The Met’s 2019 costume exhibition is “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay, which defines camp as “love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.” Think: over-the-top shapes, theatrical accessories and anything wonderfully eccentric. The trick in finding the best dressed on tonight’s flashy red carpet is honing in on the shiny people who also brought the fashion along with the camp. See who landed the magical mix.
Lady Gaga
What: Brandon Maxwell
Why: The Camp theme was created for Lady Gaga and she didn’t rest on her meat dress laurels—wearing 4, count them 4, Brandon Maxwell looks all at once (for a minute, at least). A giant pink gown with a doll-like bow, a black strapless gown, a pink slip dress with giant cell phone, and finally, some very chic lingerie with sparkly tights. It was quite a way to kick off the carpet.
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Kylie and Kendall Jenner
What: Versace
Why: These two did not shy from the theme, looking like a cross of something between Vegas showgirls, Lil Kim, and as Kendall’s own Instastories pointed out, the Wicked Stepsisters from Cinderella. But make it fashion.
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Celine Dion
What: Oscar de la Renta
Why: Hardly a stranger to drama, Dion wore a glimmering gown inspired by the glitzy costumes of the Ziegfeld Follies. The entire ensemble is constructed from 18 panels, hand-beaded by 52 master embroiderers over a total of 3,000 hours and weighs over 22 pounds. But somehow she’s owning all that dress.
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Cardi B
What: Thom Browne
Why: Because technically she wore about ten feet of tulle and silk organza of Thom Browne, topped with 30,000 burned and dyed coque feathers—all topped off with a Stephen Jones x Thom Browne hat.
Reference: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/red-carpet-dresses/g27337221/met-gala-best-dressed-2019/
