The Met Gala: A Fashion Circus We Can’t Look Away From
Another day, another reminder that our priorities are as skewed as the latest Met Gala outfits. When it comes to the glitzy fashion spectacle, it’s hard not to roll your eyes as the world’s elite parade around in outfits that scream, “Look at me while I ignore everything else going on!” If you thought things couldn’t get worse, just take a peek at the history of this event. From Rihanna’s jaw-dropping yellow cape in 2015 to the now-infamous meat dress donned by Lady Gaga in 2010, the Met Gala is the ultimate showcase of how far people will go for attention. And God forbid we forget A$AP Rocky’s plaid blanket ensemble from 2021, which left many wondering if he simply forgot his pants.
It’s almost predictable, really—each year, the themes become increasingly outrageous, and so do the outfits. The 2021 theme, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” was a perfect excuse for celebs to don the most confusing garb imaginable. But really, is anyone surprised? This annual cluster of couture has become a glaring metaphor for our society: absurd, over-the-top, and completely disconnected from reality.
However, it’s not all just a parade of bad decisions. The Met Gala does provide a glimpse into the art of fashion, for better or worse. Some might argue these looks are masterpieces, while others see them as the fashion world’s desperate cry for help. Just think about it—what does it say about us when we dedicate hours to dissecting an outfit that looks like a cross between a melted candle and a low-budget sci-fi costume? And yet, here we are, glued to our screens, dissecting every bead and feather as if it will help us make sense of the chaos around us.
Of course, this annual event is not without its controversies. Remember when celebrities like Kim Kardashian showed up wrapped in black fabric, leaving us to wonder if she was auditioning for the next “Gothic Ninja Warrior” series? Each outfit sparks debates over cultural appropriation, sustainability, and the sheer wealth disparity that this event exacerbates. Yet, somehow, we can’t look away, because what else are we to do when the world feels like it’s crumbling?
So, as the next Met Gala approaches, let’s all agree to act shocked when this spirals further out of control. Bookmark this for the inevitable “I told you so” moment, because if we’ve learned anything from past years, it’s that the only constant in life is our fascination with the absurd.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Buzzfeed, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
