TMS Discussion: The Met Gala Needs an Overhaul

(Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic)

I’m not going to pretend I’m an expert on fashion history and trends. I know the basics for simple, minimal make-up and when you’re heading into clown territory with your face. For clothes, the general consensus is the 1960s-1970s are peak styling, while the late 1990s to early 2000s are the absolute worst. [As someone who actually lived in the latter, I can definitely agree with this]. I’ve always been vaguely aware the Met Gala is historically an exclusive fundraising event for NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, that’s also like a fancy party with A-listers endorsing fashion designers. Looking back at photos of the Gala from the 1970s-90s, the dresses and suits were pretty modest while still appearing fashionable. Even someone like Sarah Jessica Parker—who’s known for going all out and having fun with the event’s yearly dress themes—was fine rocking a cocktail dress in the mid-‘90s.

I don’t usually pay attention to the press surrounding the Met Gala every May, but I found myself sucked into the coverage this past week because a new favorite actress, Renate Reinsve, was attending; and I wanted to see how she would hold up opposite already established celebrities. Unfortunately, not only was Renate’s look inappropriate to this year’s theme [the gilded age], but the rest of the outfits and costumes present weren’t much better. Fashion legend Tom Ford got some attention recently for complaining about how the Gala now feels more like a Halloween costume party than an extravagant ball. I have to agree to an extent. I don’t mind big, elaborate costume-like dresses or tuxes—especially for televised ceremonies—but when most of the attendees look like they’re walking into the wrong party, it feels kind of useless. Celebs dressing off theme isn’t a new thing, but this year was as if the majority didn’t care or even knew what exactly the fashion during the gilded age looked like. Ironic since we have an HBO series on TV right now literally called “The Gilded Age.”

(Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images)

Honestly, even as an outside spectator, this year’s Met Gala felt cheap and even tacky a lot of the time. It was basically a movie premiere or awards ceremony, without any actual presentation. The lack of real superstars was also pretty telling. People like Taylor Swift, Zendaya and Beyoncé weren’t present at the event despite being known for eye-catching red carpet looks. Rihanna could have made this a fun, last pregnancy outing before giving birth, yet was MIA. Instead, we got primarily B-list music artists, network TV stars, social media influencers and Hollywood socialites. Vogue’s Anna Wintour is the organizer of the Met Gala these days, and I think her institution would benefit by putting more pressure on keeping to the dress code and tightening the guest list. If the org wants to continue coming across as ritzy, no more attention seekers with dubious claims of wearing a historic piece of clothing.

High-end fashion is supposed to be the image of class and glamour. But if the professionals aren’t even putting effort into their own big day, then what’s the point?