Give me Your Invitation, I'll do it Right!

When we think of the Met Gala, we envision glamour, paparazzi flashes, and opulence. This event, known as 'fashion’s biggest night out,' was created in 1948 as a benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The first Gala was a midnight dinner with a modest $50 entry fee. Over the years, it has transformed into a high-profile event, with the most influential figures in fashion, music, art, and society gracing the guest list, all dressed in custom couture following the year's theme.

In 2017, the theme for the Met Gala was Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between. The event was supposed to reflect the avant-garde designs of Kawakubo and play on the shape and design of its wearer. There is a considerable amount of significance behind this theme that goes beyond beautiful garments and celebrity. Rei Kawakubo is one of the most influential female designers, having been in the fashion industry since 1973 when Comme des Garçons was founded. Additionally, Kawakubo is not from any of the western capitals and made a name for herself while being a Japanese designer, which, in fashion, is a difficult feat to accomplish. Therefore, honoring Kawakubo’s legacy at the Met Gala would be an uplifting moment for female designers and those from diverse backgrounds. 

Although the Met Gala theme is explained to its attendees every year, some still miss the mark on what to wear. An example of this from the 2017 Met Gala was Kim Kardashian in Vivienne Westwood. Kim chose to go with a simple, clean, white look to reflect her new mindset after her traumatic Paris robbery. Although the dress she wore was beautiful, it was lackluster and very similar to what she wears to less formal occasions. Kim could have honored Kawakubo while following her new-found aesthetic by emulating a look she wore for one of Kanye West’s Donda performances, which featured her as a bride but with a very loose gown and waist-length veil covering her face. The dress preserves her under-the-radar look while paying homage to the avant-garde DNA of Kawakubo's designs.

Balenciaga created this particular garment, but to stay within the theme of the Met Gala, Kim should work with Junya Watanabe. Watanabe is another prolific Japanese designer heavily inspired by Kawakubo and is actually her protege, closely working under the Comme des Garçons label. Together, they should create a look that blends the Balenciaga gown with a Watanabe piece from SS03, featuring the same ivory crepe fabric from Balenciaga but adding industrial elements with the harness detailing on the Watanabe gown. The harness can wrap around the dress's skirt loosely so as not to bunch the fabric but still bring a utilitarian feel to a wedding dress, which is an out-of-the-box concept and very Kawakubo. The waist-length veil should be made of chiffon to keep Kim’s face slightly hidden and follow the flowy, almost boxiness of the dress. A pair of ivory knife pumps would pair well with the look and keep it from being a traditional bridal look. Given the time this Met Gala occurred and Kim’s personal preferences, she would not wear any jewelry. Even her hair and makeup should be kept simple with a low slicked-back ponytail and natural makeup if she decides to remove the veil.

A celebrity that was noticeably absent from the 2017 Met Gala was Kim’s former husband, Kanye West. At the time, he was an influential style icon, and if he made an appearance with Kim, it would make them appear more united than ever during their times of trouble. Minimal but interesting streetwear pieces can characterize Kanye’s style. His Yeezy collections have featured distressed shirts, oversized silhouettes, and perspex heels in neutral palettes, showcasing how Kanye enjoys playing with the human form. For the 2016 Met Gala, Kanye was dressed by Olivier Rousteing for Balmain in an embellished silver jacket, white t-shirt, distressed jeans, and brown boots. For a carpet like the Met Gala, this is a bold move, but it sticks true to what Kanye believes- to push the boundaries of what is acceptable.

Considering Kanye’s design preferences and personality, he should also be dressed by Junya Watanabe. Besides the song lyrics he has previously dedicated to Watanabe, the avant-garde but minimal looks reflect what Kanye would enjoy wearing. He should be styled in a look that Watanabe just released for FW23, which features an army-like vest, tight long sleeve, and oversized cargo pants. Although this collection was released after the Met Gala, Watanabe has previously done similar looks for men, and with Kanye’s creative direction, they would probably agree on this design. 

Instead of having the look in all black, Kanye should be matching with Kim in an all-ivory ensemble. Not only does it create a cohesiveness between their looks, but it also acts as symbolism with their life events. After the horrific incident that Kim faced, they are reborn and are now wearing all light colors to signal their purity and a new way of thinking. For shoes, Kanye should wear a pair of his 950 Yeezy boots, which reached an all-time high in popularity in 2017. As for his grooming, he can keep his hair neat, have a clean beard, and have a natural eye color. This look would pay homage to Kawakubo and reflect even more of her design philosophy by pushing the limits of what is allowed on the world’s most famous red carpet. After all, Kawakubo designed with the intention of comfort for the wearer and discomfort to the beholder, and if anything, Kanye’s look does exactly that.

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who hails from Brazil, was one of the co-chairs for the 2017 Met Gala. She was the world’s top model from 1994 to 2015 when she retired. In previous years, Gisele opted for more traditional dresses that were very flattering on her body. However, as a co-chair, following the theme is more significant than the average guest, and in 2017, she chose a safer option that did not pay much homage to Rei Kawakubo. Although Bundchen looked terrific in the gown she chose, the abstractness and energy of Comme des Garçons could not be felt. 

Understandably, a supermodel such as Gisele wants to wear dresses that cling to her body, but this can still be achieved with a design from Comme des Garçons. For Fall 2007, Kawakubo designed skirts and tops that feature a pair of 3-D hands gripping the wearer. These pieces are very form-fitting and invoke an image of sensuality. This particular design is something that Gisele would feel comfortable wearing and stays true to what she enjoys on her body. The look from 2007 ends the skirt at the ankle, but to fit on the red carpet, a chapel-length train would compliment the look. Instead of keeping the garment white, Bundchen can work with Kawakubo to make it black, which would suit her personal preference more. For her hair, she can do loose waves in a side-swept style just to keep her signature beachy aesthetic alive. Also, Gisele looks best with fresh, clean makeup, so she should work with her makeup artist to emulate that look. As for accessories, it is essential not to draw away from the gown's details, so a simple pair of gold earrings from Comme des Garçons would work well. For shoes, black open-toe heels would add to the allure of the whole look. 

The Met Gala’s impact on fashion and the arts is undeniable. Every year, we look to see who made the cut for an invitation and judge their looks behind our screens. Even though most of those walking the carpet will never know who we are, we still impact how they are perceived and determine the success of their look. In a way, the Met Gala lets us feel as if we are on the inside of one the most elite events of the year while not leaving the comfort of our homes. It is a phenomenon that can only be attributed to the celebrity craze that Anna has brought to the gala. Even more so with social media, we feel like fashion insiders for one day, and along with the rest of the acclaimed fashion critics, we share how we feel. 

It is impressive that although phones are forbidden inside the Met Gala, we can still see so much of what happens. Somehow, it feels even more special when we get a snippet of what’s beyond the carpet due to the taboo associated with it. Keeping the Met Gala exclusive is part of the ethos of the event, and to be invited, you have to earn it. Plenty of civilians have the means to purchase a ticket, no matter how expensive, but do they really have a reason to be there besides hoping for celebrity of their own? Probably not.