I feel like since the last few Met gala themes have been over the top, attendees just assume that's what's expected at this event. I know it was a very broad theme but it seems like very few people stuck to it. I expected a lot of American designers and was surprised by all the European designers there (especially Rihanna who usually follows the theme). Also not a fan of many of the attendees. The Met gala was always touted as exclusive and now they seem desperate to get the hip young crowd that has nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with vying for attention. I feel like most of the attendees being under 25 isn't some great thing to brag about (maybe I'm just old and bitter being nearly 29). I can't imagine a royal or former first lady attending this event anymore. I don't get the politicians and political statements there either (AOC wearing a tax the rich dress at an event full of rich tax dodgers is either rather clever or incredibly stupid and tone deaf). I don't agree with gatekeeping in fashion but it just seems like most of the people attending don't care about fashion or the exhibit, but I guess as long as the museum gets its money. Also seeing Tik Tok stars wearing couture while I've been obsessed with fashion for so long and have never even gotten a chance to look at couture in a museum or own high end clothing just makes me irrationally angry. The Amelio sisters (I honestly don't know who half these people are) seem like they're poised to be the next Kardiashians if E Network has anything to say about it.
I imagine this year’s attendees didn’t look as diverse in terms of age because we are still in a pandemic. Probably a lot of the older attendees are still reluctant to attend such a crowded event or travel - Jennifer Aniston said she isn’t attending the Emmys for that reason. Either that or they’re not vaccinated. If you look at the 2019 event, yes there was a younger demographic, but there were also a lot of older guests from different industries. There were still plenty of over-30s this year: Isabelle Huppert, David Byrne, Audra McDonald, Whoopi, Emily Blunt, Sienna Miller, Erykah Badu, Claire Danes, Serena Williams, Ava DuVernay, Regina King to name a few. In the early ‘00s they invited 3LW, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jessica Simpson… it was just a much smaller event. Also, influencers and reality TV stars didn’t exist. We are simply living in a different time. That being said, Chloe Sevigny, Kirsten Dunst, Liv Tyler, Sarah Jessica Parker… those are the celebrities I looked forward to when I first discovered the Met Gala and I miss their presence. I think some of them have grown out of it or think it has become a bit of a circus. Even Beyoncé hasn’t attended since 2016. But it’s funny looking at the older threads from the 2000s and people complained then about the guest list and not following the theme. It’s just an endless cycle.
In terms of the theme, I don’t think it was that bad? A lot of the attendees were inspired by individual Americans which surely counts for something. Emily Blunt (Hedy Lamarr), Keke Palmer (Diana Ross), Halle Bailey (Tina Turner), Gemma Chan (Anna May Wong), Yara Shahidi ( Josephine Baker), Isabelle Huppert (Divine)… whether they wore American designers or not. But I think there was a pretty strong showing for American designers (lots of Thom Browne, Bode, Prabal Gurung, Batsheva, Ralph Lauren, Christopher John Rogers, Altuzarra, Area, Oscar de la Renta). Sure there was a lot of Valentino, Versace, Saint Laurent and Chanel but that’s because they buy the tables. That’s just how it works.