Online spectators watched as the celebrities dressed in the top couture ascended the stairs of the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
At 8 p.m. EST on May 5 the famous Met Gala carpet was host to a collection of diversified styles.
As reported by Vouge, “The Met Gala is a charity event and fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. It has traditionally been timed to mark the opening of the department’s annual fashion exhibition. ”
This year’s theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which highlights the history of Black style and dandyism, as explained by CBS News.
The event often draws the attention of many fashionistas as they admire the looks on the carpet.
Esther Glazer, a senior who is attending the Parsons School of Design in the fall, enjoyed the expression of this year’s theme on the carpet.
“The theme has such a rich history, so it was interesting to see how designers incorporated that into their designs. It was definitely an important message for the Gala and raised a record-breaking amount of money for the costume institute,” she said.
According to The New York Times, this year’s Met Gala raised a record-breaking $31 million.
Zh’ky Johnson-Tuzo, a junior from Bermuda, believes this year’s theme was monumental as it highlighted a deeper meaning he felt was important to recognize.
“This theme shines light on black culture and a part of the culture that had been overlooked,” he said. “It’s good to see everyone who came out to represent this and who came to appreciate such a huge moment in one of the most important nights of fashion.”
Zh’ky feels Teyana Taylor wore one of the most on theme outfits.
He explains that the elements of the look including the color, the tailoring, the draping, and the story behind it, is what made him believe she was so on theme.
Alexis Caines, a 2023 Williston alumna, shares a liking for Taylor’s look noting how specific details related to the theme.
“She highlighted her own music with the embroidery on her cape, which I thought was perfect for the ‘Tailored to You’ portion of the theme,” she said. “Her suit had gorgeous details featured throughout that had bits of history. She just really was just tens across the board for me.”
Taylor’s designer, Ruth E. Carter, dressed her in an extravagantly detailed burgundy Zoot Suit including feathers; crystals; chains; and most meaningfully, embroidering reading “Rose in Harlem,” the name of a song released by Taylor in 2018.
Zoot suits, according to the Smithsonian magazine, originated in the 1930s in Harlem dance halls. They are defined by their “super sized shoulder pads, sprawling lapels, and peg leg pants.”
Esther also enjoyed Taylor’s look and adds that Colman Domingo in Valentino was also on theme.
Domingo was a co-chair at this year’s Met Gala along with Anna Wintour, A$Ap Rocky, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams, and honorary co-chair Lebron James.
Domingo’s designer, Wayman Bannerman, decided to “focus on the history of the Moors, specifically their influence on the Harlem Renaissance,” as explained by Variety.
As Micah McDonald, the styling partner of Bannerman explains, Domingo wore two layers. One a “brilliant brocade embellished collar with this overcoat layer” which was more a tribute to the Moors, and the layer under the coat revealing honor to the Harlem Renaissance.
Alexis elaborates even farther on the significance of Domingo’s outfit.
“His outfit paid homage to former Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley,” she said.
Alexis also points to an important statement made by Domingo on Vouge‘s live stream.
“[We found] a free slave wanted to wear his finest blue, superfine wool suit. It gives you choir, it gives you king, all those moments,” Domingo said.
In additional to co-chair Domingo, Zh’ky feels co-chair Pharrell Williams also matched the theme.
Williams, the creative director of Louis Vuitton, wore a Louis Vuitton suit with a pinstripe blazer covered in pearls, a white button-down, black tie, and black flared pants. The most notable part of his ensemble was his “gold grill,” which was actually his Invisalign.
In a conversation with Vogue, Williams said, “To me, dandyism is about intentionality—a sport of getting dressed.”
He said his looked commented on this year’s theme by using styling as a “form of self-expression and freedom.”
Zh’ky and Esther both expressed disappointment and confusion in how Maya Hawke was dressed.
Maya Hawke wore a peach Prada dress with a long mesh cape. Many have expressed opinions on how the ensemble does not relate to the theme.
Alexis believes football quarterback Joe burrow’s ensemble was also a letdown.
“I thought Joe Burrow’s look was extremely underwhelming and while maybe he could’ve been on theme, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for something he’d show up to any event in which is what made it a major flop for me,” she said.
Burrow wore a blue-gray suit and a pair of Gucci sneakers. Critiques have said the outfit feels too relaxed and doesn’t make a bold enough statement that many people expect at the Gala.
As for future themes, Zh’ky would like to see a theme focused on the environment.
“In the future I’d like to see maybe something like sustainable couture, where designers are tasked with creating jaw-dropping looks using upcycled, biodegradable, or plant-based materials,” he said.
