“Fashion is a manifestation of human art and communication” George berges
What is the Met Gala?
The Met Gala is, without a doubt, the biggest annual event in the fashion industry, bringing together the largest collection the most famous individuals of the creative arts.
A place where the red carpet is a living museum and the fashion is the artwork displayed there. It costs a staggering $30,000 for a ticket to attend the Met Gala to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Institute of Costume and as such the Met Gala is one of its main sources of income.
Met Gala and its Connection to Art
The Met Gala is held in the Metropolitan museum in New York where it is surrounded by the artwork of famous artists like Alice Neel; it is a night where art comes to life on the canvas of celebrities. Fashion is no different from other forms of art.
Fashion designers painstakingly crafting their imagination, creativity, and expression into a materialistic visual form to be appreciated for their beauty. Fashion expresses itself through the vibrancy of colours and the complexities of designs. No different from a painting or a poem or a play.
Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Met Gala was cancelled. But fear not. With the roll out of numerous vaccines, the 2021 Met Gala may take place as things slowly return to normal. In the meantime, let’s look back at some of the top looks at the Met Gala 2019 and 2018 that solidifies fashion as an art form.
Met Gala 2019 – Camp: Notes on Fashion
Harry Styles in Gucci
An all-black jumpsuit with sheer sleeves; a more subtle camp than what was expected, but designer, Alessandro Michele, from Gucci and Harry Styles crafted this elegant look to express the feminine and masculine dimensions of camp fashion.
Dua Lipa in Versace
Atelier Versace’s psychedelic design with peacock colours expressed a vibrant energy, holding true to the theme of camp and that of singer’s, Dua Lipa, personality as well. Containing a surprise underneath, the outfit had same coloured stocking and heels encased in an open skirt and a beautifully embroidered bust to connect the top and bottom pieces.
Met Gala 2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and The Catholic Imagination
Zendaya in Versace with Tiffany & Co Jewellery
Inspired by a historical Catholic feminist icon, Joan of Arc, Zendaya’s metallic Versace dress was one of the most unique outfits to grace the Met Gala red carpet in 2018. Atelier Versace brilliantly captured the fierceness of Joan of Arc’s character through the dress by using an intricate design which highlighted the boldness of the armour like neck and shoulder pieces.
Chadwick Boseman in Versace
Heralded as “the new pope of Wakanda”;dressed head to toe in all white, and embellished with gold, Chadwick Boseman served looks in the incredible ensemble by Donatella Versace. The craftmanship and design definitely demonstrate how fashion is an art form, but this artwork could not have been completed without the King of Wakanda himself.
Fashion as an art form
Fashion displayed at the Met Gala should definitely be considered an art form as it is an expression of creativity which can convey messages and emotions through the use of symbolism just like other forms of art such as paintings and sculptures.
The Met Gala is an inspiration for many other fashion designers to create and establish their own art/fashion while also encouraging individuals to express themselves through their own fashion, what they wear and what they create, and become their own living artworks.
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