The 2021 Met Gala took place on Monday, September 13. This night was a continuation of the anticipated fashion event following the cancellation of the 2020 Met Gala due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a night of glitz and glamour, influencers and celebrities in the pop culture world came to flaunt the work of fashion’s biggest brands.

The Met Gala is a fundraising event for the Costume Institute, a section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to fashion. Sponsors, like Abington alumnus Stephen Schwartzman, chair the event. Furthermore, an immense part of the fundraising comes from the celebrity attendees, with tickets at an astounding price of $30,000 apiece. However, most celebrities do not pay for their tickets. Instead, fashion brands will buy tables for around $275,000 and invite celebrities to wear their clothes and attend the event on the brand’s behalf. Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue and the chairwoman of the Costume Institute, also invites up-and-coming designers as a way to promote the new faces of fashion.

This year, attendees were asked to dress for the theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.” Frankly, this year was a disappointment compared to the extravagance and luxuriousness of the past Met Galas, but there were still a few shining gems. Here is my rank for the two “Top” and two “Flop” looks of the night:

Top 1: Quannah Chasinghorse in Dundas

Quannah Chasinghorse is an awe-inspiring 19-year-old fashion model. Her look was inspired by her roots as a Native American woman from Alaska and South Dakota. Growing up, she felt underrepresented in the fashion community, a view often shared amongst many minorities. Today, she’s taking the fashion world by storm by representing the pure beauty of her culture and ancestry. 

I think Quannah matched the theme outstandingly. Native American culture is one of the deepest parts of American society but is so poorly underrepresented. Her gold dress is elegant and clean, and she looks powerful with her ancestral jewelry and tattoos. Overall, Quannah’s look was incredibly meaningful and fiercely beautiful. 

Flop 1: Hailee Steinfeld in Iris Van Herpen and Jimmy Choo

Hailee Steinfeld is a prominent musician and actress,  with roles in movies such as the Pitch Perfect franchise, the upcoming Marvel show Hawkeye, and The Edge of 17. Usually a brunette, Hailee is almost unrecognizable here.

In my opinion, not only does the outfit have no connection to the theme, it’s generally unpleasant to look at. It reminds me of a sea creature. The color is bland and her hair and makeup are nothing special either. Overall, this look is just lackluster and confusing. I have no idea how it resembles America’s fashion legacy.

Top 2: Nikkie de Jager in Edwin Oudshoorn

Nikkie de Jager, also known as NikkieTutorials on Youtube, is a well-regarded beauty influencer. She is openly transgender and an active advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Her dress honors transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson, who fought for LGBTQ+ rights in a time of immense stigmatization and discrimination. The ribbon on the skirt of the dress reads “Pay No Mind,” which is the response Marsha P. Johnson had for anyone questioning her gender. 

I think this dress is beautiful and not overdone, unlike some other Met Gala looks. The meaning behind the dress is even more important, as it proves how the fight for transgender advocacy as well LGBTQ+ advocacy as a whole is still ongoing. To put this message on display is brave and inspiring. I think this dress ties in with the theme amazingly, as it connects the past and the present into one united fight for freedom and justice: two things America was built on. 

Flop 2: Natalia Bryant in Conner Ives

Natalia Bryant is the eldest daughter of Vanessa and the late Kobe Bryant. At 18, she is making a name for herself as a model and recently appeared on Teen Vogue. Her dress was inspired by 60s style designs by Conner Ives.

I love the makeup and hair but the dress leaves me confused and wanting an explanation. It reminds me of an Easter Egg and the glitter looks tacky and childish. I would go as far as saying that it seems like a dress a child would wear. I do not see vintage in this nor signs of America. It is honestly just odd– and not in a good way. Her hair is beautiful and her makeup is elegant, but the absurd and bizarre shape of the dress ruined the look.

There were countless other looks during this Met, but these were just a few of my picks and thoughts. The Met Gala is an event of high fashion and is open to all opinions. Fashion is so popular because of its fluidity and creativity. This year, I felt the theme was not followed as a whole and the looks were more a result of the designers’ own creative choices. However, it is good to see some sense of normalcy in fashion following the damage COVID-19 caused. I am excited to see what looks future Met Galas will bring to the table. 

Works Cited

Bjornson, Greta. “YouTuber ‘NikkieTutorials’ Says 2021 Met Gala Dress Was a Tribute to Trans Icon Marsha P. Johnson.” People, people.com/style/nikkie-tutorials-met-gala-2021-dress-meaning/. Accessed 29 Sept. 2021.

Vogue. “Met Gala 2021 Red Carpet: See Every Celebrity Look, Outfit and Dress Here.” Vogue Fashion, www.vogue.com/slideshow/met-gala-2021-red-carpet-live-celebrity-fashion. Accessed 29 Sept. 2021.