The 2019 MET Gala was on Monday and after taking some time to look at every celebrity's outfit(s), paying attention to detail and keeping the theme in mind, I decided to write my review on the red carpet looks. Now, keep in mind that this year's theme was 'Camp: Notes on Fashion,' but what does that mean? Well, it is almost impossible to fully understand such a theme but if you read Susan Sontag's essay "Notes on 'Camp'," then you can easily get an idea of the theme's concept. As stated on MET's website, the essay provides the framework for the exhibition, which examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion. So what does that mean visually, based on the top best looks?
The exhibition of 'Camp: Notes on Fashion' shows that fashion is best when it is not taken so seriously. If you are someone who can only wear fixed outfits, meaning the colors must always go together, you only allow yourself to wear specific styles, or you do not take big risks when it comes to expression...then you probably did not like this theme at all or struggled to understand its concept. As said on Harper's Bazaar, camp has everything to do with basking in the "fabulousness, irony, and humor of being extra." Camp is defined as love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration; it usually comes around times of cultural instability and I think we can agree that America is very unstable at the moment, which is why some outfits told political messages. Sharing such messages through fashion is a method of escapism, which is the concept of camp. All the feathers you saw added the perfect touch of fabulousness and exaggeration, while the androgynous outfits proved escapism and the outfits that may have left you saying "What the hell?" is the unnatural. Personally, I love the theme camp but I do believe it was too misunderstood for the MET Gala to be as iconic as it was in previous years.
With that being said, keep reading to see a list of my ten favorite looks that were served and also followed the theme along with a small explanation of how I believe each look follows the theme.
1. Billy Porter
I do not even know where to begin. Billy Porter's outfit is my favorite of all because not only does he make gold look AMAZING, but he went above and beyond with making it look good paired with black and plenty of shimmer. This is camp because it is absolutely elegant, and he even arrives elegantly on his throne (as he should!), but it is also fabulous and beyond extra.
I love it.
2. Ezra Miller
Ezra's look is one of my favorites because it is exactly what Camp should look like. It is extra, bold, elegant, and full of details; just look at his makeup! When I first saw his look, I thought it created this type of optical illusion, which makes it stand out from the rest of the looks. In an interview with VICE, Miller says, "The celebration of camp is almost funereal. It’s almost like it dies as it walks in the room. But I think it consumes the other as well. You know? I think it’s like fire and oxygen.” This is the perfect representation of originality.
3. Lena Withe & Kerby Jean-Raymond
Nothing beats a well-coordinated graphic outfit set. This is one of my favorite looks because not only do the colors work together (yellow + blue never looked so good) but the messages conveyed on their outfits needed to be shared. If you have ever watched the television show Pose, then you know how much of an effect the black lgbtq+ community has on fashion but nobody ever wants to talk about that. Thank you, Lena and Kerby, for finally making people recognize what has been ignored.
4. Kylie Jenner
Now, the Kardashian/Jenner sisters have always made me feel some type of way because of the toxic influence they have on young girls but I do have to admit that Kylie bodied this Versace look. This full purple look is one of my favorites because it reminds me of Lil Kim's iconic purple, one tit out, outfit at the Video Music Awards in 1999. While it is not a surprise that someone like Lil Kim may have inspired Kylie's look, the puffy feather sleeves make it fit the theme just right.
Besides the fact that Harry has my entire heart, his outfit is one of my favorites because: 1) he looks so good in black and you cannot tell me otherwise and 2) he's breaking all the rules in male fashion. You can always depend on Harry to break social standards when it comes to fashion because he does not care and he really should not. Fashion has no labels; men should not be restricted to wear certain items of clothing the same way women should not. Also, news flash, there are people who identify as non-binary so they should definitely not be restricted. Fashion is for anyone and everyone. Have you ever seen a man wear a black mesh top with ruffles and heeled boots before? Well, now you have.
6. Lady Gaga
You can always depend on Lady Gaga to do what she is supposed to do: serve in the most dramatic way possible while putting on an unforgettable show. Lady Gaga brought the attitude of Camp by wearing three different outfits, along with props and accessories, ending with the most provocative one that proves how much she does not care about fashion and social rules. Like I said, she did what she was supposed to do.
Ms. Lupita arrived looking vibrant while incorporating a huge aspect of black culture, which is hair. The hair picks in her large afro, her makeup, and the eccentric design of her dress make this look camp but in such a funky way; I believe she brought exaggeration in the most unique way.
8. Janelle Monae
Words cannot express my love for Janelle Monae. She not only has a distinct music style but her fashion style is unmatchable. Monae follows the theme just by wearing 3 hats all at once and an asymmetrical dress that makes you ask, "How does she actually look good wearing this?" Honestly, I expected nothing else from her.
9. Bella Hadid
I am so obsessed with Bella Hadid (I mean just look at her face) and honestly think she had one of the best looks because she put a strong emphasis on accessories and details with her outfit. I realized that I was not paying closer attention to whether or not accessories were incorporated enough with the ensembles that night until I saw Bella and said: "Wow she is literally iced out." Her Moschino dress is lavish and elegant and the extra use of jewels makes it Camp but still chic.
10. Hailee Steinfield
Last but not least, Hailee Steinfield's statement ruffled dress is one of my favorites because the dress' design is very camp but the use of 'No Photos Please' across the dress makes it even more camp. While Hailee's dress tells you to not take photos of her, she is carrying a clutch that looks like a vintage camera. Now, that is how you do camp.
While these are my top 10 favorite looks from the 2019 MET, there are still many more that I love but I am interested in knowing others' favorites. Comment which looks you adored below!
-AK
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