Fashion’s Biggest night is here, the iconic Met Gala is upon us.
The Met Gala, or Met Ball, formally called the Costume Institute Gala or Costume Institute Benefit, is a fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City, held every first Monday of May, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The event is organized by the fashion magazine, Vogue.
Anna Wintour has been the editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1995 and has since been overseeing the benefit committee and guest list. With less than 1000 tickets sold, the spots at the gala have only gotten more expensive every year Individual tickets are priced at around $50,000 in order to keep the event exclusive.
I impatiently wait for Anna Wintor to release the theme and the guest list for her A-List annual party every year.
As much as I live for the amazing art that is produced on the carpet… I love the scandals more! The themes are often met with criticism of being tone deaf and there always seems to be celebrity drama leading up to the event.
In 2015, the Gala’s theme was originally named “Chinese Whispers: Tales of the East in Art, Film and Fashion” and was renamed to “China: Through the Looking Glass”. Critics claimed that the subtle name change was a nod to the institutionalized systemic racism that continues to suppress people of Asian descent. This went hand-in-hand with the public questioning if the event was allowing and encouraging cultural appropriation.
In 2018, the Gala’s theme was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”. Although the Church lent vestments from the Vatican, members of the church and critics claimed that the event, and people attending in costume, were making a mockery of serious Catholic symbolism. Rhianna faced controversy for her outfit, as she was dressed as the pope.
This year will be no exception in the pattern. The 2023 Met Gala theme is “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”. Karl Lagerfeld was the creative director of fashion houses, including Fendi, Chloe and Chanel. He re-energized Chanel and kept the brand relevant after the passing of CoCo Chanel.
Karl Lagerfeld was a fashion icon, a genius.
Karl Lagerfeld was not necessarily a good person.
Karl Lagerfeld had a tendency to offend people wherever he went, often making fat phobic, anti-gay, and misogynistic comments.
He has numerous statements on record presenting to be fat phobic including, “No one wants to see curvy women”, in German News Magazine Focus as well as quotes after saying the opposite. He co-wrote a diet book after losing 92 pounds in 13 months.
He was vocal about his opinions about same sex marriage, (specifically between two men). In an interview with Vice in 2010 he said, “For me it’s difficult to imagine- one of the papas at work and the other at home with the baby. How would that be, for the baby? I don’t know. I see more lesbians married with babies than I see boys married with babies”. He later said that he was “less than keen” on same sex couples being able to adopt.
At what point do we as the public separate the artist from their art? We give platforms to people that have talent. When the talent is undeniable, it is hard to accept it when its creator is questioned. It is the same conflict that fans of Kanye West or Chris Brown face. At what point do you take the platform away? Is it necessary to dedicate the biggest night in fashion to a person who did not support a large percentage of the fashion community? Why not choose a different artist?
Regardless of the answers to my questions, the night will move forward, the dresses will be beautiful, and a whole lot of money will be spent.