Favorite MET Gala 2021 Looks

Image Courtesy Google Images

Two of the most popular entertainment events occurred this past week – the VMAs and the MET Gala. I would love to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the VMAs, but that would be a lie. If I’m being honest, I think I was mildly impressed by maybe two or three performances. I may officially no longer be cool enough to appreciate the VMAs. Well, that or most of the current artists suck. You be the judge.

Whatever the case may be, it’s the reason this post will focus solely on the MET Gala and not both events. I can’t say I was as wowed by this year’s looks as I’ve been with previous years. Now in fairness, that may be because I didn’t think the theme itself – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion (or American Independence, depending on which publication is your reference point) – was particularly exciting.

However, there were still a few standout moments. And it was nice to see the live return of one of the most outrageous and fun red carpet events. Without further ado, here are my top picks for this year’s Met Gala.

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Debbie Harry in Zac Posen – Yes, the use of the American flag imagery was a little on the nose. But damn if she didn’t wear it well. And can we talk about how freaking amazing Debbie Harry looks at 76 years old? Truly a standout look of the night.

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Billie Eilish in Oscar de la Renta – I loved the playful ode to Marilyn Monroe. It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of Billie Eilish’s music. However, I like how she’s exploring different sides of her femininity. To hell with people who criticize her for going from the baggy, goth-like wear to a sexier image. She’s 19 for crying out loud. She should be figuring things out at this age. And fashion is supposed to be fun. I loved that she went from this almost potato sack black outfit at the VMAs to all girly, cleavage-baring, fun, and sultry Hollywood a day later.

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Jennifer Lopez in Ralph Lauren – Ms. Lopez is always going to show up and show out. Although I thought in certain angles the outfit weighed her down a bit and made her seem slightly stumpy (she’s not very tall), and I preferred it without the feathered shoulder shrug, I at least immediately understood the concept. I thought the Western theme was great, and having it designed by an icon of American fashion – that is, Ralph Lauren was the perfect touch.

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Iman in Dolce & Gabbana – You can’t say she didn’t go big. Not sure it really embodies the theme (if I squint a little, maybe there’s some reference to Native Americans) but honestly, it was just great to see Iman at one of these grand entertainment events for the first time in years. Not just showing up but looking fabulous and stunting on models half her age.

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Lupita Nyong’o in Versace – If you’re going to wear denim to one of the leading fashion events of the year, this is the way to do it. Putting aside how stunningly gorgeous the overall look is – the makeup and hair all work perfectly – this is also a beautifully crafted gown. I’m not always the biggest fan of Versace’s red carpet gowns (think they can often veer a bit too in the gaudy, overly shiny lane). However, they nailed it with this one.

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Amanda Gorman in Vera Wang – Admittedly, at first glance, this seems like any ordinary red carpet gown. However, learning more about the inspiration and concept behind the design (hint, it’s inspired by the Statue of Liberty), I’ve kind of come around to it. While a more dramatic headpiece might have seemed too on the nose to reflect the inspiration, it might have also lessened some confusion. It’s never a good sign when the inspiration for a look has to be explained versus individuals getting it right away. Another win for this look is that it was designed by Vera Wang. And terms of classic American fashion, Vera Wang ranks high amongst the greats.

And this leads me to the significant issue I had with the majority of this year’s looks. How do so many take a “could not be more literal” theme such as In America and show up wearing non-American designers? How many Versace, Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, did we get this year? Why weren’t there more Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Betsey Johnson and more? And yes, I know a few of my top looks were by some of these non-American designers.

However, I had no choice, since there were so few amazing looks by American designers. It took Ms.  Lopez to truly understand the damn assignment – that is, celebrate American fashion with a look that represents American culture by a legendary American designer. Folks, this wasn’t that hard. Except, I guess it was.

2016 MET Gala Ball

The 2016 MET Ball Gala was held this past week and is customary every year, it was a parade of amazing fashions that fit the theme of the night, gaudy and awful fashions that had nothing to do with the theme and outfits that were not only bland and boring but also had nothing to do with the theme.

As I noted in my post last year about the Gala, this is the one event where I give leeway for entertainers to be a little over the top and wear something “crazy” on the red carpet. Because it is a costume gala after all. However, it must match the theme of the night, which is where Beyonce ALWAYS fails in my opinion and this year, not surprisingly, was no different.

However, there were quite a few who got it just right in my opinion. And FYI, for anyone who doesn’t know, the theme for this year’s Gala was Manus x Machina: Fashion In The Age of Technology.

Claire Danes – Zac Posen

Well, what hasn’t been said about this gown? I mean talk about just getting it so right. I especially loved the dichotomy of it at first glance seeming like a simple, classic ball gown, complete with Grace Kelly hair/makeup. And then the lights go out and it is sheer, technological genius, complete with LED lights that turned Danes into a glow in the dark vision of perfection.

Zayn Malik – Versace

Yes, on one level it is a basic black Versace suit and the only real technological aspect of the whole look, are the metal, robot-like arm plates. However, that is more than enough in my opinion. The look is perfect because Malik managed to fit the theme without having to go over the top with it.

Emma Watson – Calvin Klein

Fashion-wise, this outfit is just very sleek and interesting and Emma looks absolutely stunning in it. Theme-wise, the outfit was made from recycled plastic, among other eco-friendly and organic materials. Fashion-forward, environmentally friendly and on theme – that’s a total win in my book.

Naomi Watts – Burberry

The details alone that went into this gown, make it a total win. From the glass beads to the handmade metallic yarn flowers, this was a very intricately constructed gown. Also, it’s very beautiful to look at.

Karolina Kurkova – Marchesa

This was quite possibly the most on-theme gown, along with Claire Danes’ Zac Posen. Working with technological giant IBM, the team at Marchesa designed this quirky and whimsical gown to light up in real time. The flowers on the gown changed colors based on the reactions from users on social media to the MET Gala. I mean how freaking cool is that?

Worst Dressed

I don’t often do this for the MET Gala, since as I said, it is the one time I am more accepting of the over the top and crazy. However, I absolutely could not ignore commenting on this mess.

Madonna – Versace 

It has completely and officially happened – Madonna has become that sad, old lady, still trying to prove she’s edgy and cool. No words really…just none. And what was absolutely worse. If she was going to embarrass herself this badly, the least she could have done was be on theme.