The Met Gala, the fundraising event that marks the opening of the institute’s major annual exhibition, is one of fashion’s favourite nights.
Anna Wintour, the influential Vogue editor and organizer of the Met Gala, arrived early wearing Oscar de la Renta, and explained that the Met’s exhibition will be “diverse, inclusive and sustainable” to “symbolize that America is made of many cultures ”.
The most famous faces meet in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and this year’s theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” was a tribute to the United States: the looks were inspired by everything from the Matrix film franchise to the Statue of Liberty.The ball was co-hosted by pop star Billie Eilish, tennis player Naomi Osaka, actor Timothée Chalamet and poet Amanda Gorman.
Follow us as we review some of our favourite looks from this year’s edition:
Tennis player Naomi Osaka reflected her roots in a colorful Louis Vuitton outfit, as she is an ambassador of the brand. The dress was designed by Nicolas Ghesquière and featured a print designed by her older sister Mari Osaka. “Americana to me means a mix of all cultures, and this look incorporates both of my heritages: Haitian and Japanese,” she said during her red carpet interview.
Billie Eilish, paid homage to Old Hollywood and Marilyn Monroe – or a Holiday Barbie, in her words – in a soft peach-colored off-the-shoulder dress with a deep neckline and a stunning four-metre train by Oscar de la Renta.
Eilish, who is a vegan and animal rights activist, only agreed to wear Oscar de la Renta at the Met Gala if the company promised to stop using fur in collections to come. She said in a statement to 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.”
Actor Elliot Page, 34, wore a sharp Balenciaga suit paired with black sneakers but the eyes went to the one pop of color, a green rose pinned to his lapel. The green flower was a tribute to Oscar Wilde, who asked friends attending the opening night of one of his shows in 1892 to wear green carnation flowers on their lapels. The green carnation became a symbol for gay men to identify themselves with during a time when homosexuality was still illegal.
For her Met Gala debut, model Kaia Gerber chose a piece from the Oscar de la Renta fashion house to pay tribute to the Dior dress designed by Halston that the iconic Bianca Jagger wore at the MET gala back in December 1981.
Simone Biles, chose a very much “spangled” outfit for the occasion. The American olympic athlete fashioned a three-piece set consisting of a skirt adorned with Swarovski crystals, a mini dress underneath and, finally, a shiny black suit decorated with stars. The look was inspired by the showgirls, particularly Josephine Baker. Made by the firm Area, it took 100 people working for 6650 hours to make it. With 5000 meters of Swarovski crystal chains and about 60 meters of tulle the dress weighed 88 pounds.
That wasn’t the only Josephine Baker reference of the night, since Yara Shahidi‘s strapless Christian Dior gown echoed a dress the activist and artist wore while performing in 1951, and model Anok Yai’s look, a custom Oscar de la Renta dress, was inspired by her as well.
But definitely our favourite fashion reference was the one by Emily Blunt channeling her “Ziegfeld Girl”. Blunt’s ensemble paid homage to Hedy Lamarr’s iconic star-covered outfit with a very similar structure and headpiece. Crystals moved beautifully as Blunt walked in this magnificent custom Miu Miu frock.
