The First Monday of May
When Met says “Fashion is Art”, it isn't asking for pretty gowns, it’s asking for intention.
Every year, the Met Gala announces a theme that feels bigger than the ball gowns they wear. And, this year’s theme leans into the idea of fashion as art, it expects construction, expression, and form, not just styling and trends. At least, that’s the idea.
Honestly, this is my favourite theme, it is so open to interpretation and ideas. The body doesn’t only become a canvas, but also becomes a medium, and that’s where things get slightly complicated.
Okay, Met Gala has a pattern:
Theme is announced
Interpretations are imagined
Vogue releases an article on what they are expecting to see
The night finally comes
Vogue releases “get ready with me” videos
We see: Safe, expensive, beautiful gowns with vague references
Let’s leave aside, lame gowns. My worst nightmare would be calling printed fabric “Inspired by a painting”, calling corsets “sculpted and structured”, or calling a long train “theatrical”. The theme says art, the carpet often says aesthetic. I wouldn’t even be surprised if someone shaved their eyebrows and dressed up as Mona Lisa.
Who do I think understands the theme, and honestly only want to see is?
Even though last Met Gala Zendaya did not catch my eye, she is one of the few who consistently commits to the narrative, and the best part is she makes them look intentional.
Kendall is more interesting here than people give her credit for, in the past decade there hasn’t been a year where she missed a Met Gala, and neither does she miss the theme. Her references are always on point (like the Audrey Hepburn reference at the 2021 Met Gala), and most importantly she makes simplicity feel architectural rather than basic. If she commits, it could be sharp.
Jacob Elordi, the Bottega boyyy. Jacob and Bottega are probably my favourite muse-brand relationship. There is risk, there is art, there is precise craftsmanship, above all there is a strong presence.
Talking about bimbos from our last blog, I really wish to see someone unusual, Sonam Kapoor. Her references are beyond just looking good, and she is someone who genuinely understands art. From the interiors of her house (which was in AD) to her choice of designer for her wedding outfit, Anuradha Vakil (someone not very well known in the world of internet, but highly respected in the world of art), her references are always on point.
Okay, I am sort of gambling on this, but I think Connor and Hudson have the potential to completely miss the point or unexpectedly deliver something interesting, which honestly, is the appeal. They kinda sit perfectly in between internet culture and fashion.
The Met is not just about the celebrity and styling, which means the houses matter more than ever.
In my opinion, Balmain could go very literal with their intentions, with their strong structures, their new rhinestone compositions, if done right it could lean into sculpture.
Bottega, a house that is more subtle but their strength lies in materials, texture, construction and craftsmanship. They could interpret art through their exploration in different mediums, which can be minimal but deeply considered.
And then there is Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, a completely different approach is being presented here. They go beyond decoration and into something more architectural and cultural, offering the intricacy and cultural depth that’s often overlooked in the Met Gala. This can be slightly biased, but as an Indian, I think seeing Sonam Kapoor, in Abu and Sandeep, styled by Rhea Kapoor might be my dream come true, if it happens.
If you are reading this, in four days you are gonna watch the met gala, and everyone will show up dressed, and somewhere in between there will be very few that show up with a point, and it’s very important to acknowledge them.
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