Met Gala 2021: An American Dream

Each year, A-list celebrities and fashion icons walk the luxurious, ancient Greek-inspired steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to celebrate fashion’s biggest night of the year: the Met Gala.

The Met Gala is known for its elaborate and distinctive themes, and in honour of the 75th anniversary of the Costume Institute this year, it was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” The unique selection of garments “[explored] a modern vocabulary of American fashion,” according to the museum.

In the past, international stars like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga worked closely with various designers to create custom avante-garde looks that complemented the different themes of the gala, like the popular 2019 “Camp” theme.

Some of the biggest names, including Timothée Chalamet and Billie Eilish were named co-chairs of the gala after an exceptional year filled with bold red carpet looks that challenged the social norms in fashion. Author and Activist Amanda Gorman and tennis player Naomi Osaka were also named co-chairs, alongside Chalamet and Eilish.

The looks this year were expected to be thought-provoking, political and confrontational due to past and recent events, such as the uprising of the BLM movement in the States last Spring. Stars such as Kim Kardashian, who walked the red carpet head-to-toe in a black spandex suit from Balenciaga, used her appearance to show how this year’s theme was about more than just looking glamorous, but about leveraging celebrity platforms to raise awareness about issues etched in America history. Kim’s look at this year’s Met may have been the most conversational; the internet is still trying to depict the message behind her choice of wardrobe. Personally, I think Kim’s fully covered look was a take on the hypersexualization of the female body in Hollywood. By wearing an outfit that covered every inch of skin (an uncommon look for Kim Kardashian), Kim showed the world that there is more to her than just her body.

Similarly, Cara Delevingne decided to tackle issues relating to women’s rights, following Texas’ new abortion law which banned women from undergoing abortions after six weeks of conceiving. This debacle sparked numerous debates––not only in the country–– but across the world. The model was seen wearing a bulletproof vest with the words “Peg the Patriarchy”  written across her chest in red.

Although the gala returned to an in-person event for the first time since the pandemic (following last year’s digital fundraiser), there was still something visibly different about it from previous years.

Pre-pandemic Met Gala’s are known to be crowded with paparazzi, celebrities, designers and anyone lucky enough to catch a glimpse into the glitz and glam of the fashion industry. This year’s “big night out” seemed to take on more of an intimate approach, and although numbers may have been limited, the guest list was nonetheless packed with Hollywood’s finest.

In August, the museum announced that all attending guests had to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and were required to wear masks for the duration of the event, except for drinking and dining. 

Normally, the gala takes place every first Monday of May, but with the concern of the global pandemic, the event was pushed to Sept.13, closing out New York Fashion Week. The unconventional timing of the Met being in the fall for the first time during a global pandemic called for more creative ensembles. This time around, full face masks and headpieces dominated the night, showing that fashion is constantly adapting to the influences around it.

Here were some of the best looks of the night:

Billie Eilish 

The singer, famously seen in baggy and androgynous clothing, was wrapped in a delicate tulle ball gown from Oscar De La Renta, following her statements about body image issues and insecurities. Eilish’s look definitely broke fashion barriers, pushing her out of her comfort zone. 

Naomi Osaka 

Tennis Player and Co-Chair for this year’s Met Gala, Naomi Osaka paid tribute to her Haitian and Japanese heritage in Louis Vuitton, representing the diverse population of America.

Pete Davidson

Comedian Pete Davidson in a Thom Browne dress. This look was one of many on the red carpet this year where male stars tried to bend gender fashion norms.

Dan Levy

Schitt’s Creek actor Dan Levy was wearing custom Loewe on the red carpet this year. This sequined look was a reminder to viewers that although we may be physically divided, we are all the same.

According to an article from Vogue, “the Costume Institute will host its first two-part exhibition, on the theme of American fashion, during 2021 and 2022.” This year’s theme will be displayed in the Anna Wintour Costume Center on Sept. 18, 2021 and will remain on display when “‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion,’ opens on May 5, 2022 in the period rooms of the American Wing.”

• new york