Every year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art throws a mega lavish bash called the Met Gala, fundamentally an elaborate fundraising event for the museum's Costume Institute. For 2021, a year after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a cancellation, the Met Gala made a riotous return, condensing the bustle and energy of the fashion world into a single unforgettable evening.
The Met Gala 2021 theme was "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion." Set up to celebrate the American fashion, it was an invitation for guests to channel their most daring and innovative interpretations of home-grown style, right from the contemporary labels to the historical influences. The result was a cross-pollination of cultures, ideas, and influences materialized into extravagant & thought-provoking ensembles.
The night was an astounding fashion spectacle teeming with celebrities donning breathtaking haute couture. From gender-bending gowns like Elliot Page's classic Balenciaga suit to daring oddities like Kim Kardashian's full-body Balenciaga incognito look. Billie Eilish captured the glamour of old Hollywood in her peach Oscar De La Renta tulle, while Iman Abdulmajid was unmissable in her sunburst Harris Reed ensemble.
One conspicuous name from the evening was sports-entertainment's Big Dog, Roman Reigns. Many wondered what brought WWE's Universal Champion to an event celebrating fashion. Reigns attended the Gala in his capacity as an ambassador for the Connor's Cure charity foundation. Swapping his signature wrestling attire for a custom-made suit by David August Heil, he represented a blend of fashion with a cause, echoing the event's focus on diversity and inclusion.
Roman Reign's Met Gala appearance has not only solidified his status as a pop culture influencer but also underscored the evolution of sports-entertainment, showcasing its impact on wider aspects of entertainment and fashion.
The Met Gala has always been as much about social commentary as it's about fashion, and this year was no different. This year’s event had a glaring focus on diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Lil Nas X utilized his platform to make a statement on the evolving interpretation of masculinity in fashion. His three-layer Versace look, starting from a royal cloaked outfit to a golden suit of armor, and finally a slinky Bodysuit, delivered a spectacular narrative of transformation and individuality.
With a message of "Tax the Rich" emblazoned on her dress, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used fashion to critique the economic disparities in the US. Her brother in arms, Carolyn Maloney, joined the cause with a dress advocating women’s rights and equal pay. These bold political statements stirred discussions amplifying the causes espoused by the two congresswomen.
The Met Gala 2021 was also a platform for eco-conscious designs. Stella McCartney dressed Paris Jackson in a sustainable vegan leather dress, with the latter using her appearance to send out pleas for protecting Mother Nature.
The Met Gala 2021 was an alchemy of fashion, society, and cultural commentaries. Its collision of identities, personalities, and issues lent it an unprecedented emotion, depth, and complexity, far beyond just a constellation of stars and their fantastic outfits. It reflected the American society and its sartorial expression in all its plurality and glory.
