What the "Camp"?! - MET Gala 2019

What is the MET Gala?

Every year, on the first Monday in May, celebrities and designers all flock to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to attend the Met Gala, an annual event to raise money for the museum's costume institute in New York. The gala is invitation only and has become quite an exciting showcase of celebrity fashion.

What does "Camp" mean?

This year's theme was described as "camp" which came from the book "Camp: Notes on Fashion." But what exactly is it? The official Met Gala Instagram described it as "Exaggerated. Extravagant. Gaudy. Ironic. Kitschy. Tongue-in-cheek." The theme is widely open to interpretation, leaving room for much creativity and diversity.

Josephine Skriver in Jonathan Simkhai

My Favorites!

1. Oscar-nominated actress, Saoirse Ronan, wore a red sequin Gucci gown with Phoenix-like feathers embroidered on the side of the dress and flames reaching out from her shoulders. This look is so bold and fierce, and I would love to wear it myself!

2. Lucy Boynton is one of my favorite actresses, who I think has amazing style (post about her style will come soon.) At her Met debut, Lucy wore a pale pink Prada gown with tulle, feathers, and sequins. She dyed her hair aqua, changing it from her usual blonde and wore a pastel flower crown with Harry Winston jewels.

3. Lily Collins channels Priscilla Presley while dressed in Giambattista Valli and Cartier. Lily poses in a white ruffly dress with a sweeping train. She pairs the dress with a bold lilac shadow and flowers in her retro-styled hair.

Most "Camp"

1. It may be surprising for some to see Trevor Noah dressed so plainly and for me to put him under "Most Camp." But, in fact, Trevor Noah is in theme! His plain suit and t-shirt can be described as "ironic" which is indeed "camp." It's safe to say that he played smarter, not harder.

2. Lupita Nyong'o rocks gold afro picks, rainbow wings, and a see-through sequin Versace gown. Her inspiration? Drag queens of course! It's so gaudy but in a good way.

Best Gown Moments

1. Zendaya embraced her inner princess by dressing as Cinderella. This year's look is quite opposite from her Joan of Arc suit of armor from last year's gala. With her light up gown, Zendaya even had the blonde hair and pumpkin carriage as her purse.

2. Hailee Steinfeld draws eyes and cameras in this 'NO PHOTOS PLEASE' gown by Viktor and Rolf which is all tongue-in-cheek. She rocked big fluffy curls and a black bow, adding a camera to complete the look.

3. Ciara is striking in this exposing green gown with sequins and a a feather train. What's even more impressive is her larger-than-life hair!

Best Glitz

1. Constance Wu poses elegantly in Marchesa. Her custom dress is draped in trompe l'oeil pearls and crystals. It's not exactly "campy," but it's classy, glamorous, and beautiful.

2. The queen, Anna Wintour, stunned in a glitzy Chanel gown and large feather cape designed by the late Karl Lagerfeld. A very fitting dress for Vogue's editor-in-chief.

3. Gemma Chan gives ice queen vibes in this metallic Tom Ford dress. Her towering headpiece with shiny flowers and jewels is inspired by Elizabeth Taylor.

Best Male Looks

1. Ezra Miller really shows what excess is with his trippy makeup. Ezra wore a pinstripe suit that extends into a train and a diamond corset. He also flaunted a mask of his face, possibly rivaling Jared Leto's decapitated head.

2. The newly oscar-winning actor, Rami Malek, posed separately on the pink carpet from girlfriend, Lucy Boynton. Rami's outfit lineup by St Laurent includes a velvet blazer, sparkly shirt, and black-and-red striped boots. He also wore an 18-karat Cartier brooch.

3. Lastly, we have one of this year's host, Mr. Harry Styles, dressed in Gucci. He showed out in a sheer top with jabot styled lace ruffles at the front and black high-heeled boots.

A dress I designed myself that is inspired by the Met Gala 2019.

I had fun searching through endless photos of celebrity royalty, in search for the best "camp" outfits. I really loved this year's theme. "Camp" just shows that it's not to be taken very seriously; it's just for fun and to fulfill your extravagant fashion dreams. I really loved the looks this year and cannot wait to see what next year has in store!

-Katelyn Cao