Old Hollywood Glamour Returns at the 2021 Met Gala
Image Courtesy: Vogue
This year’s theme for the Met Gala was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion. The red carpet embodied the glorified Golden Age, an iconic period in American culture during the ‘40s and ‘60s. Instead of following current American trends and culture, the following celebrities paid homage to Hollywood icons.
Kendall Jenner channeled Audrey Hepburn’s ball dress from the film My Fair Lady by giving it a modern twist. She wore custom Givenchy as she walked alongside Matthew Williams, the fashion company's creative director. The lengthy gown had an illusion tulle that was fully embroidered with crystal beads, fringe, and flowers. The gown was displayed over a nude corset bodysuit and complimented with matching gloves and beige leather sandals.
Image Courtesy: People
Gigi Hadid’s look was inspired by Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ outfit that the former first lady wore to a dinner at the White House in 1962 in celebration of André Malraux, France’s Minister of Cultural Affairs. The model wore a custom white column dress designed by Prada. Its features included a thigh-high leg slit in the back, embellished tights, black leather gloves, and crystal black pumps. Hadid dyed her hair red for the occasion, styling it in a high ponytail with a black Prada hairclip. She wanted to honor Jackie Kennedy while keeping up with the ‘50s and ‘60s glamour.
Billie Eilish's attire embodied Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and Holiday Barbies, which Eilish claimed were her favorite toys as a child. She wore a peach-colored gown designed by Oscar de la Renta, which featured a corset and tulle cold-shoulder sleeves. She styled her hair into a voluminous bob and completed her number with red lipstick and traditional black eyeliner. Her jewelry included thin silver rings, bracelets on both arms, and Cartier diamonds. Also wearing an original Oscar de la Renta dress was model Kaia Gerber. It was recreated from Bianca Jagger’s black Dior dress from the 1981 Met Gala. The dress followed a floral-like pattern at the top of the corset, with the rest of the dress flowing out like a ball gown.
Yara Shahidi’s custom Christian Dior strapless silk dress was inspired by French entertainer, Josephine Baker, the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture titled Siren of the Tropics. The dress was embroidered with beads and had a short trail and gold tulle cape. The look was tied together with a braided cap, matching gloves, and a plunging diamond necklace. Shahidi’s makeup was done by Dior Beauty. Megan Thee Stallion debuted with a baby pink colored dress designed by Coach. It was form-fitting styled with asymmetric ruffles. Her hair was crimped in looser waves, a popular style in the ‘20s and ’30s. Megan claimed that was her favorite era and referred to herself as “Megan Monroe.”
Image Courtesy: RedBook
Old Hollywood glamour has been a popular concept among luxury brand designers. Every outfit has a meaning behind its design as it ties back to history and relates to the present. Through fashion, celebrities were able to emulate their favorite legendary stars by adding their own modern twist.
Strike Out,
Writer: Veronica Polanco
Editors: Karina McCarthy & Lexi Fernandez
Graphics: Nicole Terry
Tallahassee
