The 2019 Met Gala took place last night, which explains why your social media feed is flooded with photos of celebrities in outrageous outfits. This year the theme was "camp," but not "camp" like boy scout uniforms and merit badges; camp as defined in Susan Montag's famous 1964 essay, a "love of the unnatural, of artifice and exaggeration."
Naturally, that involved bucking gender stereotypes.
"Camp taste draws on a mostly unacknowledged truth of taste: the most refined form of sexual attractiveness (as well as the most refined form of sexual pleasure) consists in going against the grain of one’s sex," Montag wrote in her essay. "What is most beautiful in virile men is something feminine; what is most beautiful in feminine women is something masculine."
Actor Michael Urie, best known from the TV show Ugly Betty, donned a gender-defying look that absolutely nailed the theme. The Christian Siriano ensemble was like a fabulous version of the Batman villain Two-Face: half strapless pink tulle ballgown (with half a necklace), and half sleek pinstriped suit (with half a bow tie.)
Urie's makeup was also impressive. The male half was bare with stubble, while the female half was shaved, with lipstick, foundation, eye shadow and mascara. His hair was half styled as well, and he sported one dangly earring.
On Instagram, Siriano shared an image of the outfit and wrote, "You can be your own prom date no matter who you are!" (Oh, if only I would have known this in high school.)
Hey, we've all been there before, right? Standing in front the closet for hours, trying to decide between the poofy ball gown and the stylish suit. Why not split the difference? Best of both worlds! On Twitter, people raved about the schizophrenic look.
Every year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City throws a formal extravaganza to raise money for the Costume Institute. It's not a costume party per se, but attendees are encouraged to dress to the nines in the style of the exhibition. The 2019 theme is "camp," as defined in Susan Montag's famous 1964 essay, Notes on Camp: a "love of the unnatural, of artifice and exaggeration."
Sounds like a lot of fun, right? Well, good news! Tickets are only $35.00! Wait. Whoops, sorry. Mixed up the decimal point there. Tickets cost $35,000, with tables ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Also, it's invitation-only, with a guest list of about 550, according to the New York Times. But don't worry! If you're not a 'chosen one,' you can still enjoy the stunning fashion through the internet!
This year the event is hosted by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, creative director of Gucci Alessandro Michele, tutu-wearing tennis star Serena Williams, One Direction singer Harry Styles, and Academy-Award winning crooner Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga.
In Gaga's show-stopping entrance, she wore four amazing outfits, including sparkly black undergarments and an outrageous cape dress. Not to be outdone, Harry Styles rocked a jaw-dropping ensemble that flouted gender norms: a sheer lace pirate-esque Gucci top accessorized with chunky heels and an earring. On Twitter, fans were delighted and "deceased."
The Met Gala is famous for pushing boundaries on fashion’s biggest night, but one guest this year took things even further.
Following appearances from stars like Nicole Kidman, Lauren Sanchez, and Gigi Hadid, it was Heidi Klum who stole the spotlight with a truly eye-catching entrance.
Klum's outfit captures imagination of the fashion world
With this year’s theme, “Costume Art,” and the dress code “Fashion is Art,” leaving plenty of room for creativity, the 52-year-old leaned fully into the brief, arriving in a look that resembled a living statue.
Fans quickly flooded social media with reactions. One person joked: “Heidi Klum found a second Halloween in the Met Gala.” Another added: “She is on theme and she can repeat this for her Halloween party,” while a third said: “I love how she brings Halloween spirit to everything.”
Still, not everyone was convinced. One critic wrote: “This is genuinely disturbing,” while another admitted: “I can’t move on from this.”
Klum is no stranger to the Met Gala, having attended multiple times over the years, often embracing bold and theatrical outfits. She’s arguably even more famous for her elaborate Halloween parties, where she regularly transforms into dramatic, almost unrecognizable characters, famously turning out as Medusa last year.
The theme of Klum's outfit explained
The theme itself was also explained by Andrew Bolton, who said: “The title ‘Costume Art’ refers to the history of the Costume Institute.” He added that fashion holds “the status of art because of, and not in spite of, its relation to the body.”
This year’s event featured a star-studded host committee, including Anthony Vaccarello and Zoe Kravitz as co-chairs, alongside names like Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Angela Bassett, and Sam Smith.
The exhibition tied to the event will run from May 10 through January 10, continuing the celebration of fashion as an art form.
Meanwhile, the 2026 gala marked a shift behind the scenes, as Anna Wintour stepped back from her long-held role at Vogue after 37 years. She has long been credited with transforming the Met Gala into the global spectacle it is today, one that continues to draw A-list regulars like Rihanna, Blake Lively, and Zendaya.
Even with changing leadership, the event remains one of the biggest nights in fashion—and, as Klum proved, still full of surprises.
Before Lady Gaga blew our minds with her Academy Award-winning singing, she was famous for her outrageous fashion sense. At the 2019 Met Gala - aka the annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute- the superstar proved she's still got it. In her show-stopping entrance, she rocked four outfits - yes, four! Sadly, none of them were meat dresses, but they're still pretty spectacular.
This year the theme for the event was "Camp," which Susan Montag's 1964 essay defines as "love of the unnatural, of artifice and exaggeration." Gaga's outfits certainly fit the theme.
Outfit #1
Her first look? An outrageously voluminous fuchsia cape gown with a 25 foot train. Beat that poof, Princess Peach!
Outfit #2
Underneath that Pepto Bismol-colored cloud, Gaga sported an elegant black dress, with a matching umbrella, because you never know when you might need to Mary Poppins the hell out of a party.
Outfit #3
The Shallow singer then stripped to reveal sparkly black undergarments. I assume they were just plain black undergarments until Gaga put them on, and made them sparkle through the sheer power of her fabulous soul.
Outfit #4
Finally, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta changed into a Barbie pink column gown, with the perfect accessories: Sassy sunglasses and a Zack Morris cell phone.
The Met Gala just began, but the bar for sartorial excellence has been set high! We'll have to wait and see if any other stars can compete.
Last year, the gala's theme was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. Barbadan singer Rihanna stole the show with a crystal and pearl-embellished Maison Margiela gown, which she accessorized glittering Popal mitre hat. Many fans loved the ensemble, although some Catholics found it offensive.
The Met Gala is one of the biggest nights for fashion, and every year the stars all bring their A-game to the red carpet.
The theme for 2024 was 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion', and of course, it gave the celebrities in attendance plenty to work with.
From huge floral creations, to dresses made of sand, here are all the best looks from the Met Gala 2024 red carpet.
Zendaya's red carpet looks never disappoint. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Zendaya undoubtedly stole the show as she rocked this blue and green couture gown.
The Euphoria star's taffeta look was completed with a matching headpiece and a bunch of grapes hanging from her waist, but it was her dramatic makeup that really made the look what it was.
She opted for a dark lip and eye combo that really made the whole thing pop.
Kim Kardashian's striking look was topped off with a woolly jumper. Credit: John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
Kim Kardashian's take on the theme was a silver corset paired with a net skirt covered in floral embellishments, with a woolly jumper thrown over her shoulders to complete the look.
Her hair was left in loose waves, giving the ensemble an air of casual - but everyone was talking about her minuscule waist.
Tyla's sandy look made sure all eyes were on her. Credit: Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Tyla's sand gown was the one everyone was talking about, as she appeared to be wearing nothing but a covering of sand as she walked the carpet.
She completed the look with a sand timer in place of a handbag, and while it was definitely a memorable outfit, videos of the night showed her having to be carried up the stairs as it wasn't the easiest to move in.
Nicki Minaj never strays from rocking a bright color, and her Met Gala look was no exception.
She made sure all eyes were on her in bright yellow, with her gown being adorned with several large, colorful flowers, while her hair was styled in a blunt black bob.
Lil Nas X opted for a muted look on the red carpet. Credit: John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
While Lil Nas X went for a rare muted color, his look was anything but boring thanks to sparkles and stitched-on panels.
He completed the outfit with a matching dye-job on his hair and fierce nails too.
Lana Del Rey's ethereal look was completed with a huge headpiece and veil. Credit: Gotham/Getty Images
Known as the queen of ethereal fashion, this theme was pretty much made for Lana Del Rey.
The singer arrived in a nude gown adorned with brown 'roots' creeping up from her skirt, which ended in a large headpiece with a veil covering her face.
There was no missing Cardi B in this huge gown. Credit: Arturo Holmes/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Cardi made sure all eyes were on her arrival by rocking one of the biggest gowns of the night.
Though it was a relatively simple black design, the sheer scale of the skirt made for a very impressive red carpet moment.
Ed Sheeran switched up 'black tie' in pastel blue. Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Known for keeping it casual, Ed Sheeran dressed up for the Met Gala, but gave his look his own twist.
He ditched classic black tie for a pastel blue suit with satin accents, and kept his bedazzled dickie bow untied and slung around his neck.
Cara Delevingne's look was serving medieval knight realness. Credit: Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
When you have the Met Gala at 7 but a medieval joust at 8 was the look Cara Delevingne was serving when she took to the Met Gala carpet.
She paired a slinky white skirt with a chainmail top with an attached hood, and while it was one of the more unusual looks of the night, there is literally nothing the model can't pull off.
Doja Cat kept it casual in a long, wet T-shirt dress. Credit: John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
Doja Cat opted for a long, wet, white T-shirt dress for her turn on the red carpet, which she paired with clear platform heels as well as make-up resembling tear-stained mascara.
The singer struck a careful pose for photographers in which she strategically held onto the material so it fell in all the right places.
Ariana Grande's nymph-like look was simple but classy. Credit: Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Ariana Grande channelled her inner flower fairy for her red carpet look, as she kept it simple in a floaty white gown with a corset top.
Her make-up made the look what it was, with large embellishments next to her eyes.
Demi Moore's huge floral gown did not come to play. Credit: Gotham/Getty Images
Demi Moore may have had to pay for three seats to the Met Gala to accommodate her dress (we assume), but it would have been well worth it for this photo moment.
Her black gown featured a large pink floral motif, which carried over into a statement pair of 'wings' adorned with arrowheads.
Jennifer Lopez looked a million dollars in this bejeweled gown. Credit: John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez gave the naked dress trend a seriously classy twist as she opted for a sheer gown with delicate silver sparkly embellishment, which ended in a train behind her.
She kept her hair up in a top knot to let the gown take centre stage, and looked a million dollars.
The couple slayed in their daring outfits. Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Director Taika Waititi went for chocolate brown leather from neck to toe, from his suit, to his, shirt, tie, and even his shoes.
The bold look did nothing to detract from his wife Rita Ora's dress, however - which was more of a necklace.
The singer rocked a full nude mesh bodysuit with bejeweled tassels cascading from her neck to her feet.
Featured image credit: Bauzen/GC Images/Getty Images
Last night's Met Gala saw a host of celebrities come together at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to celebrate one of the biggest nights in fashion history. This year's theme was inspired by the legacy of the late German designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away in 2019.
Lagerfeld is hailed as one of the industry's all-time greats working with notorious brands such as Chanel and Fendi before leaving perhaps his biggest mark in fashion with his own line.
This year, celebrities took to the beige carpet to give us their take on the theme - "a line of beauty" - and while some may have missed the mark (yeah, I'm talking about all those men that turned up in lame tux's again) we're here to celebrate those who absolutely served us looks.
Take a look below...
Kim Kardashian
Credit: Doug Peters / Alamy
Up first we have Kim Kardashian - of course.
The notable social media personality turned up to the event in a custom Schiaparelli ensemble covered in pearls which is the perfect nod to Lagerfeld's love for the jewel.
Speaking to Vogue during a livestream, Kardashian said: "I thought, 'What is more Karl?' You know, the iconic Chanel pearls is what I always thought of. So we wanted to just be dripping in pearls."
Florence Pugh
Credit: Doug Peters / Alamy
Florence Pugh stunned audiences as she stepped out in a gorgeous strapless Valentino gown paired with a bold headpiece. The Don't Worry Darling actress also debuted a buzzcut much to the surprise of fans, but it works - everything about this look just works.
Pedro Pascal
Credit: Jennifer Graylock/Alamy
The internet's latest obsession, Pedro Pascal attended the event in a bright, red Valentino 'fit paired with chunky-soled boots and a tight slick back. Let's just say, this image of Pascal won't be leaving our minds any time soon.
Dua Lipa
Doug Peters / Alamy
Singer-songwriter Dua Lipa showed up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a vintage Chanel dress with a statement necklace and a simple but distinct makeup look - a true form of elegance and sophistication.
Viola Davis
Credit: Abaca Press/Alamy
Now, Viola Davis is amongst the brave opting for a vibrant hot pink Valentino gown with a feather fountain top. And her man just turned up in a plain tux so that all eyes can be on his wife. That's nice of him.
Penelope Cruz
Credit: Doug Peters / Alamy
Another stunning vintage Chanel gown was on display via Penelope Cruz.
The dress featured a double-layered tulle skirt, white pearl buttons, and silver sequin embellishments including the iconic brand's CC logo. Cruz paired the look with silver peep-toe heels and a sheer hood.
Kristen Stewart
Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy
Kristen Stewart, ladies, and gentlemen - the epitome of androgynous Largerfeld-esque fashion.
Yung Miami and Sean "Diddy" Combs
Credit: UPI/Alamy
Yung Miami and Diddy did not come to play. Pearls, feathers, glitz and glamor. Thank you for blessing us with this look.
Bella Ramsey
Credit: Doug Peters/Alamy
Bella Ramsey made their debut on the beige carpet with this stunning Thom Browne three-piece.
The Last of Us star was described to be smiling throughout the entire event, even snapping their own photos with a camera. We stan!
Lizzo
Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy
Lizzo appeared in New York in a gorgeous black split-leg Chanel gown dripping in pearls. The 'Good as Hell' singer doubled down on the jewel with her choice of almond toe boot as well as her chunky jewelry.
Later on that night, she also surprised fans with a performance at the Temple of Dendur which included a flute solo too!
Stormzy
Credit: Doug Peters / Alamy
Now, if you spotted this beautiful midnight blue color dotted about the red carpet, it's because a whole bunch of British artists turned up to the fashion event sporting Burberry. And while there were some other great 'fits on display - yeah, Burna Boy, I'm talking about you - Stormzy really commanded that spotlight in this classic, yet totally bold two-piece.
Anne Hathaway has always been a fashion queen, but recently she's been getting the attention she deserves for constantly serving us the best looks. The 40-year-old actress showed off her grace and beauty in this Atelier Versace tweed gown held together by golden safety pins. Only Hathaway has the capability of making such a tacky accessory such as pins look so chic. We stan.
Gigi Hadid x Givenchy, an iconic collaboration if we ever did see one. While the entire sheer look was incredible, the statement was made by the flowing lace train in the back. Simply beautiful!
Lil Nas X
Credit: Sipa US/Alamy
Lil Nas X is known for making wild statements at events and, yet again, he did not disappoint. The Old Town Road singer snatched wigs the second he stepped onto the scene wearing nothing but a metallic thong, silver body paint, and thousands of Swarovski crystals and pearls covering his entire body, including his face.
Other honorable mentions include the likes of A$AP Rocky, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, and Cara Delevingne.
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