By: CARMEN GAEBE
Staff Writer
The Met Gala is an annual fundraiser held normally on the first Monday of May to not only support but show off that year’s exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. It was started in 1948 and has only grown in fame since then with each year including a theme this year being In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion, for guests and celebrities to wear dresses and other formal wear relating to. The Met Gala is one of the most coveted events in fashion and that is most visible on the red carpet leading into the Museum.
- Margaret Qualley in Chanel
Margaret Qualley is an American Actress known for starring in Quentin Tarantino’s comedy-drama Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as well as being Mia Sutton on the Netflix movie “Death Note”. When interviewed about the inspiration behind her look, Qulley said “ I’m wearing Chanel and that was my inspiration.” The dress and the stunning monochrome jewelry it’s paired with is very simple and yet the details of the lace are not missing. It is quite a testament to designers like Chanel who really are a staple in American not only fashion but history.
- Quannah Chasinghorse in Dundas
Indigenous model Quannah Chasinghorse showed up at the Met Gala wearing An absolutely stunning gold lamé gown from Peter Dundas’ collection with Revolve, paired with authentic Navajo turquoise and silver jewelry. Peter Dundas is a Norwegian fashion designer and between him and Quannah, this beautiful look was created and might well be the best look on this year’s red carpet.
- Kendal Jenner in Givenchy
If there is one person who knows how to do the Met Gala right it is 4-time attendee Kendal Jenner. Her interpretation of this year’s theme was a very Audrey Hepburn-esk look with the sheer fabric and beadwork it gives the look of something straight out of “My Fair Lady”. Audrey Hepburn is an American fashion icon that has been revered as the queen of fashion, so the choice to use Hepburn in the inspiration for Kendall’s dress was a smart decision by the designer at Givenchy who made the dress. It took over 2,500 man-hours to create this dress.
- Will Welch in Bode
Men’s Fashion in the past has normally been very limited with red carpets you would expect to see just black suits so it’s a lovely and welcomed surprise to see men’s suits step out of the mold as Will did for this year’s Met Gala. He posted to his Instagram after the event saying “For this year’s Met Gala I’m honored and lucky to get to wear a custom suit by @bode. The theme is American Independence and Emily Bode is a quintessential American designer. For this DB suit, Emily interviewed me about my family history and embroidered homages all over a sweet patchwork wool.”
- Gabrielle Union in Iris van Herpen
The Met Gala is all about finding beauty and the art in Fashion. This dress worn by Gabrielle Union is the perfect example of the art of Fashion. The dress is a piece of art that looks as though it was drawn from a Doctor Suess book but in the best unique way. The dress was designed by Iris van Herpen a Dutch fashion designer.
- Billie Eilish in Oscar de la Renta
Billie Eilish did the theme America: A Lexicon of Fashion better than anyone could have expected this dress is a remnant of a time in American history so romanticized for its fashion that even the chiffon trim teleports you back to fashion history the dress was custom designed for Billie by Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia the co-creative directors of Oscar de la Renta
- Nikkie de Jager
Nikkie’s dress is not only a gorgeous blue work of art covered in amazingly crafted flowers but it’s also telling an important story about American History. The dress was Inspired by Marsha P Johnson. She was at the front of the Stonewall riots and was known for saying “Paid no Mind” these words are written on the side of Nikkie’s dress. She was also known for having flowers which are heavily shown in the dress
- Amandla Stenberg in Thom Browne
Some people forget that a lot of the looks at the Met Gala are not just about the dresses but also the accessories. One of the most creative ways for a stylist to leave everyone on the red carpet in awe is to incorporate the inspiration behind the look into the hair and Amandla Stenberg did not miss on this front. Vernon Francois, Stenberg’s hairstylist for the event created a drag out of her hair that Steinberg looks absolutely amazing with on the red carpet. “This is a first for me ~ creating a durag MADE WITH hair, instead of from material to cover the hair. It complements, elevates, and balances @amandlastenberg overall look, while reflecting the theme of the night, The tie at the back is transformed into a dramatic train. I love how Amandla takes full ownership of it.” wrote to Francois on their Instagram.’