New York City, US, Sept. 13 (EFE).- Celebrities paid tribute to the United States on Monday during the return of the Met Gala in New York City with the colors of the American flag, iconic fabrics such as denim, patriotic creations by designers and expressions of multiculturalism. The gala, an annual fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art held on the first Monday in May, was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic and postponed this year to September to coincide with the end of New York Fashion Week.
The event’s dress code is inspired by the theme of the year’s annual fashion exhibit curated by the Costume Institute, the museum’s fashion department, and this year was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” The event kicked off in true American style, with a marching band, whose members dressed in red, white, and blue tracksuits took over the white – not the usual red – carpet.
Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, who organizes the gala, which was live-streamed for the first time, arrived early and told media that the Met’s exhibition is “very diverse, it’s very inclusive, very sustainable” and “symbolizes that America is made up of so many different cultures.”
Tennis player Naomi Osaka, one of the hosts of the event, wore a Louis Vuitton gown that drew inspiration from her Haitian and Japanese roots, while the lead singer of Blondie, Debbie Harry, wore a hoop skirt of red and white stripes with a blue denim jacket.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian wore a head-to-toe black ensemble by Balenciaga creative director Demna Gvasalia in contrast to her stepsister, Kendall Jenner, who opted for a sheer, jeweled dress.
In her first appearance at the event, Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore a white gown by Brother Vellies with the political slogan “Tax the Rich” splashed across the back in red lettering.
Meanwhile, rapper Lil Nas X pulled a Lady Gaga with three outfits, arriving on the carpet in a gold velvet cape, which he removed to reveal a golden suit of armor. He then shed that to reveal a sparkly bodysuit.
Singer Billie Eilish also ditched her signature punk style for a nude tulle Oscar de la Renta princess dress with hair styled in a Marilyn Monroe-like bob.
“I feel like I’ve grown so much in the last few years. I’ve always wanted to do this but I was just scared and I didn’t feel comfortable in my skin and I feel like I finally [do],” Eilish said.
Jennifer Lopez, who arrived without Ben Affleck but then met him later, walked the carpet in a Western look by Ralph Lauren that included a custom embroidered long black split-thigh dress styled with a faux fur cape, a choker, and a cowgirl hat.
Musical couple Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes arrived in Studio 54-esque looks by Michael Kors, and Spanish singer Rosalia was striking in a voluminous fringed leather cape by Rick Owens.
Text and images courtesy of EFE
