- By Sukanya Saha
- Tue, 25 Apr 2023 01:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Met Gala is the most significant event in the fashion industry, attracting leading figures not only from the world of glamour but also music, film, art, and more. Therefore, given the enormous scale of the event, some degree of controversy is almost inevitable.
From fashion risks to daring fashion statements, and even surprise guests, the Met Gala is always full of excitement. There is never a dull moment during the event, and one thing is for sure - the Met Gala will leave us talking long after the celebrities have left the Met steps and entered the halls of the art museum.
Bold fashion statements at the Met Gala often do more than simply grab attention; they create Twitter memes and trends that make headlines across the world. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, here are 10 of the most contentious moments from the Met Gala's history on the red carpet.
Kim Kardashian, 2022
(Image credit: Twitter)
The most controversial look at the Met Gala 2022 was when Kim Kardashian wore the infamous dress from Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" performance in 1962. After much speculation online, the reality TV star put an end to the rumours by appearing on the red carpet wearing the extremely fragile garment, which had been loaned from Ripley's "Believe It or Not!" museum. To add to the controversy, the museum also gifted Kim a strand of Marilyn Monroe's hair!
Kim only wore Marilyn's original dress for a brief moment on the red carpet before changing into a replica to enter the actual event. Although she made a considerable effort to wear the dress, it did not match the theme of the event, and her weight loss methods, which she mentioned casually on the red carpet, added to the controversy. Ultimately, her decision to wear the iconic dress for just a few minutes raised questions about the necessity of the stunt.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 2021
(Image credit: Twitter)
During the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" themed Met Ball, AOC wore a Brother Vellies gown designed by Aurora James. The dress featured the controversial message "Tax the Rich" printed across the back. While some praised the dress, others criticized it for being performative or inappropriate. Despite the mixed reactions, AOC stood firm in her decision to wear the gown.
Kim Kardashian, 2021
(Image credit: Twitter)
Initially, many people were perplexed by Kim Kardashian's all-black outfit from Balenciaga at the 2021 Met Gala, and there were various theories about its inspiration. Some speculated that it was not related to the theme of American fashion history at all.
Others suggested that the outfit was meant to highlight Kim's iconic silhouette, which has become a part of American fashion history. However, Kim herself offered a different explanation on her Instagram, suggesting, "What’s more American than a T-shirt head to toe?!")
Katy Perry, 2019
(Image credit: Twitter)
Katy Perry's interpretation of Camp at the 2019 Met Gala involved her dressing up as a human chandelier, which was quite unusual and unexpected.
Katy Perry, 2019
(Image credit: Twitter)
To conclude the camp-themed night, Katy Perry changed out of her chandelier outfit and into a cheeseburger costume, which became the subject of much discussion, whether positive or negative.
Rihanna, 2018
(Image credit: Twitter)
This outfit worn by Rihanna at the 2018 Met Gala, which was themed "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" and designed by Maison Margiela, is considered one of her most iconic looks. The outfit was so daring that Anna Wintour was afraid it might offend some members of the Catholic Church who were in attendance that night.
Katy Perry, 2018
(Image credit: Twitter)
Katy Perry is known for going above and beyond when it comes to interpreting the Met Gala's themes, and in this instance, she wore a towering Versace gown that caused a stir due to its feathers. The dress was so large that she had difficulty getting through the door.
Kendall Jenner, 2017
(Image credit: Twitter)
Kendall's 2017 Met Gala look drew a lot of attention, especially considering the sheer dress trend that Beyoncé and J.Lo had already popularised on the red carpet. However, her La Perla dress sparked even more discussion due to allegations of copying Rose McGowan's similar back-baring dress from the 90s. Additionally, Kendall faced some unfortunate slut-shaming comments.
Rihanna, 2015
(Image credit: Twitter)
When Rihanna arrived at the 2015 Met Gala, everyone was amazed by her outfit designed by Guo Pei, a well-known Chinese designer. However, after the event, memes started circulating on social media with people comparing the intricate cape of her dress to various things such as an omelet, a pizza, and even the yellow brick road. Despite the memes, her outfit still remains one of the most iconic in Met Gala history.
Sarah Jessica Parker, 2015
(Image credit: Twitter)
Sarah Jessica Parker is renowned for her ability to perfectly capture the themes of the Met Gala each year. However, in 2015, some felt that she went too far. Specifically, her choice of a Philip Treacy headpiece for the Chinese-inspired theme of the night was bordered on cultural appropriation. She wore an H&M dress with the headpiece.