and wore a dress exposing her bellybutton, never before seen.
Leon also flashes her unshaven armpit, which has obviously caused an uproar
(If you’re offended by a an unshaven armpit, why are you watching The Met Gala?)
The exposure of the unshaven armpit perfectly echo’s Cher in how she was often scandalised for owning her own femininity, in the way she chose.
All evening I was waiting (and praying) for a Cher reference, and Leon did not disappoint.
8. Iman
This doesn’t need any explanation. Iman commanded all the attention at the Met Gala.
The masterpiece is a Harris Reid x Vivienne Lake collab, the designers described the moment as their “biggest dream come true to date”.
This years Met Gala has been heavily scrutinised, maybe more-so than ever before.
But, just as we are sure that after the apocalypse there will only be cockroaches and Cher left, we are sure that The Met Gala will continue to be the most iconic event each year.
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