What to Expect at the 2022 Met Gala
The Met Gala has never fallen short of drama, extravagance, reinvention, and innovation. However, I truly believe that this will be a year of the prosperity of fashion in its most refined form: gilded glamour.
I shamelessly squealed when the theme of this years mat gala was released. Although receiving an invitation of my own is not quite realistic yet, I delight in living vicariously through those who opened the invitation, in all its grandeur, and read the fine print at the bottom revealing the theme: “In America: An Anthology of Fashion”. I believe there will be many interpretations of the theme — as expected — yet a major showing of the prosperity, cultural revolutions, and industrialization of Gilded Age New York. During this period, not only did the world seemingly develop overnight, but so did fashion. Think Age of Innocence or The Social Graces. I imagine ruffles, silk, velvet, lace, soft shimmery jewel tones, and bountiful accessories.
Why an “Anthology of Fashion”? Shortly after the Gilded Age, Vogue was founded. Fabric production during this period was advanced and a magazine was created to document the development of fashion through the 1800s and for the rest of time. At this Gala I expect a collection of what was displayed in that first magazine yet modernized by McQueen, Dior, Laport, Dundas, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Guo Pei, and Giambasttista Valli. I predict a Bridgeton style ball adorned with heavy and precious metals, wet drapery techniques, and maximal accessories. The bigger the better in dresses, ruffles, and hair represents America is its rawest form.
Addressing individual guests and their designers, I would love to see Anna Wintour as the “Queen” of the Gala, wearing Oscar de la Renta with elements of Lagerfeld as a tribute, yet shifting away from the matronly patterns and shocking the world in royal tones and an unusually conducted gown. Wintour drops jaws with cohesive, sleek, and timeless looks, yet I was to see innovation from the host herself.
If America was a brand, Calvin Klein, Tom Ford, and Ralph Lauren would have full reign. Think Kate Moss, Brooke Shields, denim, horse ranches, and old money. How fabulous would it be to see a play on Gilded Age glamour, modernized and developed through each decade. The materials are all cohesive — silk, satin, lace. All we need is the designers to execute. This is the perfect opportunity for a Neoclassical spin one higher Anthology of Fashion that we all need to see.
Honorable mentions go to mixed metals, using hair as the accessory of the night, and the Beiber’s first Met Gala together. I also expect Guo Pei’s construction and color scheme to display a diverse yet perfectly fitting interpretation of the theme.
It’s almost time for the best day of the year and the anticipation is killing me! More later!
xoxo,
Annie
