BY MEGHAN BAEHL, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
This year’s Met Gala called for a theme that pays homage to fashion created in the United States. Like any other Met Gala, the theme is up for interpretation and creativity from Billie Eilish (the youngest co-chair in the MET’s history) cosplaying as the reincarnation of the late Grace Kelly. Marilyn Monroe was in a custom Oscar de la Renta to represent Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) in a Brother Vellies original with a somewhat bold statement- “TAX THE RICH”.
It didn’t matter if you were an A-lister or a TikTok celebrity. Everyone stepped out with their best or worst political statements and odes to American fashion throughout the years.
In my opinion, the gala is meant to turn heads and, in some cases, an effort to cling to relevancy by Hollywood/societal has-beens.
Like any media tactic as old as time, the bizarre and extra always seem to make an impression. It ranged from Kim Kardashian’s “anonymous” Balenciaga number that covered her body from head to toe to Kim Petras’ ode to a horse girl that featured a horse head bodice designed by Collina Strada.
While I’m sure everyone is familiar with Kim Kardashian, whether from her reality tv show or her arguably controversial kind of ex-husband Kanye, I personally had to google Kim Petras, who is (in my opinion) a has-been on the music scene, considering she hasn’t released any notable music in a couple of years.
It was not the bizarre and talked-about celebrities who made this gala one of my least favorites. It was the dull and insipid dressers that left me wanting more.
Addison Rae, a TikTok star and budding actress (and really not a very good one at that), wore a plain Tom Ford for Gucci red gown that only paid homage to the theme in color. An arguably stunning dress for an award’s show – but the Met Gala? Come on, as if?
Also playing it safe was the country singer and songwriter Kacey Musgraves who wore a black crop turtleneck and metallic skirt by Ralph Lauren. After stepping out as Barbie at the 2019 Met, her so-called “equestrian” ensemble was honestly lackluster.
Also missing the ‘oomph’ factor was a social media star and singer Madison Beer, who wore a Slytherin-colored jeweled gown by Patricia Voto. The mermaid-style dress was meant to embody Marilyn Monroe, but in all honesty, I think it missed the mark. These looks, while trying to be old Hollywood American classics, would’ve made best dressed at an event like the Oscars.
This Met Gala was missing the dramatic looks, the ones that make you double-take. The night wasn’t a complete wash, an honorable mention worth noting is rapper Lil Nas X’s three-part ensemble and his entrance that arguably rivaled Lady Gaga’s in 2019.
All in all, the Met Gala this year missed the mark for me, and it left me eagerly anticipating next year’s theme. We can only hope for something half as good as Camp (2019) or Heavenly Bodies (2018).
