The Met Gala: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Image Courtesy: @vougemagazine on Instagram
On the first Monday in May, fashion lovers from around the world gather to watch what is considered fashion’s pinnacle event. The Costume Institute Benefit, known as The Met Gala, fundraises for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. It is highly anticipated each year and sets the bar high regarding creativity in the fashion industry. This past week, The Met announced the spring 2024 exhibition “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”. The press release detailed what to expect from this unique and stunning exhibition, saying the theme will “explore notions of rebirth and renewal, using nature as a metaphor for the impermanence of fashion." The exhibition will display hundreds of historical garments and accessories that have been “sleeping” for centuries. What I adore about this theme is how it brings about a juxtaposition in its pieces, as it will take historical garments being reborn with contemporary pieces. Classic pieces will be presented with renewed textures, colors, designs, and structures honoring fashion’s deep and rich history.
The concept of historical awakening present in this year's theme has made me ponder past Met Gala themes, looks, and icons: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Good: Each year, there are dozens of iconic looks that make history. However, one look truly takes the cake: Blake Lively at the 2018 Met Gala “Heavenly Bodies”. Blake absolutely nailed the theme and blew everyone away in her custom-made Versace gown. She continuously sets the bar at each Met Gala and I look forward to seeing her interpretation of this year’s theme.
The Bad: In 2022, Kim Kardashian chose to wear the iconic Marilyn Monroe Happy Birthday Mr. President dress.. While she truly embodied the theme of “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”, it was not her best moment as it was revealed that she caused damage to the original dress. Her creativity and overall unique look was overshadowed by her inability to not just wear a replica.
The Ugly: It is hard to distinguish bad and ugly in terms of the looks on the carpet. Yet, sometimes you watch the live stream, see the photos, and question “Why would anyone let them wear that?” And that is exactly what I thought at this past year’s Met Gala when Jared Leto stepped out in a full catsuit. While I saw his vision of wanting to honor Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, it felt as though he was making a mockery of the theme and not truly celebrating Lagerfeld's work.
As we countdown to the most anticipated fashion event of the year, I can’t help but wonder who will create new iconic looks and who will make us cringe. There is always good, bad, and ugly, yet the event is a strong reminder that there is a charitable purpose to this aspect of the fashion industry. So, if you need me on May 6 I will be curled up on my couch ready to watch fashion icons walk the carpet and fashion’s greatest historical pieces reawaken.
Strike Out,
Hannah King
Editor: Kennedy Moran
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