Met Gala 2021: The Pillars of American History
by Javier Gomez, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
by Javier Gomez, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
The Met Gala is fashion’s BIGGEST night. Typically held on the first Monday in May, this star-studded event highlights designers from all around the world; however, due to COVID-19, the event was postponed and coincidentally fell right in the middle of fashion month, September 2021. American designers were given the spotlight that night.
Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Gala has become an annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute, a permanent exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met).. The Gala, this year, was in celebration of the Costume’s Institute’s newest exhibition “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” which opened to the public in the Anna Wintour Costume Center on September 18th.
Many celebrities pulled show-stopping looks, while others…well…fumbled. From all of the countless looks, there are those that spotlight the most symbolic of American democracy/history. From political to avant-garde statement pieces, I present to you my coverage of this year’s Met Gala!
Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Gala has become an annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute, a permanent exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met).. The Gala, this year, was in celebration of the Costume’s Institute’s newest exhibition “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” which opened to the public in the Anna Wintour Costume Center on September 18th.
Many celebrities pulled show-stopping looks, while others…well…fumbled. From all of the countless looks, there are those that spotlight the most symbolic of American democracy/history. From political to avant-garde statement pieces, I present to you my coverage of this year’s Met Gala!
Dan Levy wearing custom Jonathan Anderson and Cartier for the Met Gala 2021
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Schitt’s Creek star, Dan Levy, collaborated with Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson and Cartier to create this metamorphic, yet politically powerful look.
When the Met Gala theme was announced, my first thought was: political statements. Unfortunately, no one brought it except a few, one of them being, 38-year-old multi-hyphenate, Dan Levy. Levy’s Instagram explained that he was “Inspired by The Costume Institute’s “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibit and the gala’s theme. Levy worked with Anderson to create a powerful ensemble that celebrates “the resilience and the love and the joy” of the LGBTQ+ community.” The Independent describes this look as “comprised of pastel blue, pink and green shades, dramatic puffed sleeves, a world map print, beading and an hand-embroidered portrait of a queer couple kissing in the centre of his chest.” This piece resonated close to home as it dealt deeply with the LGBTQ+ community and its crisis regarding the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. Where from? Anderson was inspired by American Artist and AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz, “whose work confronted the systematic oppression of gays, while shedding a harsh light on the abandonment the community experienced during the peak of the AIDS crisis.” Adapting two of Wojnarowicz’s famed works, “F*** You Fa***t F****r, 1984 and Untitled One Day This Kid…, 1990–91, Levy and Anderson hoped to portray the artist’s themes of celebrating queer love and visibility while provoking more radical change. |
Levy, in an Insta post said it best: “Tonight, we’re celebrating the resilience, the love, and the joy of the community while honoring a crucial American voice that was taken from us too soon.”
As a queer, aspiring designer, this look to me was on multiple levels. Many believed it was too busy, but I thought it was perfect. As someone who sees their work to be a punch in the status quo’s face, I was inspired. Social activism and fashion are compatible duos that need more attention, both in the industry and the world.
To Levy I say, CHEERS!
As a queer, aspiring designer, this look to me was on multiple levels. Many believed it was too busy, but I thought it was perfect. As someone who sees their work to be a punch in the status quo’s face, I was inspired. Social activism and fashion are compatible duos that need more attention, both in the industry and the world.
To Levy I say, CHEERS!
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The Met Gala’s ivory-colored carpet was filled with fashion statements from renowned to local American designers in dedication to this year’s theme: “In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion.” As many celebrities entered the vicinity dressed up in “high-end designer garbs”, the primary focus was on how well many followed the theme(and how they interpreted it).
Broadway actor Jeremy Pope, who also had a prominent guest role on the final season of FX series Pose, used the opportunity to remind not only the fashion industry, but the world, that America’s anatomy was built on the backs of enslaved Black people. The Root praises Pope’s “all-white ensemble [as] a tribute to the legacy of enslaved and exploited African Americans and the ever-lucrative cultivation of cotton on the country’s soil—the foundation of the same fashion industry being celebrated on Monday night.” Working on the collaborative effort with stylist Juliann McCandless, Pope wore “a custom all-white compact cotton jacket and pants set by Australian designer Dion Lee, cotton boutonniere flower by Denim Tears, white Tabi Boots by Maison Margiela, and an eye-grabbing cotton Broadcloth Picking Sack by designer James Flemons of Phlemuns that made for the standout final touch," according to The BlackPrint. Pick sacks were deep cloth bags suspended from Black men and women’s shoulders which they dragged through cotton rows, picking cotton by hand. |
Jeremy Pope in custom Dion Lee for the Met Gala 2021
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Black America Web said it best: “Nothing about that sounds fashion-forward in the least bit, but a Black man being able to dress freely in 2021 as a way to bring their struggle to the forefront of fashion’s elite is more powerful than words can say.”
It was essential for Pope to unveil this poignant statement piece as it reminded those at the Gala that America’s treacherous history of enslavement, racial terrorism, and Jim Crow 2.0 is a permanent stain that cannot and should not be ignored, no matter how beauteous the facade of fancy clothes and abodes may be.
It was essential for Pope to unveil this poignant statement piece as it reminded those at the Gala that America’s treacherous history of enslavement, racial terrorism, and Jim Crow 2.0 is a permanent stain that cannot and should not be ignored, no matter how beauteous the facade of fancy clothes and abodes may be.
Naomi Osaka in custom Louis Vuitton for the Met Gala 2021
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One of the most pulchritudinous things about America is its cultural melting pot. When the theme was first announced, I expected a plethora of cultural statements. And fortunately, Naomi brought it.
The tennis star was one of this year’s co-chairs, along with Gen-Z stars Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, and extraordinaire poet Amanda Goreman. It’s not surprising that her outfit was the boldest and most thrilling style statement yet. Vogue describes the signature piece: “The custom corseted dress in a colorful, graphic jacquard—topped with a silk-mix cape featuring 22 ruffles, 18 meters of leather satin, and a 50-meter silk hem—was impressive on its own, but the underlying message of the print that covers the bustier and skirt was what hit closest to home for Osaka.” She paired the ensemble with a bright red obi belt which tipped a hat to Japan, while the bold shades brought to mind the Caribbean island of her ancestors. Aside from this immaculate centerpiece, Osaka rocked an embellished, sculptural up-do and candescent rogue makeup. Explaining the inspiration, Vogue continues, “Enlisting the French house’s creative director, Nicolas Ghesquiere, as well as her sister, artist and designer Mari Osaka, to design her look, Naomi told ‘red carpet’ host Keke Palmer that she ultimately wanted something that reflected her roots.” Learning about the look, I immediately fell in love with it. The intersection between her Haitian and Japanese culture exemplified this spirit of “cultural cross-pollination” that made this look proper not just for Osaka, but for a night that commemorates the rich, opulent diversity of communities that made American fashion something to be memorialized. |
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Actress, model, and daughter of Cindy Crawford, Kaia is no stranger to a red carpet/catwalk. The model marked a milestone that’s been years overdue: the supermodel attended her first Gala; a ceremonial event(a you made it woohoo, if you will)
The look was one of my favorites of the night; not just because it exudes pure elegance, but because of the judicious reference. Her ensemble paid tribute to one of the country’s most influential style icons and socialites of the last century: Bianca Jagger Detailed by Grazia Magazine: “Gerber continued the Old Hollywood glamour through her hair and makeup, with glossy, side-parted finger waves shaped by legendary hairstylist Guido Palau. Makeup artist Nina Park kept Gerber’s face natural, with nude lipstick, Bambi lashes and groomed arches.” It was BRAVA for sure! While Jagger’s original Halston look—which she wore to the 1981 Met Gala event—featured near-identical similarities, Gerber interpretation of the strapless gown was much more prerogative, featuring a flash of bare skin. One of the things that I loved especially most about this art piece was the homage made to classic movie stars in the 50s and 60s. It was really was old hollywood GLAMOURRR, darling! This arresting black ball gown with a corseted bodice and a full floor-length skirt was so incredibly well-constructed. Oscar De La Renta really hit the nail with the sophisticated Old Hollywood nods, especially seen with Billie Eilish’s Marliyn Monroe inspired peach/nude GAG-WORTHY gown. |
Kaia Gerber in custom Oscar de la Renta for the Met Gala 2021
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Well it was fun darlings! This Met Gala did not exceed much of my expectations, but I’m happy that some were able to really commemorate the theme. Thank you for reading up on the latest fashion trends and joining me on this segment I’ll call, Alta Moda! Do we like it, ehhh? Well, until next time, my loves! Javi, OUT!
