Extravagant, over-the-top fashion ruled the night
The annual Met Gala took place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, honoring the costume institute’s latest exhibition. The theme of the night was “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” which outlines the “love of the unnatural, artifice and exaggeration.”
Invited celebrities and guests didn’t hesitate to make extravagant appearances and dress to the theme. American singer, Lady Gaga, was the most memorable guest of the gala by setting the bar high with four outfit changes on the pink carpet.
Gaga started off with a fuchsia gown with a bow on her head while several assistants carried the extensive train that disguised the singer’s following outfits.
Two assistants helped take her pink gown, designed by Brandon Maxwell, off to reveal her second look, a black strapless gown paired with a black umbrella. Then, Gaga stripped out of the black gown to showcase a third look, a hot pink slip completed with a giant black cell phone and sunglasses.
To end her pink carpet performance, her final outfit was a two-piece black ensemble with fishnets paired with her signature high-heels. The singer completed this display extravagance by pulling a wagon emblazoned with the name “Haus of Gaga” that contained bottles of wine enclosed in clear boxes.
Ashely Cornett, third-year fashion marketing and management major said, “Gaga killed it. I couldn’t handle it, she was amazing.” After Gaga’s pink carpet show, co-host Harry Styles was on hand to steal all the attention while accompanied by Gucci’s creative director, Alessandro Michele.
Styles wore an all-black Gucci jumpsuit with a sheer, long sleeve top exposing his tattoos. The English singer paired his suit with heeled boots, a pearl earring and colored nails. Ashley Cornett commented, “I get how he is going for like the Elton John, feminine, old school rock look.”
As he revelled in the pink carpet, he was interviewed by YouTuber Liza Koshy on the meaning of camp. He responded, “It’s about enjoyment, fun, no judgement and having fun with clothes. I think fashion is supposed to be fun and that’s what it’s all about. And I think it’s a good time for that right now as well, people being who they are.”
Cardi B came through with an lavish red gown, a Thom Browne design that had a three-meter-long train carried by ten attendants as she made her way down the carpet.
Her look was a custom created down-filled dress layered in oxblood tulle and silk organza with hand embroidered bugle bead detailing. In the designer’s Instagram post, he commented, “Ruby nipples and 30,000 burned and dyed coque feathers. The dress took 35 people and over 2,000 hours to create.”
Other celebrity guests added their own personal touches generated from elements of high fashion and popular culture. Another memorable look from the night was by American singer and actress Zendaya Coleman, in which she channeled her inner magic with a Cinderella inspired look by Tommy Hilfiger.
Tanya Mehta, third-year fashion marketing and management student said, “Zendaya looked like a real-life Cinderella, and the outfit was so campy and original. Definitely one of the best looks of the gala.”
What made her dress even more special, was the “spell” casted by her fairy god brother and stylist, Law Roach, causing the dress to glow and light up in a fluorescent blue color. But that wasn’t the only garment with an exaggerated element to it. Model Jourdan Dun wore a custom Zac Posen x Ge Additive x Protolabs rose gown.
Dun’s was another iconic look. The polymer dress, its 21 petals and bustier were all 3-D printed. Each piece was individually created and then attached. Dunn took the meaning of camp and channeled it in the most artistic way possible.
The Met Gala is an event to look forward to, besides the celebrities, it’s a night where a which a concept is translated into elevated, high fashion garments.
