Best and Worst at the Met Gala

5.4.20

Today should have been the 2020 Met Gala, however the event was postponed due to the Coronavirus. The Met Gala is an annual fundraising event to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. This event typically marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit. As, fashion is a large part of all celebrity wardrobes, each attendee comes dressed to impress, and beyond. Every year, there is a theme to guide the attire of the guests. Past themes include punk, fashion in the age of technology, fashion in the catholic imagination, camp: notes on fashion, and this year’s theme was to be “About Time: Fashion and Duration.” One of the most iconic days in fashion of the year has certainly taken a hit, however Virgil Abloh decided to keep his party ideas alive by DJing his set what-would-have been on YouTube.

In honor of the Met Gala, let’s take a look at some of the best and worst dressed over the years.

Rihanna 2015

China: Through the Looking Glass

Rihanna’s wardrobe each year at the Met Gala is absolutely breathtaking. However, the gown of 2015 has to be the greatest Met Gala look of all time, while also being most on theme. Rihanna wears the ‘Magnificent Gold’ dress, by Chinese fashion designer, Guo Pei. The dress is a cape that wraps in the front, embodies a gigantic train, embroidered throughout with a golden fur trim. This dress was hand-made by one woman who spent two years of her life, equivalent of 50,000 hours, making this dress. Rihanna shared that while she was researching the theme of this year’s Met Gala, she found this dress online and needed to have it. Dress carriers were needed to maneuver this train through the Red Carpet, but so worth it. Absolutely stunning.

Katy Perry 2019

Camp: Notes on Fashion

It is outfits like this, which I blame for causing me to be so late to the game of realizing Katy Perry is a fashion icon. Katy Perry comes dressed to turn heads at each and every Met Gala, and most days of her life. This year, Katy walked the Red Carpet dressed as a chandelier. Yes, it lit up, and no, she could not sit down in the outfit. After first looks, Katy changed into the bedazzled cheeseburger costume. Both looks were designed and styled by Jeremy Scott, who happens to be one of my favorite designers. I do love Jermey, because he is one of the most out-there and non-predictable designers, today. I love them both, but this outfit is just too much. Though, one could argue that Katy was most on theme of the night. To put ‘camp’ in simple terms, it is like looking at a really ugly painting, that is perceived as absolutely beautiful.

Claire Danes 2016

Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology

When the theme is fashion in the age of technology, why would you show up in anything other than a ballgown as beautiful as Cinderella’s, that glows in the dark brighter than her sparkly glass slipper? Claire is an actress from Romeo and Juliet, My So-Called Life, and more recently, Homeland. The gown of the night was created by Zac Posen. A hand-sewn masterpiece made of organza and fiber optics to allow the dress to light up in the dark. The tech in the skirt causes the body to grow volumes, to the point where Claire needed to pull up to the event in a bus, to make sure all was in line. I’d like to try on this dress, just to feel like Cinderella and light up a room one time. Stunning job, Claire and Zac.

Zendaya 2018

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

Zendaya is young, fun, beautiful actress who can pull off many daring looks. While her Met Gala gowns over the years have been spectacular, this one is not my favorite. While the theme is to have a heavenly take on catholicism, Zendaya looks like she is auditioning to be in the next series of Game of Thrones. I do think that if were able to just remove the additional armor-like pieces and just keep the silver drappy dress, this would look really nice. You can always tell if a red head is natural or not, so I’m iffy on this, but I do not hate it, she can certainly pull it off. The idea behind this outfit was to honor Joan of Arc, a teenage peasant who fought for the French in the Hundred Years’ War and was murdered at just 19 years old. It just doesn’t seem heavenly to me, and feels overly costume for the occasion. Versace did an amazing execution of the look, if ancient times war scenes are what you’re looking for - I just don’t like it here.

Lady Gaga 2019

Camp: Notes on Fashion

Lady Gaga may be known for her insane outfits and numerous outfit changes a night, more than her hit singles. At last year’s Met Gala, she did not disappoint. Gaga hit the red carpet in this eye-catching Brandon Maxwell gown full of volume, extremely long train and giant bow on her head. Several men walked besides her carrying the train of the gown in one hand, and umbrellas in the other. One could you say you can go ahead and set up camp, right under the train of this dress that looks like it could be pitched into a tent at any moment now. With the bleach blonde bob, Gaga does look fabulous in this gown, though of course, goes on to make four outfit changes, all on the Red Carpet. Under the pink train, is an all black dress with a sweet-heart top and still very voluminous skirt. Under this is a floor length, hot pink silky gown. Classy cocktail, but hot pink. Last but not least, she strips down into a sparkly bra, underwear and fishnets set, with the boots to match. Well, ‘camp’ is meant to be over-the-top, ironic and humors. Who better than Lady Gaga? Nailed it.