This years Met Gala theme was “Camp: Notes on Fashion”. Like I was, you may be wondering what in the world is Camp? Well, in Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay titled “Notes on ‘Camp'” she states, “the essence of Camp is its love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration”. There are 58 statements that Sontag made to break down Camp, the first one is a general description basically calling Camp an aesthetic. It’s hard to give an exact definition as Camp is many things, an aesthetic and style of exaggeration, theatre, artifice, irony, ect…Although, Sontag’s essay brought Camp mainstream it is said that Camp comes from the LGBT culture dating back to the 17th century. This is also mentioned in the essay. The “Notes on ‘Camp'” essay is what structured the Met Costume Institute’s exhibition. You can read Susan Sontag’s essay here.
The exhibition is lots of color and you could say it is very “camp” with pink walls, multi colored displays and over 250 objects to see.
You know what else is very “Camp”?…THE MET GALA LOOKS! Below I have listed my favorite Met Gala pink carpet looks (yes, the carpet was pink too!):
First, lets take a look at Zendaya who gave us a fairytale as she came dressed as Cinderella. This was very theatrical fashion because sis gave us a whole production! There was who she called her fairy “Godbrutha” who magically made the Tommy Hilfiger couture gown light up into a glowing blue gown. And it doesn’t stop there, Zendaya also lost a glass slipper!
Janelle Monae nailed the Camp theme, period! I mean come on, she wears many hats *ba dum tsss*.
This gown of illusion was designed by Christian Siriano and the hat(s) by Sarah Sokol Millinery.
The Kardashian/Jenner fam gave me life! Kris looks bomb in a blonde bob by the way. Their men, Corey, Travis Scott, and Kanye were in attendance as well but, my favorite looks I have to go with the sisters. Kylie, Kendall, and Kim looked heavenly! And of course, I’m not exaggerating *wink wink*. Kendall and Kylie were hella “Camp” in Versace while Kim K was literally dripping in Mugler.
Naomi Campbell slayed in a pink Valentino ensemble designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli. Matching the ambiance of the pink carpet, Naomi’s dress embodied a statement in the “Notes on ‘Camp'” essay which says, “The hallmark of Camp is the spirit of extravagance. Camp is a woman walking around in a dress made of three million feathers”.
Lena Waithe and Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss came wearing statements honoring Black culture. Not only did they wear gators for the culture but the details of their suits were for the culture as well. The stripes on their suits were song lyrics representing the message on the back of the suit jackets as well as the custom buttons designed by Johnny Nelson Jewelry on the front. Lena Waithe’s suit says “Black Drag Queens Invented Camp” and her buttons are iconic black drag queens such as; Ru Paul, Dorian Corey, Freddie Pendavis, Paris Dupree, Octavia St Laurent, Willie Ninja, Pepper Labeija, and Venus Xtravaganza. While Kerby’s says, “Fix Your Credit Pool Money Buy Back The Block” and his buttons are some of the most influential rappers of all time; Tupac, Nipsey Hussle, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Nas, Meek Mill, J. Cole, and Drake. Each lyric on his suit are bars from all of them. On the cuffs were also custom buttons of black power fists. Of course, Jean-Raymond who is the designer and founder of Pyer Moss himself designed these and it is the most genius idea of the whole Met Gala 2019.
Ciara came in two looks by Peter Dundas, both with big natural hair representing everything Black and beautiful! The first look was an all black outfit with big afro puffs and slicked down baby hair giving all of Black power. The first look kicked off the Met Gala with a performance featuring Big Freedia. Ciara captioned on her Instagram, “History has been made! First time twerking has ever happened on the Met Gala Red Carpet!”…Yasss, i’m here for it! The second look she was a 70s green goddess inspired by Diana Ross with the biggest hair of the night. Watch the performance and see her first look here.
Halsey was a stunning warrior princess in Atelier Prabal Gurung. In their Instagram caption Prabal Gurung explained the inspiration for Halsey’s Met look with a quote from Susan Sontag’s essay “Notes on ‘Camp'”: “Camp is as well a quality discoverable in objects and behavior of persons” they continue “…our inspiration begins with the very essence of who @iamhalsey is”.
A star was born again when Lady Gaga arrived in not 1, not 2, but 4 looks designed by Brandon Maxwell. Wow. This was a show! She actually transformed into each look right there on the pink carpet! Genius.
There are some honorable mentions like; Lupita Nyong’o for the simple fact that she was the theme of Camp in every way and also did it for the culture with afro picks in her fro by Versace, Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade who shined in Peter Dundas, and Emily Ratajkowski who was a crystal goddess inspired by Cher also designed by Dundas.
Originally published 5/11/19.
