ValApparel

I was going to try and think of a quirky, catchy catchphrase for this BLOG, but I think it deserves the title it is known by, the MET GALA. I always look forward to seeing what fabulous and sometimes ridiculous outfits the so-called ‘celebrities’ wear.

I know it’s Anna Wintour’s baby, as the event is hosted by VOGUE and as the long running editor in chief of American Vogue, why wouldn’t it be, however I didn’t know the background on it.

The Met Gala or Met Ball, formally called the Costume Institute Gala or the Costume Institute Benefit, is an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s Costume Institute in New York City. The Met Gala is popularly regarded as the world’s most prestigious and glamorous fashion event and social gathering and is known as “fashion’s biggest night”; an invitation is highly sought after. Personalities who are perceived to be contemporaneously relevant to society amongst various professional spheres, including fashion, film, television, music, theater, business, sports, social media, and politics, are invited to attend the Met Gala,^[4 organized by the fashion magazine Vogue.

The Met Gala is an event held annually on the first Monday of May,^[5] which marks the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit hosted on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.^[6] Many of the attendees are depicted on the covers and pages of Vogue. Each year’s event celebrates the specific theme of that year’s Costume Institute exhibition, which sets the tone for the formal attire of the night.

Over time, the Met Gala has evolved from the New York epicenter to become increasingly global in its perspective. For instance, the 2023 Gala’s theme was titled “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”, which honored the artistic contributions of the late German designer to the world of fashion and traced his evolution; and all four co-chairs hailed from Europe. In 2022, the theme was titled “Gilded Glamour”, which honored the Gilded Age in New York. Guests are expected to curate their fashion to match the theme of the exhibit, generally in haute couture. Global fashion icon Anna Wintour, who is the editor-in-chief of Vogue, has chaired or co-chaired the Met Gala since 1995, except for the 1996 Met Gala, which was chaired by Wintour’s successor at British Vogue.

I thought we would have a look at some of the outfits from this year’s event and I would critique them, now, it’s not to say I am any great authority on this, however, my opinion matters, to me anyway!!

The colour scheme (as per KL),was white, black or pink.

Anna Wintour, wearing cat inspired Chanel dress, I am hoping the coat is just because she is cold and it’s not part of the whole ensemble, however, she seems to be the only one who still has outdoor wear on so I am thinking, this is actually part of her ‘look’ and whilst the coat is lovely, great shape, it just doesnt look right with a long, fitted (by the looks of it) dress. This coat would be lovely with some knee length skater style dress or a plain black knee length shift. A long flowing pashmina/cape style would have looked so much more elegant. Just shows you daaaahhhllliiinnngggsss, even the Head of Fashion sometimes doesnt get it right!!!

Lets’s move on to………

Dua Lipa, wearing Karl Lagerfield, this was previously worn by his muse, the beautiful Claudia Schiffer. It’s a stunning dress, I love the pockets in the front. I think a nice bejewelled headband would have set it off with her hair down, or alternatively, no headband and hair up. Hey, it’s my opinion… take it or leave it.

Who’s next to get it. What?? I was actually nice about Ms Lipa

Gigi Hadid, wearing Givenchy. Just a mish mash, we have hip bones on show, legs on show, bit of chiffon covering the corset and some more chiffon draped over big pants and some chiffon gloves !!!! Seriously , the whole look is so tacky, and black isnt a great colour on her…

Next…….

Anne Hathaway wearing Versace, notes of Liz Hurley and ‘that dress’ in 1984, which is a shame as the safety pins have been done before, the sleeves she is wearing are Chanel style and add what exactly???? I don’t really have much of an opinion on this. I neither like nor dislike which just means it’s a bit ‘blah’.

Jennifer Lopez, wearing/not wearing, Ralph Lauren. Now, I do like parts of this outfit, it ‘could’ have been really classy if there was more to the top, but sadly, as with most things Mrs Affleck wears to these events, she always has to have some flesh on show, yes Jen, you look great for your age but please, we have all seen it all before, put it away, the silly couple of bits of material covering your dignity, totally ruin what could have been a very classy outfit (love the train, the gloves, the headpiece).

Rihanna, wearing Valentino. I have few words, other than

RIDICULOUS, I rest my case your Honour.

Karlie Kloss, wearing Loewe. I actually like this, it helps if you have a figure like Karlie’s , (and that’s her pregnant!!!) The dress is simple, classic, well fitted, I even love all the chain detail (not keen on the dyed black hair though), but that’s just my personal opinion. Well done Loewe and Karlie.

Kendall Jenner, wearing Marc Jacobs. Such a stunningly beautiful girl and that figure, wow, but she seems to be missing something for her bottom half. I actually love this body suit, the sequins, the Peter Pan collar and it fits like a glove, literally, but I would actually have loved to have seen this as a wide legged jumpsuit, still fitted at the top, maybe even some kind of corset round the waistband and yes, I am all for a long or volumous sleeve, but these are a bit silly….. and a tad pointless, if she doesnt break her neck in the boots, she will tripping over her sleeves. (I have never been a huge fan of Marc Jacobs attire , prefer his bags).

I get that it’s the Met Gala and designers and ‘celebs’ want to make their mark, however, the designers and ‘celebs’ are already known. Yes, design and wear something a bit different/unique, but in a good way, some of the outfits this year just verged on the ridiculous!!!