The Met Gala is recognized as the most important night of the year in the fashion industry and thankfully it has come back after its absence during the coronavirus pandemic. Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the gala fundraises money for the costume institute at the museum. The Gala consists of celebrities dressing in bizarre, elaborate, and fantastical outfits that fit the theme given. This year, the gala took place on Monday, May 2nd, 2022. 

Unlike other charity events, the Met Gala is strictly invite only which is based on personal status. Meaning, not just anyone can attend this event. Guests tend to be singers, actors, designers, and celebrities such as Billie Ellish, Blake Lively, Jacob Eledori, Emma Chamberlain, Shawn Mendes, and Alicia Keys. In addition to this, the gala has a theme every year, which is chosen by Anna Wintour, the Chief Editor of Vogue Magazine. The theme of the 2022 Met Gala was “The Gilded Age”. The theme this year and in the past have always brought out definitely the most elaborate and sometimes fantastical outfits made by designers. 

The Gilded Age was a time period from 1870 to 1900, during which huge economic growth took place along with conflict between the old and new ways of life. During this time, women typically wore floor-length dresses, corsets, flared skirts, and long, oversized sleeves. On the other hand, men wore multi-piece suits in a variety of colors. 

Now, let’s see who nailed it and who failed this year’s theme.

It is easy to say that Blake Lively is no stranger to the spotlight, which was noticeable through her outfit change on the red carpet this year. Lively entered the gala in a Versace gown that she later on transformed into a delicately beaded cooper and turquoise dress. This was meant to portray the Statue of Liberty, effortlessly winning best-dressed female.

Similarly, Shawn Mendes was dressed to impress once he showed up to the 2022 Met Gala in a look that had fans going crazy and totally captured the Gilded Age theme. Mendes strutted the red carpet in a Tommy Hilfiger red and navy coat which had his initials embroidered on the inner corner. Later on in the night, Mendes also removed his coat to reveal a smooth, navy suit which was completed with a matching navy turtleneck, making him the best-dressed male in attendance.

For every costume that was dazzling to the eye, there were also some that were frightening to the eye. This year’s worst dressed for the Met Gala were Kourtney Kardashian and Fredrik Robertson 

Kourtney dressed up as a toddler playing dress-up. She wore a very bland white cropped button-down shirt with a nude color skirt over a skirt that was almost like a black slip. The colors together did not go very well, especially the nude skirt. This was in fact Kourtney Kardashian’s first Met Gala however the outfit was not one to remember.

Creative director and fashion-loving Fredrik Robertson totally failed at this year’s 2022 Met Gala look. Robertson walked the red carpet with a strange, porcupine look that made everyone’s heads turn. Although this look did “make a statement”, it was strange and fantastical.  Robertson definitely did not slay the Met Gala this year.