Fashion’s biggest night out made a return last night and as expected, the stars came out to play. One of the reasons, apart from the star power, that the MET Gala has become one of the most anticipated fashion events of the year is the theme. The theme gives the Anna Wintour selected attendees the chance to show up and show out with their own interpretation of the year’s theme. The theme also makes it easier to judge who slew and who deserves shade because context right?
Wrong. The theme of this year, “Camp: Notes On Fashion” was both rather easy to nail but also near impossible to dress appropriately for. Why? Let’s begin with the origin of the theme. I am pretty sure even your favourite Instagram fashionista had to google where Ms. Wintour and her team got the inspiration for this year. The term ‘Camp’ comes from Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay where she defines Camp as love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.”
While Sontag’s definition does seem straightforward, it still remains pretty broad and vague at the same time. For the purpose of fashion novice understanding, I’ll define camp as anything that’s not natural (odd), theatrical (dramatic) and exaggerated (larger than life). With all that out of the way, let’s get on to the fashion shall we?
Let’s begin with the best looks.
Lady Gaga
Gaga was able to flawlessly fit every one of my campy definitions with not one, but four Brandon Maxwell looks! Granted the fact that Lady Gaga did become a household name because of her eccentric and campy disposition, this was almost a no brainer but still we stan.
Harry Styles
Harry’s look was heavy on the odd for me but he made it work. His androgynous look was weird enough to be campy but still calm enough to retain Harry’s non MET Gala persona. It was definitely one of my favourite looks of the night.
Billy Porter
No much story here. Your favs could never.
Celine Dion
Celine’s banging body came all the way through in the sparkling glory that was her MET gala costume. It was definitely bigger than life but it felt natural and easy at the same time.
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra
It should be illegal to be this stunning but yet, here we are.
Cardi B
I really can’t say that I am surprised that Cardi knocked this out of the park. I mean her name is Cardi B, if that isn’t campy, please what else is?
Jared Leto
Creepy but checks out all the boxes. Again, not surprised that Leto nailed this because anyone who has followed his career knows that theatrical and odd are his family members.
Ezra Miller
If you’re like me, the MET is probably the first time you’ve heard or seen Mr. Miller. But my lord, what an introduction! Artistic, conceptual and right on the money, Mr. Miller deserves a round of applause or two.
Janelle Monae
Janelle has never met a theme she did not slay and we will never deserve her.
Omari Hardwick
After disrespecting Queen Bey, the least he could do was come correct. Good thing he did too because I was ready for him. Ready!
Gigi Hadid
I am surprised this look did not get more stans. Gigi can do no wrong and for that, we are grateful.
Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union
Definitely my favourite couple look of the night and not without reason. A very cool and ‘black’ take on the theme that deserves to be framed.
Ms. Coleman stuck to the theatrical side of things and man did she not disappoint! The amount of creativity and man hours put into this look is a level all its own.
Rihanna’s Absence!
Let’s be honest…
The Worst Looks
Ashley Graham
There is campy and there is trashy. Whoever styled Ashley Graham had a personal vendetta against her and you can tell me no different.
Hamish Bowles
One of the classic cases of ‘how could you mess up such an easy theme?’
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita is the queen of my multiverse so this was hard for me. Yes it was theatrical, it was definitely odd and way over the top. However, it was far from flattering so its a no from this side.
Every Jenner and Kardashian
Don’t get me started. If the theme was lazy, tired, unoriginal and boring, then we know who our queens are. Till that becomes the theme though, can they just pass on the invite?
Lena Waithe
The theme was campy, not tacky. Next!
Yara Shahidi
Who did this to my baby? I need answers!
Ciara
It feels like a classic case of great look, wrong theme which is weird because the theme is so broad. Catch ‘em next time Cici.
Miley Cyrus and Hailey Bieber
Grouped these two together because this amount of blatant disregard does not deserve any of my keyboard time.
Katy Perry
Her first look was very borderline but the second look fell way into the deep end of ugly and cartoonish.
Mindy Kailing
Great concept but the execution was not only terrible but also unflattering. I hope she didn’t pay her tailor the complete fee because …
