THE first Monday in May annually brings together world-famous faces and names to the fundraising Costume Institute Gala at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art where the most extravagant and over-the-top outfits are revealed alongside this year’s theme, Camp: Notes on Fashion.
Every year, the Met Gala places the spotlight on actors, models, and anyone who’s in the industry, wearing incredible designs that celebrate the beauty of fashion. As pioneers in genderless dressing, the unusual and the Avante Garde in luxury fashion, Italian fashion house Gucci dominated the event’s pink carpet, causing more excitement on social media than any other designer. Alongside US Vogue editor in chief and the chairperson of this Gala Anna Wintour, this year’s Met Gala was co-chaired by Lady Gaga, Alessandro Michele, Harry Styles and Serena Williams.
Anna Wintour wearing Chanel, Met Gala 2019
Alessandro Michele wearing Gucci, Met Gala 2019
As sponsors of the event, Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele was presented as the co-host. His guests, including singer Harry Styles, were dressed in Gucci masterpieces. Styles arrived in a custom Gucci look that featured a bespoke organza shirt with black lace detailing that referenced periods from the New Romantic movement to the Victorian era. Writer and activist Sinéad Burke arrived shortly after in a black velvet V-neck dress with satin bow details. Shades of Grey actor Dakota Johnson and more celebrities also made their debut on the pink carpet in Gucci attire from head-to-toe.
Harry Styles wearing Gucci, Met Gala 2019
Sinéad Burke wearing Gucci, Met Gala 2019
Dakota Johnson wearing Gucci, Met Gala 2019
Ashley Graham wearing Gucci, Met Gala 2019
Alongside Gucci, several actors and directors glided onto the Met Gala in colourful Louis Vuitton looks, including Emma Stone, Grace Coddington, Indya Moore Chloë, Grace Moretz and more.
Emma Stone with Nicolas Ghesquière wearing Louis Vuitton, Met Gala 2019
Grace Coddington wearing Louis Vuitton, Met Gala 2019
Chloë Grace Moretz wearing Louis Vuitton, Met Gala 2019
Indya Moore wearing Louis Vuitton, Met Gala 2019
French fashion house Dior showcased its most artistic side on model Cara Delevigne, who was dressed in a crazy Pride-inspired bodysuit paired with a funky headpiece. Givenchy Haute Couture went for the more elegant and classier look when dressing tennis player Maria Sharapova and actor Gal Gadot. Likewise, Dior menswear was on full display on Travis Scott, Nick Jonas, Richard Madden and Verbal.
Cara Delevigne wearing Dior, Met Gala 2019
Maria Sharapova wearing Givenchy Haute Couture, Met Gala 2019
Gal Gadot wearing Givenchy Haute Couture, Met Gala 2019
Travis Scott wearing Dior Menswear, Met Gala 2019
Nick Jonas wearing Dior Menswear, Met Gala 2019
Richard Madden wearing Dior Menswear, Met Gala 2019
Verbal wearing Dior Menswear, Met Gala 2019
Brands such as Roksanda went for even bigger looks when dressing theatre director Sophie Hunter in a lavishly purple dress. Likewise, model Winnie Harlow was dressed in an incredible and bedazzled carnival-inspired dress by Tommy Hilfiger. More extravagant looks could be seen on model Naomi Campbell who wore a pink Valentino Haute Couture gown. In addition to this, a custom gown Richard Quinn was worn by model Lily Aldridge who was one of the main attractions on the pink carpet.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter wearing Roksanda, Met Gala 2019
Winnie Harlow wearing Tommy Hilfiger, Met Gala 2019
Naomi Campbell wearing Valentino Haute Couture, Met Gala 2019
Lily Aldridge wearing Richard Quinn, Met Gala 2019
Cardi B in Thom Browne
And of course, how can we forget the crowned Queen of the evening– Cardi B, who stunned in a custom oxblood tulle, silk organza and down-filled Thom Browne gown. The hand embroidered dress came with 30,000 burnt and dyed feathers, had a trail that took five people to attend to it and took 35 people and more than 2,000 hours to make. As Susan Sontag said, “The hallmark of camp is the spirit of extravagance. Camp is a woman walking around in a dress made of three million feathers”…
by Viola Li