Met Gala 2019
It's my favorite time of year again where everyone joins together for the annual Met Gala. Every year I cling to my phone to see all the incredible looks that just warm my heart.
This years theme was Camp: Notes on Fashion (May 9 – September 9, 2019)
The Met's website lists The exhibition itself as having more than 250 objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present. It will explore the origins of the camp's exuberant aesthetic. Susan Sontag's 1964 essay "Notes on 'Camp'" provides the framework for the exhibition, which examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion. In summing up Sontag’s writings she argued that camp is the “love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration . . . style at the expense of content . . . the triumph of the epicene style”—so timely with what we are going through culturally and politically that, it was felt that it would have a lot of cultural resonance.
This one may have been my favorite description I got from Vogue.
In one of her many definitions of the topic, Sontag writes about camp’s connection to androgyny:
Camp taste draws on a mostly unacknowledged truth of taste: the most refined form of sexual attractiveness (as well as the most refined form of sexual pleasure) consists in going against the grain of one’s sex. What is most beautiful in virile men is something feminine; what is most beautiful in feminine women is something masculine. ... Allied to the Camp taste for the androgynous is something that seems quite different but isn’t: a relish for the exaggeration of sexual characteristics and personality mannerisms.
Basically, this is not your typical camp.
Here are my favorite looks from the night.
Anna Wintour, Editor in Cheif of Vogue. She is wearing a stunning pink sequined couture Chanel gown that also has a pink and dark purple feather cape. This was the first look I saw of the evening and I'm just in love with it. Rhianna who didn't come this year tweeted out that Anna was the best dressed and I agree simply cause she always is. While researching this dress I did find out that this is actually the last dress Karl Lagerfeld who was the head of Chanel until his death earlier this year made. While he started the dress it was finished by Virginie Viard, who was Lagerfeld's longtime studio director and collaborator. She just succeeded him as Chanel creative director. The dress serves as more of a tribute to his genius than anything else.
Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Gaga did a whole show making her entrance and honestly, pictures don't do it justice so go google it. She showed up in the top left one the full pink flowing dress that her associates made billow. Shortly after arriving with some assistance she took of the flowing pink dress. That revealed the black dress you see top right with the umbrella. A few moments later that was taken off to the form-fitting pink dress which she then to the time to reapply some lipstick and take a phone call. When it comes to Gaga just when you think she is done she surprises you and took off that dress to be down in this bra and panty look with the boots. Finally, the last picture is an up-close look of her makeup. The entire look was amazing and I adore it. Actually, the people that got there before her stood at the top of the steps and watched all this. That is how powerful this was as a whole.
Billy Porter in The Blonds. Billy is the greatest and we don't deserve him. He was carried in like the Queen he is, which you would think would be the greatest part. No, he got down to spread his wings and it was glorious. This look is a theatrical nod to Ancient Egypt including a bejeweled catsuit outfitted with 10-foot wings, a 24-karat gold headpiece, as well as custom gold-leaf Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and fine jewels by Andreoli, John Hardy, and Oscar Heyman. This was an ode to a look from Diana Ross in 1975’s Mahogany and he killed it.
Zendaya in Tommy Hilfiger. This Queen channeled her inner Cinderella in this light up Hilfiger dress. She had the entire look right down the blonde hair. To add to the effect of the dress she walked the carpet with her own fairy godmother, Law Roach as he waved his wand her dress lit up. Go watch a video of this as well it's magically.
Lena Waithe and Kerby Jean-Raymond, the creative director of Pyer Moss both came in double-breasted Pyer Moss suit with a strong statement stitched on the back: "Black drag queens invented camp on Waithe's and "Fix your credit. Pool money. Buy back the block," on Jean-Raymond's. I loved these suits from the front they are just that classic pin strip that I adore but the back made them better. They wanted to make sure their outfits represented the black drag queens who started this camp thing about being over the top and they did it perfectly.
Kasey Musgraves in Moschino channeling a true fashion icon—Barbie. Her look comes complete with Barbie accessories including her full hot pink look with the leather bomber jacket gown complete with a thigh-high slit that most Barbie dresses had. She also had Forevermark jewels, Aldo silver pumps, bold magenta sunglasses, and a blow dryer purse which may be my favorite part of it. This entire look is incredible and I'm in love with it. I love pink so this is a dream outfit and I want it in my size.
Lupita Nyong'o in custom Versace and Bulgari jewelry. This bright rainbow gown is insane. The contrast from the bright feathered top and then pink star mess skirt is just stunning. To top it off she had set of combs topped off with “Fight the Power” raised fists, and spray-painted them gold which is a tribute Lauren Kelly's Self-portrait called Pickin. Her makeup was a nod to Drag Queen Divine. The entire look is incredible and works together as a whole.
Hailee Steinfeld in Victor & Rolf, This fluffy ballgown that makes her look like a little girl with the biggest hair bow going to a fancy grown-up party. Then adding the message saying ‘NO PHOTOS PLEASE’ which is great considering it a photograph-heavy event is amazing and I'm in love with this look. She brought a vintage looking camera with her to go with it. I want to only wear dresses like this just around everywhere.
Nina Dobrev in Zac Posen. Which this one I loved the way it flowed when I saw it but when I actually looked into it I was blown away. This is one of the most impressive design feats from Zac Posen, who partnered with GE Additive x Protolabs to create this look with a 3D printing. Her dress was made in the shape of her exact measurements. The top layer, a bustier, is made using Somos Watershed XC 11122 Plastic, the almost glass-like finish a result of wet hand-sanding and spraying with a top coat. This dress is insane and looks amazing on her. I wasn't expecting this one.
Ezra Miller in Burberry. He wore a pinstripe suit with a train and bedazzled corset, with blinged-out oxford black-and-white shoes to match. His take on camp was that it was almost a funeral. His makeup was done by Vancouver-based makeup artist Mimi Choi to create multiple sets of eyes on his face, creating a dizzying illusion. It's both headache-inducing and wonderful. I have literally just sat and stared at these pictures and it's really intense but I love it.
Michael Urie in Christian Siriano. He took the gender-bending approach with the half pink tulle ballgown, half pinstripe suit. I adore that he switched it up with the heel and makeup on the suit side and the bare face on the dress side. This is also proof that you can be your own date.
Cardi B in Thom Browne. This giant, red, feather and jewel-adorned gown with a 10-foot train and protruding ruby nipples. The nipples encrusted on the breastplate cost a whopping $250,000 a piece. The inspiration for this dress was the woman's body and the way it flows with the design is just pleasing to look at and I dig it.
Dua Lipa in Versace. I love the psychedelic fabric of this dress and the way it flows from the belted part of it. Actually, this literally looks like she is just wearing a jumpsuit that they added this skirt too. Adding on the jeweled multicolored crown-like headpiece. I really dig this and it makes me wanna wear it to a black light party.
Naomi Campbell in Valentino. This lilac couture gown with feather cape and lace tights. I just love this look and the color is stunning on her. Plus this women brought a human wind machine to ensure that she felt her best. An anonymous man, dressed in all black, was pictured fanning the supermodel as she posed for pictures. Simply cause red carpets are hot and sticky. Just knowing that adds to the look for me. Like that's goals right there. I didn't include a picture with the guy cause you can't see the dress.
Dakota Johnson in Gucci. I just love the bleeding heart in this dress with the crown it makes her look like an angel queen from a baroque painting. A bleeding heart just speaks to me for some reason.
Ciara in Peter Dundas. This emerald green gown complete with cut-outs and lined with hundreds of ostrich feathers. The sleeves and the hair clips she used add to it. Actually, she had the best hair of the night.
Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton. I just adore this shiny silver glitter jumpsuit with the gold shoes and belts as an accent.
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner in Louis Vuitton. I love these patterns that look like 80's pop art. Honestly, it just wants I'm in too and I need more clothes as such. Also if you notice Sophie is wearing the same belt as Emma just in Silver.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas in Dior. Priyanka looks like a modern day good witch in this. I love the silver with the pops of gradient pink, yellow, and magenta feathers at the bottom. She topped the look off with a crown. Nick is in a white suit by Dior Men which I like cause it works with her whole look but I wouldn't care for it separately.
Lily Collins in Giambattista Valli. She is literally wearing the hell out of this ruffled white gown trailed by a floor-sweeping train, with her hair teased up and an extension added. This is her channeling Priscilla Presley on her wedding day to Elvis in 1967. She did everything perfectly with the headband and the classic Priscilla makeup with a slightly modern twist. I really dig it.
Janelle Monáe in Christian Siriano. This dress is a surrealist painting that featured an eye on her chest with eyelashes that fluttered about every 4 steps. The skirt features red lips printed on the colorblocked hot pink and white skirt with a very exaggerated shape at the hips. This is just pleasing to look at and I don't think anyone else could have pulled this off like she did.
Kim Kardashian West in Thierry Mugler. The dress was designed to look like she was dripping wet with the skin-tight silicone body dress and the crystals hanging off of it. I just love the illusion that they created with it. This look was inspired by Sophia Loren's look in 1957's Boy on a Dolphin. There is a video of them getting her into and she literally said that should wouldn't be able to eat, drink or pee while wearing it. The only thing I know about Kanye's outfit is that costs $63.
Lucy Boynton in Prada. I just adore this delicate looking sparkly gown with feathers at the bottom. I wanna wear this an run down hallways while it flows behind me. I love the pastel colors and the crown. She went the extra mile with her hair as well and I dig it.
Jared Leto in Gucci. This long red turtleneck dress with dangling string of diamonds falling over his shoulder just looks comfy Also I will take his Head as well. Which if you aren't aware of Jared Leto then this may look strange. Which he opted for this to go with the camp theme cause it's serious but not too serious. So It fits in there and is still funny to see. Also, those replica heads cost about 11,000 apparently, which sounds insane.
Natasha Lyonne in Jean Paul Gaultier. This jumpsuit inspired by Klaus Nomi with huge, pointy shoulders and the crisscrossed swaths of blue and white. The look was made complete with tons of David Webb diamonds, including the brand’s “Madison Happy Days” earrings and bracelets. However, the accessory that I really love was this lucite and gold purse, that is shaped like an oversized pill and filled with cigarettes and a black lighter resting on top. It's the rogue little things that I adore about simple looks. I expect nothing less from Natasha at all this look is perfect for her.
Florence Welch in Gucci. This medieval inspired gown with the turquoise and lilac accents including the lace detail and her cape was intricately beaded. The lace dress with the spiked cape over it is pastel perfection and I love it.
Carolina Trentini in Thom Browne. I just love this dress. I'm all for skull and skeletons so this one is simple and perfect. I need it in my sizes as well.
Ryan Murphy in Christian Siriano. He is wearing in this custom pearl-embroidered, floor-length cape, tonal silk suit completely encrusted with sequins, and a bejeweled bowtie. Apparently, it was hell getting there in this since he had to lay down in the car but it was worth it since this outfit is stunning. This look was inspired by a Liberace shows called "The Neptune"
Celine Dion in Oscar de la Renta. She looks like a straight up vegas showgirl in this custom metallic, long-sleeve gown with all-over fringe accents that was inspired by the Ziegfeld Follies. This outfit took over a total of 3,000 hours to create by 52 master embroiderers and weighs over 22 pounds. The dress paired with this spiky silver headpiece just shows that Celine can pull off anything.
Serena Williams in Versace and de Grisogono jewelry. This dress is a brilliant bright yellow with pink and orange what looks like butterflies. The shoulders that arch up and flow down like a cape to go over the form-fitting dress. The real thing that ties this whole look together and why I picked it was the pair of highlighter green Nike x Off-White Air Force One sneakers, logo’d with “Air” on them. It was a strange choice, but for her, it totally worked.
Cara Delevingne in Dior. She is wearing a sheer rainbow-striped playsuit from their haute couture spring/summer 2019 line that I'm just in love with. If the dress wasn't enough she accessorized it with matching platform heels, a Swarovski crystal cane and a zany headpiece containing bananas, eyeballs, and a fried egg charm dangling from one side. The whole look is just perfection and I wanna wear it everywhere.
Lizzo in Marc Jacobs. Lizzo is my new favorite artist that I just came across so of course when I saw her in this I was excited. She is wearing this pink marabous coat and pastel slip dress, which helped her channel the Shirley MacLaine in What a Way to Go!. Combined with just a with a touch of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' Marilyn Monroe to round out the look. That and the crystal-studded hands to her diamond headdress. I adore this look and she loved it so much that she wore to the airport for her flight. This is another one that I would wear just laying around the house.
Tracee Ellis Ross in Moschino. She wore this sleek black dress and added to the outfit, with a literal gold picture frame she held in front of her face while walking on the red carpet. This was inspired by how much black women have done for the camp look. There are several pictures I've come across other black women doing the same. I love it and adore her for doing it.
There were really a lot more looks that I adore but these were the ones I liked a little more and for my own sanity, I took a bunch out cause I really just overwhelmed myself with them all. Hence why it took so damn long to post this week. I spent a lot of time looking at details of the look and researching the theme cause I wanted to make sure I had all the information. There were a couple of looks I couldn't even find information on who designed it so I gave up and took them off.
What was your favorite look from the night? Tell me why? I wanna know.
