We believe it is safe to say that this year’s Met Gala was somewhat of a snooze fest. Even the theme itself was underwhelming. Many of the outfits felt either unnecessarily extra (even for the Met), poorly executed, or boring because we’d seen it done before (many times). Still, there were a handful of stars who stars killed their looks on the Red Carpet worth mentioning. Here is what our own Sydney Stewart and Cameron DeLoatch think were the best and worst looks at this year’s Met Gala.
Best Dressed
SS: Zoë Kravtiz. Adorned in a see-through, crystal-studded, Saint Laurent slip dress and matching crystal-studded thong, Kravitz did what needed to be done with the utmost class and sophistication.
CD: Laura Harrier. I really liked the look that Laura wore. Her custom Altuzarra gown was well done. The metallic-gold shining fabric was undeniably eye-catching, but still managed to avoid being loud or obnoxious. The dress also fit her frame perfectly – not too tight and not too loose. To top it off, her accessories added a skillful layer of detail to the outfit. Laura’s look was one of the most elegant outfits.
SS: Frank Ocean. Perhaps I am biased as a fan, but Frank Ocean is the second shining star. I believe everyone is always thrilled at Frank Ocean appearances, seeing that they come few and far between; but dressed in a timeless, all-black suede three-piece Prada suit paired with a contrasting white tee and accessorized with pieces from his newly-launched American luxury jewelry label… How could we not celebrate this ensemble? Adding onto this already well-executed outfit was the unforgettable slime green baby doll named “Cody” who wore a diamond grill and a custom Homer onesie. I mean, you can’t beat that.
CD :Yara Shahidi took the Met Gala as a chance to pay homage to singer-actress Josephine Baker. As folks say these days, she understood the assignment. The ‘Grown-Ish’ star wore a custom strapless, beaded gown by Christian Dior. Her floor-length gown featured a train and was paired with a sleek belt, elbow-length gloves, and a diamond necklace. And, if you didn’t know, Shahidi is also a global ambassador for Dior. Yara Shahidi was easily one of the best dressed at the Met Gala.
CD: Megan Fox went back to back like the 2012-2013 Miami Heat with her VMA and Met Gala looks. The actress showed up to the red carpet outfitted in a ruby red gown made by Dundas. The gown had a train in the back, a slit up her left thigh, and a barely-there criss-cross pattern on the front. Her gown was covered in red jewels, making Fox pop in any hint of light. She also wore her hair with bold bangs and a long pony tail going down her back. The red lipstick, earrings and shoes completed the look. Megan Fox definitely had one of the most impressive looks at this year’s Met Gala.
Worst Looks
SS: Naomi Osaka. Naomi Osaka was among one of the worst dressed of the night as far as aesthetics go. Learning the context and inspiration for Osaka’s attire contributed to my understand and appreciation, but the overall look did not feel complete. The dress itself – a custom Louis Vuitton corseted frock – sported many colors, a bold jacquard graphic print, and was topped off with a broad, silk, ruffled cape, which didn’t do much for me as a whole. I believe the look attempted to compile quite a lot of concepts, but in turn, it just became over the top… in a bad way..
CD: Ciara. Honestly, it pains me to say this. But man, Ciara wasn’t it. I get that she’s married to Russell Wilson, who is an amazing quarterback (easily top 3 or 4 in the NFL), and he’s probably an even better husband and father, but that Seahawks green with the “3” just wasn’t the vibe. The whole shoulder pads element made the dress even harder to deal with. Great gesture, but she could’ve kept that in the closet.
SS: Lil Nas X. As bad as I wanted to love it, Lil Nas X is also a part of my worst dressed of the night. The singer sported three different looks and none of them landed. Perhaps I am beating a dead horse, but I truly believe that less is more and that going big is commendable when it’s well executed. All of the ensembles were missing something. Sophistication, maybe? Overall, each outfit was a miss.
CD: Kid Cudi. Once again, it pains me to say this, but Cudi was looking crazy at the Met. Kid Cudi has been a pioneer to fashion, especially in the Hip-Hop community. His individuality has allowed him to be one of the more successful rappers out there, but his outfit at the Met Gala wasn’t a success. The eye shadow, the hair, all kind of looked thrown together. I feel like Cudi was trying to make more of a splash than actually dressing the part. It was giving Fortnite vibes.
In conclusion though, the Met Gala is always special occasion to see the creativity of all various designers and to see different figures in the culture wear these pieces. Even though this year wasn’t the best, it certainly wasn’t the worst. We can’t wait to see what next year’s Met Gala brings!