The annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit, or more commonly known as the Met Gala, is one of those events that always get a ton of buzz every time it happens. The thing is, not many know what it’s about. It’s easy to dismiss it as the usual star-studded affair where Rihanna either comes out fashionably on-fleek or debuts in outfits that start memes.
The Met Gala is a black-tie event held yearly to raise money for the Costume Institute, the only department in the museum that funds itself. A single theme is celebrated each year, usually in honor of art movements, distinguished periods in history, and great minds. Ever since Vogue editor Anna Wintour took over as the chairwoman of the gala in 1999, the benefit has slowly made a name for itself as the ‘it’ shindig to attend. Only the most important and relevant personalities in Hollywood and the world over get the ever-elusive invite to it.
This year, the Met Gala is all about respect for Comme des Garçons’ designer Rei Kawakubo and her deviant artistry. She has helped elevate fashion into an art that represents and defines.
So who did her—and the Gala—justice? Here are my picks.
The best dressed
Rihanna, in her avant-garde Comme des Garçons number obviously wins. Not only did she pay lip service to the designer, she has consistently been more conscious to showcase the work she’s wearing. For years now, RiRi has never let any insecurity—if she even had any!—keep her from wearing the craziest garb the Gala and the world have seen.
Credits to Rob Latour: Shutterstock
Bella Hadid also makes it to my favorites. Donning a sheer, sparkly bodysuit by Alexander Wang, she exudes elegant minimalism and cheeky daring. Vogue reports that she even cut her hair into a bob to mimic Rei’s.
Credits to David Fisher : Shutterstock
After her controversial Pepsi ad, Kendall Jenner comes out strong in a risqué Julia Haart dress. Made with 85,000 crystals and just thread, the number wraps around Kendall in a sensual yet tasteful fashion that will keep you looking.
The worst dressed
The ones that disappointed me are those outfits that do not seem to keep up with the “artsiness” of the event and celebrate the designer.
Jennifer Lopez, while looking stunning (if we’re only talking about appearances here), is among my worst-dressed. Her flowy powder blue Valentino Gown goes against the theme as she channels old Hollywood and brings the attention to herself.
Same goes with Selena Gomez. Her Coach summery number may have been a nice complement to her beau The Weeknd’s suit and tie, but it also screams prom-esque in a formal event that aims to exalt an artist rather than showcase the self.
