010: met (gala) with confusion…
Last week, our favorite... and not-so-favorite... faces in fashion hit the Met Gala stairs yet again. The theme of this year’s Met Gala was "Garden of Time," exploring the intersection of fashion and temporality, inspired by J.G. Ballard’s 1962 short story of the same name. The theme also derived from the upcoming exhibition Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion at the Met Museum of Art. "The exhibition is divided into three sub-themes—Land, Sea, and Sky—and focuses on the fragile and irreplaceable fashion pieces from the Costume Institute’s archives, highlighting their beauty and inevitable decay" (Vogue).
courtesy of VOGUE.com
Personally, I enjoyed fewer looks than I’d expected. Then again, I did not expect the majority of the attendees to follow the dress code because it seemed that not many people even understood it. Even Anna herself knew she had the girls confused. "I fear that we have unleashed a lot of confusion out there. And for which I deeply apologize, I imagine we'll see a lot of flowers, a lot of flowers... The idea of sleeping beauties is taking these masterpieces from different periods and because so many of them are very fragile, they are laid flat behind glass walls." Having the dress code go slightly over your head isn't the most federal offense, though.
However, one offense that has constantly been on my mind is rapper, Cardi B not knowing who made her dress... for the Met... an event tightly based on fashion: what you're wearing, the story behind it, and who made it. In a carpet interview, when asked who made her dress, she replied that she did not know. What she did know was that the designer was Asian.
Cardi B, via Getty Images
For the record, the designer's name is Windowsen. She is an emerging designer that makes avant-garde pieces, pushing the boundaries of conventional fashion. I think it's cool.
more by Windowsen, via Instagram
Let's also mention the fact that Cardi B was basically invited by Instagram to sit at their table, which they paid for at the Met, and approved by Anna and the Met Gala higher-ups. I have no issue with this part, and actually think it's alright because social media is where some of the most influential people of the times do their influencing. It's cool that people, who otherwise would not have had the opportunity, get to step into new doors. Also, many sponsors invite amazing and deserving guests. It's not taboo.
Instagram's attendees, via Instagram's Instagram
What I do not like about this is the fact that people who have no real love or respect for these industries are able to infiltrate irresponsibly. I think it is rather irresponsible to come to work unprepared, which is essentially what happened here. Cardi dropped the ball. This was an opportunity for her to show that although your fire may not burn for something—in her case, fashion—there are endless ways to pay respect when you’re invited to experience these spaces. Turn and ask your stylist at the very least.
The call to action here is to come to school with your homework done no matter who you are, who you know, or how much money you have. Also, to Anna: sometimes it’s okay to just invite the stylist. You know who's behind these looks!
In more #VCapproved news, the looks that caught my eye at the Met Gala were those of Chloe Sevigny and Taylor Russell. They delivered stunning interpretations of the "Garden of Time" theme, showcasing unique styles and creative interpretations of fashion's temporality. Chloe went full-on Victorian with a custom Dilara gown composed entirely of repurposed Victorian fabrics. The look didn't end there, as she chose a Victorian mourning hairstyle to really sell it, a look that was worn as a celebration of life for those passed on. Everything about this look came full circle. Loewe and Taylor Russell were a match made in trompe-l'œil. According to Vogue, "Russell wore a high-neck corset designed to resemble a wood marquetry pattern. She paired her 3D-molded top with a circle skirt made of silk crepe marocain, which featured a thigh-high slit and draped waist." The silhouette was #2die4. She took to the carpet like a classical statue, draped in ivory, come to life.
Chloe Sevingy, photographed by Hedi Stanton. Taylor Russell via Getty Images and @tayrussell via Instagram. Design process images by Loewe.
Overall, I enjoyed the Met this year as I always do because it provides so many talking points for discourse within the fashion community. Was it my favorite? Naaauuurr. However, I do feel that this year's theme allowed designers, muses, and fashion world writers and creatives to really show what they've got. It pushed them to conduct research and demonstrate their dedication to their craft as it posed a challenge. Despite the confusion around the theme, there were most definitely a few golden apples that shed light on the whole bunch.
xoxo, VC. <3
OG post date: may. 16.24.
