As a college senior eagerly awaiting graduation, one of the highlights of my time at university has been the opportunity to explore and celebrate fashion in all its glory. And what better way to do that than to delve into the world of the Met Gala, an event that never fails to leave us in awe. The Met Gala, short for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, is a yearly fundraising event that takes place in New York City. It brings together celebrities, fashion designers, and artists to celebrate and raise funds for the museum’s Costume Institute. The gala is renowned for its extravagant themes, creative fashion choices, and jaw-dropping red carpet moments. In this blog, I’ll take you on a journey through the most memorable Met Gala 2019 looks and explain the theme that made it all possible.
The Met Gala, often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Fashion,” is a prestigious event that marks the grand opening of the annual fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The gala is chaired by the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, who plays a significant role in curating the guest list and setting the tone for the event. Each year, the Met Gala revolves around a specific theme, which is the crux of the evening’s fashion inspiration. The theme is decided in conjunction with the upcoming exhibit, and it provides attendees with the opportunity to interpret and express themselves through fashion.
In 2019, the Met Gala’s theme was “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” The theme was inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay, “Notes on ‘Camp,'” which delved into the notion of “camp” as an aesthetic and cultural sensibility. Camp, in the context of fashion, is characterized by extravagance, theatricality, and an appreciation for the absurd and the artificial. This theme allowed for a wide range of interpretations, making it one of the most exciting and unpredictable Met Gala themes to date.
Let’s dive into some of the most memorable Met Gala 2019 looks that perfectly encapsulated the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” theme.
Lady Gaga:
No discussion of the Met Gala 2019 would be complete without mentioning Lady Gaga. The singer and actress embraced the theme wholeheartedly, arriving in not one, not two, but four jaw-dropping outfits on the red carpet. Each look was an extravagant performance in itself, beginning with a voluminous hot pink Brandon Maxwell gown, and culminating in a sparkly black lingerie set. Her dramatic entrance set the tone for the night and showcased the essence of camp fashion at its best.
Billy Porter:
Billy Porter’s entrance at the Met Gala was nothing short of iconic. The actor and singer arrived carried by six shirtless men, dressed in a stunning custom-made “Sun God” ensemble designed by The Blonds. The look featured golden wings that spanned over ten feet, a sparkling catsuit, and a headpiece adorned with jewels. Porter’s outfit exemplified the extravagance and theatricality of camp fashion and became an instant Met Gala classic.
Ezra Miller:
Ezra Miller turned heads with his striking androgynous look at the Met Gala. The actor, known for his unique fashion choices, wore a pinstriped suit with an optical illusion design by Burberry. What truly made his outfit stand out was the five additional sets of eyes painted on his face, a nod to the concept of “seeing and being seen.” Miller’s appearance was a perfect representation of the camp’s playful and surreal aspects.
Zendaya:
Zendaya brought the magic of “Camp: Notes on Fashion” to life with her Cinderella-inspired entrance. The actress and singer wore a Tommy Hilfiger gown that seemingly transformed with the wave of a wand. With the help of her stylist, Law Roach, Zendaya created a spectacle by having her dress light up, while she left a “glass” slipper on the red carpet. Her look was a delightful mix of nostalgia and extravagance, celebrating the camp’s obsession with excess.
Celine Dion:
Celine Dion’s Met Gala look was a testament to her infectious and fun-loving personality. The singer donned a shimmering Oscar de la Renta fringe gown with a high, feathered headdress. Her outfit exuded the spirit of camp, embracing drama and exaggeration while embodying a sense of joy and playfulness.
Janelle Monáe:
Janelle Monáe’s avant-garde Christian Siriano outfit was a striking blend of surrealism and camp. Her custom-made dress featured a hypnotic eye design, complete with a blinking, animated eye on her breast. The outfit was a perfect embodiment of camp’s fascination with the bizarre and the otherworldly.
Katy Perry:
Katy Perry certainly did not hold back when it came to interpreting the camp theme. The singer arrived as a chandelier, courtesy of Moschino’s Jeremy Scott. Her outfit was an intricate masterpiece, complete with working lights. Perry later changed into a hamburger costume during the gala, proving that camp fashion can be as delightfully ridiculous as it is extravagant.
The Met Gala 2019 demonstrated that camp fashion is all about embracing the absurd, the extravagant, and the artificial. It’s about pushing the boundaries of creativity and self-expression through clothing, and the attendees certainly delivered on this front. The fashion choices seen on the red carpet celebrated the essence of camp, where art and fashion collide in a playful and surreal manner.
In conclusion, the Met Gala 2019 was a night to remember, where the theme “Camp: Notes on Fashion” allowed celebrities and designers to let their imaginations run wild. From Lady Gaga’s multiple outfit changes to Billy Porter’s golden wings, the red carpet was a spectacle of creativity and extravagance. The Met Gala continues to be a place where fashion transcends mere clothing and becomes a form of art, and it serves as an inspiration for those of us who are passionate about fashion and creativity.
As a college senior, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and inspiration when I look back at the Met Gala 2019. It’s a reminder that fashion knows no bounds, and that we can use it to express ourselves, challenge norms, and celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary. The Met Gala, with its unforgettable themes and fashion moments, is an event that captures the spirit of creativity and self-expression at its finest. So, as I prepare to graduate and embark on a new chapter, I’m motivated by the magic of the Met Gala to continue exploring and celebrating the ever-evolving world of fashion.
