MET GALA FASHION REVIEW

MET GALA FASHION REVIEW 2018

The Met Gala is, to fashion, what the olympics is to sport, what tea is to British people, what facetune is to beauty gurus, an iconic pairing that anyone interested cannot afford to miss.
But why?
Put simply; star appeal and media coverage. The ball is an evening event, always set on the first Monday in May to raise money for the costume institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Sounds relatively basic and ordinary? think again. It is a heavily publicised event, and a ticket ensures your presence on the world stage for years to come. Ironically, the most iconic moment of the gala is the red carpet before the show, as the world press the morning after catalogue, in detail the outfits, body language and general celebrity star appeal of having dozens of high profile celebs all in one building at the same time. Ironically, and completely in keeping with current technology, the outfits are "memed" on social media the next day depending on how extreme they are.

Celebrities dress to a theme, and fashion journalists decode and scrutinise the smallest details in every ensemble. The smallest detail does not go unnoticed, and designers and celebrities plan months ahead to ensure perfection on the red carpet. This years theme is 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' according to Vogue.com and I can't help but wonder that it could be somewhat controversial, not to mention a PC headache for stylists and designers, who have to evaluate when cultural appropriation becomes racism. The theme, for those wondering, is repeated in a Met exhibition under the same name. I would love to see it! Religion played a large role in clothing many centuries ago, and I'm sure I would leave with some modern references as well.

The Gala is held inside the museum, guests see the exhibition prior to public release, and have a seated dinner. After some investigation, I discovered that a single ticket costs $30,000 whilst a table costs $275,000, according to The Huffington Post. It raises around $12.5 Million for the costume institute of the met every year, a staggering number that ensures the preservation of over 30,000 garments in the institute's archives. I believe that guests have been entertained in "The Charles Engelhard Court", as well as the iconic "Temple of Dendur" in The Sackler Wing, (that housed the ball in the film "Maid in Manhattan", if you didn't know) but the finer details are surprisingly covered up, considering the widespread coverage just metres outside on the red carpet.

The Charles Engelhard Court

Temple of Dendur

These are both rooms I had the privilege of visiting last April when I went to New York, I must say it was extremely exciting walking in a room where Rihanna, Blake lively or Anna Wintour had once walked, donned in fabulous couture!


This year will, I'm sure, not be without drama. Last year, guests were told off for smoking in the met toilets, and Kanye West famously turned down his invitation... get ready to experience the chaos.

MET GALA FASHION REVIEW 2018

A night ago, celebrities walked the red (well, cream) carpet outside the museum. I woke up yesterday and checked instagram, it was flooded with pictures of the stars in all their finery. Some were shocking, some were plain, and some were flat out sinners. Here are my thoughts.

(pictures from vogue.com)

RIHANNA

For this look, Rihanna wore Maison Margiela by John Galliano, and I feel its not really a surprise for both the designer and for her. Galliano is famous for his bold, daring and shocking designs (see his time at the house of Christian Dior in the early 2000s) and this one certainly lives up to expectation. Dressed like the Pope, Rihanna, as usual pushed every boundary. The heavily decorated fabric, encrusted with pearls and black stones juxtapose each other, relaying this un-simple look. louboutins on foot, an obvious red flick to perfectly comlpiment the look, and certainly not take away from it. Favourite piece: That hat

Rating: 9.5/10

KYLIE JENNER

Kylie, in a word, disappointed. This is the Met Gala, and I feel her look didn't reference the theme closely enough for my liking. I feel it's something she would wear (sans train) in calabasis, not on the red carpet, and so we have to assume she does not fully value her space on the carpet enough. However, Kylie gave birth only a few months ago, and therefore i feel she most likely didn't plan this outfit with her fullest attention, so she is let off!

Favourite part: the fact that Travis Scott by her side

Rating: 2/10

KENDALL JENNER

Another disappointing Kar/Jenner sister. WHAT is this look? and why is it so boring? The theme was 

“Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” so why does she look so unenthused, as if she thought, "oh no, gotta run and get my met outfit from the H and M basic line" (no shade to H and M, just not Met appropriate in this plain form, loved what they did for Nikki Minaj last year as it was a silhouette perfect for the Met) This "off white" ensemble was just too plain, and lacklustre. *yawns*

fave part: the hair and Tiffany jewels 

rating: 2/10

Alessandro Michele, Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto.

We LOVE this look! all three of them are addressing the theme and totally rocking it! I love the use of blue, not too much but enough to make a statement. The embroidery is heavenly and it is certainly met gala appropriate.

Fave part; the headpieces

Rating 8/10

BLAKE LIVELY

Blake did not disappoint this year, and I was somewhat surprised that she went sooo over the top, as in recent years she has been somewhat plainer, and less dramatic. Her gown is dramatic and detailed but, it could have had a touch more theme to it, but its still a very strong outfit. The rich red compliments the silver embroidery and looks stunning together. Ironically, she sorta matches the red carpet!

favourite part; the embroidered bodice

Rating; 7.5/10

Shawn Mendes and Hailey Baldwin

Oh dear! another red carpet FAIL. Haley looks sunning, but the dress does not stand out or adhere to the theme enough in my opinion. The headpiece is a touch at the theme, it resembles a "heavenly" assesory, but it cannot make up for the disaster underneath. Shawn, again has missed the mark. His attempt at catholic influence is the red colour of his suit. It starts and finishes there i'm afraid. 

Favourite part: Her headpiece

Rating 3/10

Zendaya

Zen-slayer! this metallic look is, I believe inspired by Joan of Arc, and I love it. Its young and edgy, but adheres to the theme perfectly. Her red cropped hair looks somewhat medieval, and ads a nice touch to a themed look. Its an all round goodie. I love how it follows the theme, but is full of imagination and is not just redesigned clergy clothing.

Favourite part: the metallic shoulder armour.

Rating; 9.5/10

Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian.

These were the strongest looks from the most famous family in America, which, as I hope you can tell, has annoyed me. The top of Kris' look is very strong, and had that theme been carried down the dress it would have been great, but the bottom does let it down. Feathers are a luxurious touch, but I don't see the immediate connection to the Church. Kim has taken a body-con silhouette she wears regularly (or, not as she has proved on the release of her new perfume) and shoved two crosses on it, in a bid to fool those analysing her looks. Its not working for me I'm afraid. It could have been made better by adding a little veil or train, adding drama and then it would have been Met appropriate. 

fave part: Kris's embroidered bodice

Rating 4/10

Cardi B and Jeremy Scott.

Hands down the Met winners! They took the theme, identified what makes it stand out, and applied it to an existing silhouette that's innovative and not a rehash of period costume. The embroidery is gorgeous, her headpiece is themed but not copied, and Jeremy's look looks unsettlingly modern but old at the same time. A standout winner. Jeremy Scott is known for his bold looks, and I think this look really shows his prowess as a designer, he can cover a multitude of themes and do it with ease and finesse.

Favourite part: the fact that Cardi is PREGNANT and still looks sooooo B.O.M.B

Rating; 10/10

So, there we have it, the 2018 Met Gala. what did you think of the looks? comment below or contact me on instagram (@planetstevens) !