By Nadia Urbina, May 10, 2022
The 2022 Met Gala, an event typically considered the “Superbowl of fashion,” left viewers and critics unimpressed, underwhelmed and shocked by the lack of effort from the attendees toward the event’s dress code.
The highly regarded event takes place every year on the first Monday of May at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York. The gala, hosted by Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Lin-Manuel Miranda, celebrates the second volume of the Costume Institute exhibition, the first one being in September 2021 called “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.”
This year’s theme, announced back in April 2022, continues “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” with the dress code being gilded glamor. The dress code draws inspiration from what is referred to as the “Gilded Age” in the U.S. during the 1870s to the early 1900s. This time period entailed the rise of the industrial economy after the Civil War, inequality and political corruption.
The fashion anticipated for the gala was expected to reflect the time period for which the dress code required. Avant-garde jewel tone gowns, corsets and rich fabrics were part of this specific time period and reflected the change in society as well as technological advances. What transpired at this year’s Met Gala left many viewers disappointed with the fashion choices of the night.
Media personality Kylie Jenner received much criticism for her Off-White gown look and backward baseball cap. The bridal gown was worn by the social media star in honor of the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh. Shortly after pictures surfaced of her outfit, Jenner was met with memes scrutinizing her fashion choice and not sticking to the dress code.
Other celebrities met with negative criticism for misinterpreting the dress code or plainly ignoring it, were Marvel actor Sebastian Stan dressed head to toe in a bright pink Valentino suit, Elon Musk, who wore a classic Tom Ford suit, and Kim Kardashian, who wore Marilyn Monroe’s dress worn by Monroe in 1962 while singing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. Cara Delevigne, who appeared on several worst dressed lists, wore gold body paint and a red Dior suit.
Through the lack of regard for the gala’s dress code, the stars that attended the event and abided by the theme shone the brightest.
Lively wore a Versace gown that showcased NYC landmarks. The copper gown showcased with embellishments included details found in the Empire State Building, references to the Statue of Liberty and constellation designs found in Grand Central Station. Singer Billie Eilish’s custom Gucci dress received praise for its own spin on the gilded glamor theme as well as Lizzo’s, who wore a corseted dress with gold details designed by Thom Browne.
For an event known for its fashion, art, culture and history, the 2022 Met Gala proved to be another unforgettable due to the fashion choices made by many. The gala’s funds for museum’s Costume Institute raised over $17.4 million.
More information about the event and museum can be found on their website. Behind-the-scenes information, red carpet interviews and details about attendee’s attire can be found on Vogue’s YouTube channel.
Feature image by Sharon Wu.