A review of the 2021 Met Gala
Written by Miranda Bess
Billie Eilish in Oscar De la Renta
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
It's time again for fashion's biggest night of the year! The Met Gala is a fundraising event for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Gala marks the opening of the museum’s annual fashion exhibit which follows a unique theme every year. The Met Gala is most known for the celebrity arrivals at the front steps of the museum, dressed to the nines in ensembles that go with the theme of the exhibit. The Gala, which usually takes place on the first Monday of May, was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic and pushed back to September 2021. So, after 2 years of no Met Gala, designers are ready to showcase their interpretations on the red carpet. This year’s theme was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Designers used traditional and modern elements of American fashion as the inspiration for their looks.
Barbie Ferriera in Jonathan Simkhai
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Co-chairs Billie Eilish, Timothee Chalamet, Amanda Gorman, and Naiomi Osaka all sported incredible looks, but Eilish clearly stands out. The singer wore an Oscar de la Renta nude gown accessorized with Cartier jewelry and her new platinum blonde bob, reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe. When interviewed on the red carpet, Eilish said her inspiration was “Hollywood Barbie,” which she executed perfectly.
Eilish wasn’t the only one sporting old Hollywood glam. Euphoria actress Barbie Ferreira wore Jonathan Simkhai to the museum steps in a beaded pearl ensemble that exudes luxury.
By far, one of the most on-theme looks was worn by Jenifer Lopez in her western ensemble by Ralph Lauren. Lopez wore a dark brown-toned gown accessorized with a wide-brimmed hat, a feather bolero jacket, and silver jewelry. The look clearly took inspiration from the Wild West and set her apart from the rest of the crowd. Though she walked solo with this getup, it's obvious the Met Gala was graced with the better half of “Bennifer 2.0.”
Lil Nas X wearing Atelier Versace
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Lil Nas X was one of the newcomers at this year’s Met, and he certainly did not disappoint. Similar to Lady Gaga’s outfits of the 2019 Met, the singer sported more than one look. He first stepped out in a large cape with gold beading and a long train which he then revealed to be a gold bodysuit resembling armor. Ready to go to battle for the title of best dressed, he took off the final layer to display a form-fitted gold bodysuit.
Jennifer Lopez wearing Ralph Lauren
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It would be a mistake to do a review of this year’s Met without mentioning the celebrities and designers that took this opportunity to call attention to the heated political climate in America today. Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as model Cara Delevingne were just a few who wore looks that displayed important political messages. Maloney wore an Antonios Couture gown in suffragist colors with sashes that said “Equal Rights for Women.”
Other celebrities who showed up to serve were Rhianna, Normani, Dan Levi, Yara Shahidi, Mj Rodriguez, Kim Petras, and Lorde just to name a few. However, one of the best looks of the night was worn by fashion icon Iman. She wore a large gold feathered crown headpiece with a hoop cage skirt to match designed by Harris Reed. Underneath the extravagant tiered skirt was a metallic gold bodysuit and the look was inspired by ballroom culture from America's golden age. The model’s look stole the show and showcased the over-the-top energy that the Met Gala is all about.
Man wearing Harris Reed
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After being Met Gala-deprived in 2020, this year's event was definitely one to remember. The purpose of the Met Gala is to celebrate the artistry, creativity and innovation in the fashion industry and it's safe to say the 2021 Met delivered. This year's Gala was a two part theme with the 2022 theme bringing, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.”
Carolyn Maloney wearing Antonios Couture
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