These People Actually Nailed The Met Gala Theme
"This year’s Met Gala theme must be the SHEIN age, not the Gilded Age."
The Met Gala has been and gone for another year, but the ‘Gilded Glamour’ theme has really shown us just how many celebrities can actually stick to a dress code.
The haute couture night of nights rolled back around on Tuesday morning AEST, a mere eight months after the COVID-delayed iteration last September. This year’s get-ups were meant to be inspired by the Gilded Age in US history between the late 1800s to early 1900s — think steam trains, rump silhouettes, eclectic prints, and frilly little hats.
But it turns out money can’t buy you style, or the ability to follow instructions. While the Met Gala is an opportunity for experimentation and creativity — especially expecting the unexpected — at a bare minimum, attendees should consider a loose interpretation in their picks, or even a respectful nod to the unifying theme.
this year’s met gala theme must be the shein age not the gilded age
— tori (@voguepearls) May 2, 2022
Many were quick to point out how lazy and bland many of the fits were, but thankfully, some A-Listers went so far above and beyond, that they carried the outliers on their coattails. Here are some of the best looks from people who not only understood the assignment, but actually delivered.
Representation Homage – Riz Ahmed
British actor Riz Ahmed dominated the red carpet with a strong message behind his outfit — a structured button down with hip waders — in honour of the people who built the foundation of the Gilded Age.
“Part of what I really value about this place are the waves of immigrants and workers that have kept this city running, whether it was before in the Gilded Age, or now in its new Gilded Age, or during the pandemic,” he said. “And so this is in many ways a bit of a love letter to those blue collar workers, those immigrant workers who keep the city running”.
Honourable Mentions: Native American model and activist Quannah Chasinghorse embraced her Hän Gwich’in and Oglala Lakota culture with her feathered braids and beaded jewellery to compliment her vibrant tulle dress.
The Ethiopian-Swedish chef behind the Met Gala feast Marcus Samuelsson and his wife Maya Haile coordinated with a black cape and gown fringed with Ethiopian prints and embroidery.
Top Hat Tuesday — David Harbour
The long-overdue fourth season of Stranger Things brings with it the return of David Harbour to the spotlight, who plays the grizzly chief of police Jim Hopper in the returning show. Like Hopper’s iconic campaign hat, Harbour rocked up with wife Lily Allen to present themselves as the most dapper couple at the Met Gala.
Armed with a cigar and cane, Harbour cosplayed a 19th-century man enjoying the new tall hat trend, recently imported from their former motherland over the waters. Good day, sir!
Honourable Mentions: LA Lakers star Russell Westbrook looked fly as fuck in his suit jacket and pleated kilt, to accompany his padded mini top hat. As GQ Sports commented on his fit check, “WHY NOT? 💥”
It makes sense for a milliner to embrace the top hat as well, and Stephen Jones delivered. The British designer rocked his shiny hat on a nice tilt in his white tie, walking alongside American journo Amy Fine Collins in a timeless sequin dress, matching chrome headpiece, and pearl drop earrings.
Corset, Corset — Paloma Elsesser
Plus-sized model Paloma Elsesser continues to take over the high fashion world, one corset at a time. Elsesser looked angel in a dainty lace skirt, paired with a soft white corset and garter, and pearl choker.
She was in the midst of the Miu Miu micro mini skirt phenomenon earlier this year, so the trendsetter might just throw corsets back into the public consciousness while she’s at it.
Honourable Mentions: The yin to Elsesser’s yang, fellow model Precious Lee donned a similar outfit in all black, with notes of gold. Her smokey eye was accentuated with bleached eyebrows — also seen on the red carpet by Kendall Jenner this year –and a skull cap top.
I don’t like having to discuss Ben Platt wherever possible, but his Met Gala look was delicate, dainty, and surprising from the often-memed actor. He played on the underbust corset trend that did the rounds last year with a half-corset on top of his suit, styled with a crossover baroque pearl necklace, matching earrings and rings, and some fierce coffin nails.
Futuristic Glamour — Janelle Monae
Always one to nail the theme on the head, singer-songwriter Janelle Monae stunned in a Ralph Lauren gown she described as “gilded glamour from the future”. Much like Lee, Monae also opted for a high-contrast hooded dress streaked with crystals.
The backless black number saw no frills or bows in sight, and leaned more into the glamour, interpreting the Gilded Age in a celestial space arena.
Honourable Mentions: Man-of-the-hour Fredrik Robertsson wowed on the red carpet, and the press mistook him for Jared Leto. The creative leant more into experimentalism and optical illusion with a spiky attire that resembled a cool, poisonous lionfish.
Theatre producer Jordan Rothe served puffy goth excellence in a spin of the tuxedo that dances the line between “masculine uniform to a feminine silhouette”. The white shirt underneath and accessorised bouffant is a nod to the theme that piles on his personal touch.
By The Book — Nicola Coughlan
Your Majesty, may we present Nicola Coughlan. The Bridgerton star dressed up exactly as Lady Whistledown would in a pink and black feathered gown with matching gloves.
The hit Netflix series inspired a lot of looks on the night — most notably Billie Eilish — but Coughlan went above and beyond in one of the best looks of the night. Her puffy sleeves and contrast bodice teeter a bit more into Victorian-era territory, but are balanced out by the simplicity of her hair and makeup — a far cry from Penelope’s usual curls.
Honourable Mentions: It ain’t my fault if Lizzo shone on the red carpet this Met Gala. Her regal embroidered gown was matched with a gold Ndebele-style choker, finger waves, and her forever plus-one, Sasha Flute.
A breakthrough belle of the ball on the night was former Miss NY USA and journalist, Genesis Suero, who went viral for hitting the theme on the head while looking like a real life Disney princess armed with a microphone.
With A Twist — Gemma Chan
If Mitski’s Be the Cowboy and the Gilded Age had a baby, it would look like Gemma Chan’s Met Gala look. The divisive dress confused many for its structural backside, when we know that the epoch actually favoured angularity that “one could set a tea service on top of the bustle“.
The classic split leg and cropped leather jacket brought modernity to the inspired outfit by Louis Vuitton. Yes, it’s in your face but it’s also daring and on theme. Good for you Gemma!
Honourable Mentions: Singer Teyana Taylor wowed in a tie-dye purple gown with inky streaks and subversive cutouts. Instead of the predominantly chromatic and metallic colour palettes, she leaned more into the rich hues of the Gilded Age and looked badass doing it.
White tie for the ladies, preached filmmaker and director Janicza Bravo. She wore her gold accented tux with platform sock loafers, bright eyeshadow, and an asymmetric headpiece that resembled a vinyl record bowl in the best way possible.
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images