Hear ye! Hear ye! The event of all events: THEE Met Gala is here and to say that all of us in the fashion industry are promptly standing by with our keyboards out and tongues on the ground is an understatement.
This is the most anticipated Part Deux: the second half of the Gala, (as one was back in September due to Covid-19), benefiting The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
Never heard of the Met Gala? Never been to the Met? Doesn’t matter. Just know this is the celebrity event of the year featuring the most outrageous costumes and curated looks to have ever been curated in the history of fashion. No matter your movie career, income bracket, or societal stature; it’s the coolest of the cool kids that get to go. As exclusive as it is political, to be invited is somewhat equal to being invited to a ball hosted by royalty. You just don’t say no. You show up, with bells on. Literally.
Let’s see…. who understood thee assignment? As the theme is centered around the “Gilded Age” in American Fashion, this strictly focuses on New York’s elite in the last decades of the 19th Century, around 1870 to 1900.
Think white ties, large hair with hats to match, opera gloves dresses to the floor, and very tightly nipped corsets galore.*
*Breathing optional.
Hamish Bowles the fashion journalist set the stage clad with his cane and tails in tow.
On the contrary, Alli Michler? You’re scaring me. To be in fashion, let alone work for a prestigious magazine, one would think she would understand the severity of this event. Laura Ashley floral drapes are what come to mind when I see this look.
La La Anthony in La Quan Smith? What happened here? I’m just a little confused by the leotard and sarong. But okay, girl. You do you.
Anna Wintour in pink ostrich feathers and sequins with a matching cape – to absolutely die for.
As black and white are THEE colors for the evening don’t be surprised to see people in all white, or all black, white ties worn by men being the most, absolutely formal you can be.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds….OFF THE CHAIN. Her pink sequin Atelier Versace dress with the giant bow and matching pink opera gloves with a matching tiara?!?!…. BEYOND!!! Her gloves were hand-painted foil in addition to the New York City-inspired architecture on the front of the dress in sequins and beads. Tens of thousands of beads. The reveal was the picturesque nod to Lady Liberty.
Once the bow was undone it turned into the sky with all the zodiac signs embroidered showing the intimate detail on the inside of her train. I was honestly wondering how she was going to sit in that giant bow?!?
So glad she can sit now.
Kacey Musgraves in Prada was absolutely killing it with her feather fan. Starring in the new Elvis movie with Priscilla Presley we can’t wait to see the spectacular performance.
Kaia Gerber looks like she came straight out of a fairy tale in her custom cut-out sequin fringe silver dress by Sarah Burton and team of Alexander McQueen. She was absolutely a star in this dress.
Janelle Monáe in her sequin headpiece and black sequin matching dress by Ralph Lauren- nothing more American than a custom dress by Ralph Lauren. 100% here for it!
Camila Mendes from Riverdale in Alexandre Mattiussi was KILLING it in her gold fringe cut-out dress and her gold make-up to match. So. Absolutely. Next. Level!! New girl crush alert!
Anderson .Paak in Gucci from head to toe…#sorrynotsorry He’s giving me grandma vibes, Dumb & Dummer bowl cut, and his boxy sequin jacket and chain for his glasses. I love his music, his outfit? Not so much.
Camilla Cabello looks a little bridal but stunning and giving me princess vibes in her custom Prabal Gurung. She looked like she should have been on top of a cake she was so gorgeous.
Speaking of Prabal, let’s talk about Ashley Park. Gurung hit a home run again as the design with the structured ostrich feather skirt was TO DIE FOR. It was so different and unlike anyone else all night. Cue extra fashion points for this. The play of the different textures and colors off each other was beyond anything I’ve ever seen.
Hugh Jackman in Tom Ford? I don’t care if he’s wearing a trash bag. He will never, ever, not sweep me off my feet.
Michelle Yeoh from Crazy Rich Asians: I can’t….she is the most gorgeous look of the night thus far. The diamonds…the emeralds. I am blinded by the light.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Christopher John Rogers; so stunning and beyond elegant- staying true to the black and white theme. Her hair is just next level!!!!! The headpiece is my favorite of the night!
Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton – what a crushing disappointment. This is the night to be ALL OUT, impractical and almost costume-y. It looks like she’s going to a sweet 16 birthday party.
Gemma Chan looked kind of like a chandelier in her Spring Louis Vuitton with a structured dress and the giant exaggerated hips…but I’m here for it. Not mad at her at all for this. She totally pulled it off!
Kris Jenner in Oscar De La Renta banana crystal caftan with the opera gloves…she really wanted to give us a Jackie O. moment and DID NOT disappoint.
Awkwafina in Gucci: So elevated and upscale. So refreshing to see her really elegant and fashion-forward. She looks phenomenal.
Alicia Keys in Ralph Lauren dress in duchess satin that has over 200,000 crystals with tiffany archival jewelry and the entire city of New York in rhinestones and beads on her train. WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO ME RIGHT NOW? Her hairpiece was 3-D, and it was like a snake around her entire ponytail.
How artistic and what a tribute to New York City! One of the best looks of the night.
Winnie Harlow looks like an angel. Literally what a vision in Iris Van Herpen. Her headpiece said it would “give everyone life all night”. She’s not wrong.
Emily Ratajkowski in a full beaded gypsy-inspired gown was 1992 Vintage Versace with her high-low skirt was the most GORGEOUS thing I’ve ever seen. She pulled it off like it was made for her. Totally giving me life.
Kourtney Kardashian….in a deconstructed version of Travis barker’s tux from Thom Browne. I’m sorry, what? When La La asked her what she thought about the theme, gilded glamour, she said, “Um, I really didn’t think about it.”. Wow, Okay, girl.
Khloe Kardashian…looks beautiful in her gold Moschino dress by Jeremy Scott with the black bustle and sleeves. She looks go gorgeous as a blonde!
Kim in the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress where she sang Happy Birthday to John Kennedy in the 1960’s. This dress was taken from the Ripley’s Believe or Not archives and is the dress of all dresses. She literally wore it up the steps before quickly changing into a replica. What an honor for her to wear it even if it was for just a few minutes.
Kylie Jenner in an Off-White wedding dress gave a tribute to the late Virgil Abloh. This in my opinion was a beautiful gesture that made a statement-making sure his work isn’t forgotten at the most prestigious fashion event of the year.
The super bowl of fashion has come to an end, but not to be forgotten. We will be waiting for the circus to start all over again in September with the kickoff of New York Fashion Week. We won’t be missing a single minute of it!
Written by: Holly Katz, your favorite personal stylist. And, the only Holly you need to know.
See more of my Met Gala commentary, as quoted by AP News on May 2, 2022, here.
Get our new 2022 Met Gala Episode on Friday, May 13, 2022. www.fashioncrimespodcast.com