Even if the media is late with Met Gala content, there’s always something left to talk about. Also, there’ll be always a need to explain what is going on around the political statements that have been snuck into glamorous events such as those that revolve around fashion. Democratic representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s gown left everyone speechless, as she arrived at her first Met Gala event wearing a Brother Vellies white gown, engraved with a big red statement on the back that reads: “Tax The Rich”.
“The medium is the message”
It wasn’t just AOC, personalities such as Cara Delavigne, Megan Rapinoe, and Carolyn Maloney also joined the protest.
“Tax The Rich”
The Brother Vellies brand is known for its effort to take care of the traditions of African fashion and its techniques through a handmade and sustainable model.
Nothing was left untouched, the main goal was seizing the Met Gala’s media attention and she did it exceptionally, of course not without being criticized by doing so. AOC along with Aurora James decided to make the powerful statement just days after the approval of a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Ocasio-Cortez has been fighting against Joe Munchin, who tried to delay the project for months.
In 2019, AOC proposed to tax large fortunes by 70 percent, seeking to increase taxes on wealthy people in the United States. Her goal? To finance a Green New Deal. People pointed out discrepancies as AOC showed up to an event where an individual ticket costs around $35,000 and almost $200,000 per table, also, the fact she is a big luxury fashion consumer, might be the reason she was considered as a guest in this edition of the Met Gala.
“Peg the patriarchy”
Among the guests was also US Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, 75, wearing a dress as a reminder of the fight for women’s equality rights. Her gown reads “Equal Rights For Women”, as for her handbag engraved with “ERA YES”, referencing the amendment that advocates equal rights in the United States.
Even Cara Delevigne herself provoked criticism by using her Dior look to support women who fight for their rights, to overthrow the patriarchy of which they’ve been victims for years. She wore a bulletproof-like white vest with the message “Peg the patriarchy”. This way, calling to end said patriarchy a speech that she’s been supportive of throughout her career.
Megan Rapinoe, the emblematic soccer player of the United States, carried an also direct and non-stop message to those who are against the LGBTQ+ community, “In gay we trust” which accompanied the suit she wore in the colors of the American flag.
Images: EFE
This text was translated by Jimena Domínguez
