The 2019 Unnatural, Exaggerated and a Little Bizarre Met Gala
If there could be just one illustration of a perfect ‘symphony’, then it must be the Met Gala – an annual symphony of art, fashion, music and film, where the most famed individuals in these artistic industries, converge to raise money for latest exhibition of the Costume Institute, at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
As per tradition, the Met Gala also known as the Met Ball, usually holds on the first Monday of May at the Museum. This year’s gala which marked the event’s 71st anniversary, was held on May 6th, Its theme, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’. Inspired by Susan Sontag’s iconic 1964 Essay, as she defines camp, is ‘Love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration’. While no one can have a complete definition of what camp is, majority of those who attended the gala night seemed to agree that it was represented by the color, pink. Those who attended the event did not disappoint, as most went all out with outfits that would go hand in hand with Sontag’s description of camp – unnatural, exaggerated, some, let’s say a little bizarre.
Who caught the public’s eye the most? Well, here are some of the gala attendees who pulled out amazing looks:
Lady Gaga
One of the co-hosts of the night, who established four different Brandon Maxwell looks, paired with Tiffany & Co Jewelry.
First outfit was a giant pink gown with a seemingly endless train and a doll-like bow around her waist. Part of the outfit was a pink bow on the head, pink nail polish as well as pink lipstick.
Second outfit was a black strapless gown which resembles what you might see on the red carpet, paired with a black umbrella.
Third outfit – was a tight pink dress, black sunglasses and a giant cell phone.
Fourth Outfit – Gaga stripped down to a costume that consisted of a black bra, underwear, fishnet stockings, and high-heeled boots.
Billy Porter – The winged gold Egyptian god.
Courtesy of his stylists Sam Ratelle and designers The Blonds, Porter rocked the gala in a Sun god inspired ensemble carried in by shirtless men. He wore gold, in an Ancient Egyptian-theme which was inspired by one of the modern camp icons: Diana Ross.
Cardi B
Cardi B wore a Thom Browne dress topped with 30,000 burned and dyed coque feathers. The designer Browne, says the interpretation involved the outline of breasts and nipples on the bodice of the dress, which were embellished with real rubies, courtesy of Stefere Jewelry. Cardi’s dress is a shade of smooth oxblood which completely covers up, head to toe, and extends in concentric circles for about ten feet.
Browne says he was inspired by the female form.
Ciara
The singer rocked an embellished green gown with tons of shimmery details and ostrich feathers with a thigh high slit paired with a matching a choker, fingerless gloves, a belt and her high afro hair. The gown was as a matter of fact her second look. When she arrived, she rocked a black pantsuit, which was more low-key and actually twerked on the red carpet before she changed to the green gown.
Jared Leto
The ‘Suicide Squad’ actor rocked Gucci. He wore a long red turtleneck dress with dangling string of diamonds falling over his shoulder. But what stood the most about the actor’s look? Well, a real showstopper. Leto toted along a replica of his own head with his Gucci ensemble. Could be a definition of self-love? Well, yes could be. This alone might have had him outdo most of the guys who attended the Met gala this year.
Katy Perry – The human chandelier.
Perry’s look was lit, like literally lit. Dressed in an illuminated Moschino chandelier designed by Jeremy Scott, the singer made sure to sparkle from head to toe. Perry arrived at the 2019 Met Gala looking like an actual chandelier with three layers of light-up candles surrounding her sparkly silver Moschino dress. Her shoes, were glistening as she wore gem-covered heels by Judith Leiber. The dazzling embellished dress featured a decorative hanging light with numerous candles.
Michael Urie
Spoke volumes on gender exploration in the portraiture of Cezanne and Frida Kahlo.
The ‘Ugly Betty’ cast arrived in a Christian Siriano creation which featured a half pink ball gown and a half suit. The actor also completed the look with makeup, which had half his face done up with lipstick, eyeliner and mascara, while the other appeared bare.
Ezra Miller
Miller arrived in a Burberry suit, a corset and matching jewelry wingtips. He also paired the outfit with a face mask. However the unexpected happened when Miller lowered his mask to reveal his face, he took it to the next level. He had on makeup that created an illusion of more than one pair of eyes and eye brows surrounding his real eyes. The actor and singer’s make up was courtesy of Mimi Choi.
Lupita Nyong'o – A walking rainbow.
Since Versace was obviously her style, the actress rocked an African outfit. Her dress was a mix of colors that were an embodiment of the rainbow. She had on a rainbow top, a matching rainbow fluffy fan that were perfectly paired with golden afro hairs picks. The lower part of her gown had a pink star pattern while the upper part was rainbow themed. Her makeup which complemented the outfit perfectly was also on fleek.
Lastly,
Serena Williams
Williams was also amongst the most outstanding attendees at the 2019 Met gala as she embraced her sportive roots at the event. She rocked an Atelier Versace stunning yellow outfit with a pair of highlighter green Nike x Off White Air Force sneakers, that had on a logo “Air”. As one of the co-hosts, William’s unexpected accessory worked pretty well for her, as a natural choice which embodied the spirit of the gala’s theme, ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’.
We could say the 2019 Met Gala was beyond an extreme showcase of art, which was perfectly represented at the museum. Celebrities who co-chaired along the Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, were Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Serena Williams and the Gucci director Michele.
Looking forward to next year’s Met gala? Yes, definitely, who wouldn’t?