Often referred to as fashion’s biggest night of the year, I, as well as many other viewers, felt surprisingly underwhelmed and unsatisfied with the celebrities’ fashion choices.
With the first Monday of May comes the year’s annual Met Gala, a traditional charity fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Held in Manhattan, the gala draws in high profile celebrities as well as world renowned fashion designers each year. This year’s spring exhibition is titled “Costume Art,” and the dress code for the gala was titled “Fashion is Art,” focusing on the connection between clothing and the canvas of a human body. Previous themes include “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” from 2025 and “Sleeping Beauties: Awakening Fashion” from 2024, both of which featured a generous amount of exquisite, thoughtfully chosen attires. Unfortunately, they contrast greatly with the majority of the looks this year.
Something I was not expecting were the lackluster, all-too-simplistic looks many celebrities chose. For example, actor Connor Storrie sported an all-black Saint Laurent piece that hardly felt unique or had any significance besides it being designer. Because the theme was “Fashion is Art,” it isn’t justifiable to show up to the Met with something that could be worn to any other event throughout the year. While Storrie’s outfit was conventionally attractive and chic, it didn’t have the “breath-taking” component of what makes the Met Gala so notable.
Similarly, actress Blake Lively’s pastel Versace gown, made with a 13-foot fabric train and a gemstone embroidered bodice, felt like a rinse-and-repeat of her previous Met Gala looks. Of course, the dress is picturesque and looks fit for a princess, but it lacked originality and felt extremely bland to wear to such an event.
Rapper Doja Cat wore a monochrome, nude-colored silicone dress which lacked creativity and detail, especially for someone who is usually so expressive with how she presents herself.
Influencer Kim Kardashian donned a tacky, orange breastplate that flowed into a leather skirt, and although the goal was to capture the sculpted form of a human body, it looked lazy and tasteless. Former basketball player Dwyane Wade who had on a simple tuxedo vest and black trousers echoed this inauthenticity, once again following the designer-reliant path.
Many other celebrities took the same approach with their outfits, purely relying on brand-name pieces to make up for their fulfillment of the theme. Although art doesn’t have to be lavish to get a message across, the Met Gala is known for its unique and diverse looks. For so many celebrities to take the laid-back route, it felt unfashionable.
On the flip side, there were thankfully a handful of celebrities dressed to the nines that embodied the “Fashion is Art” theme to perfection, absolutely representing what it means to go all out for the Met Gala.
Influencer Emma Chamberlain stole the spotlight with her beautiful Van Gogh inspired, hand-painted Mugler gown. This look was brought to life from the 40 hours of painting it took and the stunning “dripping” look of the dress. It really fits the “Fashion is Art” criteria as she quite literally took on the role of a painting, which Vogue described as reminiscent of her affection towards watercolor painting, setting the bar high for the rest of the attendees.
Singer Sabrina Carpenter’s look was refreshing, unique and the definition of art. Featuring a dress purely made of film strips from Audrey Hepburn’s 1954 “Sabrina” film, I was surprised to see how literal Carpenter took the dress code. Understanding that film is a form of art, it makes sense that Carpenter chose this look and helps viewers understand the perspective of mixed media and its nostalgic presence in this case. Although I personally don’t find the dress “pretty,” I think it sets a good example of how art does not always have to be visually attractive to communicate its message.
Artist Bad Bunny, who masked himself in prosthetic wrinkles and gray hair resembled the 85-year-old version of himself. Stated by a plaque in the exhibition catalogue, he presented a captivating take on the concept of art which noted the beauty of aging.
“Perhaps reflecting our fear of having to face our own mortality, the youth-oriented fashion industry has traditionally ignored the aged body,” said Bad Bunny.
With a few other outstanding examples such as television host Heidi Klum’s marble statue masterpiece, singer Beyoncé’s bejeweled skeletal gown and artist SZA’s eccentric butterfly dress, it is assuring to know that the Met Gala has at least a few celebrities it can count on to support such a famed event.
Overall, the Met Gala is an occasion meant for embracing imagination and creating a memorable look that people will remember. Although this year’s gala only featured a select number of thoughtful looks that met expectations, with vast feedback from viewers and reporters, I’m hopeful attendees will step up their game next year and truly leave an imprint on Met Gala’s legacy.
