a brief met gala reflection
blah blah blah
i love fashion, i love analyzing pretty little clothes!
disclaimer: it’s feels really stupid to write and care about the met gala right now. i feel a need to justify my care, which is even more stupid. the 1% gather- unsure how to approach a theme with black people at its center in a political climate where no one wants to be taken out of context. all while protestors were harassed down the block for refusing to comply with the ongoing funding of a genocide. putting any weight on celebrities paying thousands of dollars for a ticket to party is trivial. i almost feel guilty to engage in conversations about the event. and in that same vein, the event is a tribute to an art form i feel so deeply for. why not evaluate the art of styling and costume? i debrief with the tail between my legs.
most exciting to myself, i used to post slide carousels of my met gala fashion thoughts. now, i’m equally lazy and compelled to craft an extensive deep dive. i also wanted to hear the motivation behind everyone’s look before landing on definitive thoughts, frantically watching vogue behind the look videos and reading comprehensive twitter threads. therefore, i present a brief look at dandyism, some favorites of the evening, and low scale chops. it’s a quick and disorganized archive, once again for my own benefit.
black dandyism
from my examination of dandyism, i favor its stylistic and symbolic attributes. it’s right up my alley with the sharp tailoring and bold silhouettes, working to reimagine an idea or norm. also, black dandyism goes further as a tool of resistance and mode of expression. i recommend this vogue article for an in-depth analysis of the themes’ core principles, influential figures, key characteristics, and evolution in fashion. it was helpful to have background of the subject; i won’t attempt to regurgitate it all. i’ll wait (or not).
obvious slam dunks include…
coleman domingo, teyonna taylor, khaby lame, diana ross, janelle monae, zoe saldana, tessa thompson, lauryn hill, myha’la, etc.
MVP: Doja Cat in Marc Jacobs
i submit my MVP of the evening. known for taking fashion risks, i really fuck with the eighties route doja cat took; capturing how black dandyism looked different in a time outside the early 20th century. here, she takes inspiration from grace jones; whose vibe dominated the 1970s and 80s scenes of art, music, and beauty. the sharp lines, exaggerated silhouette, bold print contrasting with the glittered lines of the jacket… it’s all so scrumptious to me.
Megan Thee Stallion in Michael Kors
Ayo Edebiri in Ferragamo by Maximilian Davis, inspired by the Edo tribe
i mean i mean! ayo edebri and stylist danielle goldberg continue to work beautifully together. i so enjoy the little details ayo describes in this look, like the coral beads, significance of accessorizing, and taking influence from the dandy men in her life. obsessed.
people i won’t comment on… but definitely raise my eyebrows at for one reason or another.
kim kardashian, emma chamberlain, anna wintour, lisa, chappell roan, sydney sweeney, doechii, maya hawke, etc.
Notable Mentions!
Gigi Hadid in Miu Miu
a majority of the guests took inspiration from notable decades like the 1930s, therefore i was unsurprised when gigi hadid appeared as a golden starlet. i initially brushed the look off as predictable, another josephine baker nod for the books. however, in reviewing vogue’s red carpet interviews, i could tell the model embraced the theme by letting others lead. she allowed her understanding to be shaped through friends and collaborators who have lived and explored their idenitity through black dandyism. hadid rattles off the bullet points you know she memorized, but does it with a sincerity for the craft that flipped my perception of her look. i could tell it was made with care and intention. (TS: 47 seconds)
Caleb McLaughlin in Dior
Sabrina Carpenter in Louis Vuitton
i wasn’t super into sabrina’s look at first given that it’s so similar to her tour looks. if leaning into her branding, why not add the tight and garter to fill in the awkward gaps of this outfit? it feels so close to being labelled Good, but falls short. she also noted in red carpet interviews that pharrell williams, the creative director of mens louis vuitton, stated she wouldn’t be wearing pants to the event. moreover, her afterparty look felt like an authentic take on the theme while still being an uniquely her. the whole point is to challenge the norm, no? (ps. i bear no ill will to SC, her and jared ellner are another prized collaboration of mine)
Most chopped goes to Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner!
i would say now don’t me piss off, but they already have. these two looks have irked me beyond belief. while the pieces are beautiful, it’s not difficult to imagine this as jenner and bieber’s standard attire for a night out to dinner. if not properly committed to at least understand the theme, ergo do you hate black people? a query for the culture. overall, absolutely boring and left a sour taste in my mouth.
there is no fancy conclusion. i love being judgemental and discovering the intricacies of craftsmanship. i am moved by costuming but recognize the corruption and mass distraction of an event like the met gala. thank you for indulging me.