As the first Monday of May has arrived, one of fashion’s most iconic days is here- the MET GALA. You know you have made it when Anna Wintour sends you one of the most coveted invitations telling you to don your biggest and best outfit and… well sit inside the Met Museum? Although us commoners will remain unaware about what really happens inside, some may say that the ambiguity is what comprises the charm of the Met Ball.
Past Met Gala themes – whether followed or not, have brought about some absolutely killer looks; so, since I have yet to be invited and Fashion Police got cancelled in 2017, this article’s going to take a trip down memory lane through some of my favourite Met Gala looks.
Cher (1974)
Starting with Cher wearing Bob Mackie for the ‘Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design’ theme. I mean THE LACE, THE SPARKLE, THE TASSLES. If Rihanna’s naked Swarovksi dress was revolutionary in 2014, then this sheer sparkly jumpsuit has to go in the hall of fame.
Bianca Jagger (1981)
Bianca Jagger looks like the picture of elegance wearing Halston for the ‘18th Century Woman’ theme. If this is how women in the 18th century looked then sign me up expeditiously – except without the cholera and plagues. I love that she modernised the traditional regal corsets and formalwear of that epoque instead of going more Bridgerton and imitating the true style. Jagger followed the theme and did it with a grace that cannot be taught!
Naomi Campbell (1995)
We have heard of the face that launched a thousand ships, but have you heard of the sparkle that launched a thousand silver dresses? That’s the sparkle came directly from this dress, its shimmer could probably be seen from space. This metallic moment, along with Paris Hilton’s 21st birthday dress, make up the most iconic silver dresses. Gianni Versace was truly a genius. Do not even get me started on Naomi’s perfect hair and makeup. Mwah!
Rihanna (2017)
Rihanna is a staple at the best dressed table in the Met. But my love for this ensemble is unmatched (and it was a really hard call to pick just one). It is just such a fun and playful outfit which I think matched the theme perfectly, the dress and shoes were absolutely wonderful. Despite- but not discounting- that, the makeup is what gets me every time, I cannot pull myself away from looking at it. It is subtle while simultaneously remaining striking, not clashing with the detailed dress but creating a flowing sense of cohesion throughout the look. In the true Rihanna fashion, she is on theme and in Comme des Garçon.
Zendaya (2018)
Zendaya is also no stranger to the best dressed table in the Met and this year was no different. Her Versace Joan of Arc inspired chainmail look encompassed what the Met is about, which is showing up on theme and going completely all out while keeping it fashionable, not gimmicky. Everything from the hair, the shoes and perfectly placed cut-outs kept that balance.
Blake Lively (2018)
Another veteran of both my heart and the best dressed table in the Met. The detail on this dress was beyond heavenly and honestly took my breath away which is perfectly on theme for the night. I will never get over the fact that she is her own stylist! Like Zendaya, Blake was also wearing Versace that year.
Chadwick Boseman (2018)
The honour of our first man on the list goes to the late, great Chadwick. When it comes to the Met, most men bore the crowd with a plain black suit, or sometimes they may opt for a different coloured plain suit. They are usually off theme and thus off my screen, but Chadwick came to show out. He asked and answered the question: how would a priest look utterly swaged out?!! As you can tell, ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ is by far my favourite theme so but I promise this is the last one from 2018.
Jared Leto (2019)
The honour of our last man on the list goes to the only person I have seen carry their head around like a ball and live to tell the story, Jared Leto. If that is not campy, I definitely do not know what is!
Iman (2021)
Now to be honest, I did not really have high hopes for this year’s theme – ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’- but I do know this is where my obsession with Iman began. This Harris Reed piece reminded me that fashion is indeed an art. And just to be clear, this is now the only way to wear pants under a skirt.
Anok Yai (2021)
THE BOA. THE CRYSTALS. THE HAIR. THE EMERALD NECKLACE. She was dripping diamonds and I am here for every moment of it.
Cardi B (2022)
Now this is what I call a gold rush and I love it. Honestly, Cardi has some fantastic Met Gala looks but this is by far my favourite. The gold pendants and chains sit perfectly, Versace killed it again. The whole ‘Gilded Glamour’ look is almost an ode to accessorising and I have always been partial to gold jewellery.
An honourable mention is given to the only one to ever look camp directly in the eye, Karlie Kloss, who graced the 2019 carpet with her rendition of ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion‘ .
Written by: Oziomachukwu Ofoezie
Edited by: Michele Ngue-Awane