the first monday in may.
Photo: Rawf8 - stock.adobe.com
Today was supposed to be one of my favourite fashion nights of the year. The annual Met Gala. Where designers and celebrities get together to create the most insane fashion.
For those who don’t know, the Met Gala was started as a way to raise funds for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Starting in the 1940’s, it was really only for elite New York social society but over the years it has turned into one of the fashion events of the year. First came the socialites, then the supermodels and then, well, every other star under the sun.
Each Gala has a different theme that coincides with an exhibit launch at the museum and it’s up to the designers and attendees to interpret what it means to them. (I personally love when someone goes all out with the theme. What’s the point otherwise?)
Since we won’t be able to see the celebs walk up those iconic steps this year, I thought it’d be fun to put together a list of some of my favourite looks from previous years. Now, this list is absolutely definitive as I am the end all, be all, of the fashion world. Obviously.
Enjoy!
1999 - Liv Tyler + Stella McCartney
Rock Style
I mean… they’re not wrong. In my opinion, they completely nailed the best part of The Met Gala outfits, fun and not taking itself too seriously.
2006 - Mary-Kate + Ashley Olsen
AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion
Let me be the first to tell you, I love an Olsen twin moment. And although this isn’t my most favourite MK&A Met Gala look (they have almost always attended this event every year since 2005 so there’s lots to choose from), this is the Olsen era that made me want to get side bangs like Ashley.
2007 - Cameron Diaz
Poiret: King Of Fashion
Does this colour combo work anymore? No. Was 15 year old me obsessed with turquoise jewelry after seeing this? Yep.
2013 - Sarah Jessica Parker
Punk: Chaos to Couture
The velvet boots… the giant gold and black mohawk?! Honestly, I think about this SJP look more than I’d like to admit.
2015 - Beyoncé
China: Through the Looking Glass
Beyoncé and a Givenchy dress. Pretty much speaks for itself no?
2015 - Rihanna
China: Through the Looking Glass
The exhibit this year was all about honouring the influence of Chinese art, film, and pop culture on Western fashion. As one of the few attendees to collaborate with a Chinese designer, Guo Pei specifically, this look gets my vote!
But let’s be honest, the woman is so iconic with her Gala looks she could have been the entire list.
2017 - Bella Hadid
Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between
If lewks could kill… this Alexander Wang cat suit would tear your heart out.
2018 - Blake Lively
Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination
This is probably my favourite outfit that has ever been worn to the Met Ball.
Atelier Versace. I just. What is there to say? Perfecto!
2019 - Billy Porter
Camp: Notes on Fashion
Very few men make the best dressed lists when it comes to this event. Most seem to play it safe with a classic suit and tie… Billy never does that and I love him for it.
Also, it should be noted that he had six shirtless men carry him to the carpet on a bed.
2019 - Lady Gaga
Camp: Notes on Fashion
The Queen of Camp herself in Brandon Maxwell. Her entrance included props, extras, and 4 outfit changes (in real time) on one carpet! In terms of memorable outfits… no one does it better.
I could really keep going but we have to cap it off somewhere right? Here’s hoping that one day we’ll get to see the 2020 looks that might have been!
